A while back, my husband started sending ‘Thought for the Day’ quotes to our family Whats App group. I’m not sure if the kids read every single one of them – but I think some made their way through. And I loved them!
Here I’m including some of our favourites.
Each thought for the day (with meanings) below is perfect for parents, teachers – or even kids themselves to pick and choose from!
The simple ideas these thoughts portray can really have an impact on a child’s mindset – encouraging both positive actions (such as kindness) and a sense of self-belief.
Thought for the Day – with Meanings
Choose a thought for the day with explanation from our favourites listed below!
These thought for the day quotes can encourage children to stay motivated and believe in themselves, even when faced with challenges. Whether you’re looking for inspirational quotes for students, or discussion points with your kids – we have you covered.
We’ve noted a simple meaning beneath each thought, to help you think or talk about the message behind it.
Thoughts for Kids About Being Brave and Courageous
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” – A.A. Milne
Meaning: Don’t underestimate your abilities. You have more courage and strength than you realize.
“Every day is a new adventure waiting to happen.” – Anonymous
Meaning: Look forward to each day; there are always new opportunities ahead of you!
” I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela
Meaning: Conquer your fears; don’t let them control you
“Being nervous is not something you should be ashamed of. Nervous means you care, you really want to do well.” – Paula Creamer
Meaning: Feeling nervous is normal and, unless they overwhelm you, can be a good thing!
“Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let fear stop you.” – Bethany Hamilton (American Champion Surfer)
Meaning: Feel the fear and do it anyway!
“The greatest mistake you can make is to be continually fearing that you’ll make one.” – Elbert Hubbard
Meaning: Don’t let fear of making mistakes hold you back
“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” – Duke Ellington
Meaning: Rise to the challenge
Thought for the Day Quotes on Positivity
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” – Jimmy Dean
Meaning: Do what is within your control; let go of what is outside of your control
“Don’t judge yourself each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Meaning: Give more than you take
“Always be a little kinder than necessary.” – James M. Barrie
Meaning: Everyone needs to be shown kindness
“Do your little bit of good where you are: it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” – Desmond Tutu
Meaning: It’s not always about big gestures; do what you can
“It’s all about the journey, not the outcome.” – Carl Lewis
Meaning: Don’t fixate on an end goal too much; enjoy the present
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
Meaning: When you enjoy what you do, work feels like fun. Find something you love and do it with all your heart.
“Kindness is one thing you can’t give away. It always comes back.”
Meaning: What goes around, comes around; positivity breeds positivity
“In a growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening. So rather than thinking, oh, I’m going to reveal my weaknesses, you say, wow, here’s a chance to grow.” – Carol Dweck (psychologist)
Meaning: Embrace those challenges – they’ll help you develop as a person
“The only one who can tell you ‘you can’t win’ is you and you don’t have to listen.” – Jessica Ennis-Hill
Meaning: Don’t listen to that negative voice
“Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.” – Dalai Lama
Meaning: Sometimes the world has other ideas for you; what you want isn’t always what’s best for you
“The principle is competing against yourself. It’s about self-improvement, about being better than you were the day before.” – Steve Young
Meaning: Always strive to be better then you were yesterday
“The most sincere compliment we can pay is attention.” – Walter Anderson
Meaning: Give others your time
“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you in trouble, It’s what you know for sure that ain’t so.” – Mark Twain
Meaning: Stay open-minded and curious
“Attitude is the ‘little’ thing that makes a big difference.” – Winston Churchill
Meaning: Your attitude to something can make all the difference
“Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you.” – Mary Lou Retton
Meaning: Positivity breeds positivity
“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” – Steve Jobs
Meaning: Believe in yourself; reach for the stars
Thoughts for Kids on Determination
“If something stands between you and your success, move it. Never be denied.” – Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
Meaning: Be pro-active and determined
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle
Meaning: Ensure you’re disciplined with creating those good habits!
“I always try to start out with some type of goal. Then I work backwards and think of what I need to do to get there and give myself smaller goals that are more immediate.” – Kristi Yamaguchi (Figure Skater)
Meaning: Small, consistent, steps will get you there
“It always seems impossible until it is done.” – Nelson Mandela
Meaning: Don’t be defeated before you’ve begun: there is a way!
“There is always going to be a reason why you can’t do something; your job is to constantly look for the reasons why you can achieve your dreams.” – Shannon Miller (Gymnast)
Meaning: Don’t make excuses; be positive
“There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” – Derek Jeter
Meaning: Work hard and commitment will get you there
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan
Meaning: Keep going. Those who find success have likely failed many times beforehand
“You dream. You plan. You reach. There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work, with belief, with confidence and trust in yourself and those around you, there are no limits.” – Michael Phelps
Meaning: Always believe in yourself
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German writer)
Meaning: Be bold, be pro-active
“Don’t compare yourself to others. Be your own competition.” – Anonymous
Meaning: Measure your progress by what you can do today that you couldn’t do yesterday
“One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals.” – Michelle Obama
Meaning: Stay focused on your own goals
“Be so good that they can’t ignore you.” – Steve Martin
Meaning: Leave an impression; make your mark
“Champions keep playing until they get it right.” – Billie Jean King
Meaning: Don’t give up
Easy Thoughts for the Day – Perfect for Younger Kids
Looking for an easy thought for the day for a younger child? These short and simple thoughts are easy to understand and perfect for younger kids.
As well as being great for use at home, they’re also perfect as a ‘thought of the day’ for kids in school – ideal for morning assemblies and classroom discussions .
“Kindness is free, so spread it everywhere you go.”
“Believe in yourself, and you can do anything!”
“Every day is a new chance to learn something amazing.”
“Sharing is caring—always be ready to share.”
“A smile is the best gift you can give someone.”
“Treat others the way you want to be treated.”
“Listening is as important as speaking.”
“A positive attitude brings positive results.”
“The more grateful you are, the happier you become.”
“You can be anything you want to be—just believe in yourself.”
“Helping others makes you a hero.”
“The more you give, the more you receive.”
“Patience is the key to success.”
“Teamwork makes the dream work.”
The Power of Simple Daily Thoughts
Whether it’s at home or in the classroom, sharing a thought of the day with kids can be powerful. It can motivate and inspire and give them a boost when needed!
If you found these quotes useful, you might like the following posts:
45 Inspiring Adventure Quotes for Kids
45 Motivating Growth Mindset Quotes For Kids
How to Have a Champion Mindset: 32 Quotes on Winners Attitude to Motivate Kids
