10 Empowering Activities for Tweens That Build Confidence Without Cringe

Fun, Real, and Totally Age-Appropriate

Confidence-building for tweens can be tricky. They’re not little kids anymore, but they’re not teens yet either. They crave independence, but still need reassurance. And most of all—they can spot a “cringe” activity the second it walks in the room.

So how do we help tweens build real, lasting confidence… without the eye-rolls?

By keeping it real. By focusing on voice, choice, and identity. And by creating activities that feel more like fun with purpose than another school lesson. When we meet tweens with curiosity, creativity, and genuine care, they open up—and they grow.

Here are 10 empowering activities that tweens actually like—because they help them explore who they are and how to show up in the world, no glitter-glue pep talks required.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Confidence-building for tweens should feel fun, real, and reflective—not forced

• These activities support self-expression, identity, voice, and social confidence

• Perfect for after-school groups, classrooms, or weekend retreats

• Low-prep, high-impact, and totally tween-approved

1. My Strengths Decoder Wheel
Give girls a blank wheel or pie chart with sections labeled “Things I’m good at,” “Things I care about,” and “Ways I help others.” Let them fill in each slice with words or drawings. This visual reminder of their strengths is empowering and fun to decorate.

2. Confidence Playlist Party
Have tweens each submit one song that makes them feel strong, happy, or seen. Build a group playlist, press play, and let them dance, draw, or write while listening. Bonus: talk about the lyrics and why they chose their songs.

3. Real-Life Superpower Cards
Each girl designs a card for herself with her “real-life superpower”—like making people laugh, being a good listener, or staying calm under pressure. Share them, swap them, or make a wall of awesome.

4. “I Am / I’m Learning” Flip Book
Create mini flip books with two sides. One says “I am…” for qualities they already see in themselves. The other says “I’m learning to…” for goals and growth areas. It shows that confidence and growth can coexist.

5. Positivity Pals
Pair girls up and have them write kind notes, compliments, or affirmations for each other. Not forced praise—just real encouragement. Switch up partners every week to build group connection.

6. Stand Up / Speak Up Scenarios
Use simple, age-appropriate “what would you do?” scenarios like:

• Your friend gets left out of a group

• Someone says something mean on social media

• You don’t agree with your friend but don’t want to argue

Have them act it out or journal about how they’d respond. Confidence isn’t just self-talk—it’s action, too.

7. Brave Moments Jar
Set out a jar and slips of paper. Whenever a girl does something brave—asks a question, tries something new, shares an idea—she writes it down and adds it to the jar. Read a few aloud each week to celebrate everyday courage.

8. Selfie Sketch Challenge
Have girls draw a selfie (stick figures totally welcome!) and label it with traits they love about themselves—on the inside and out. Let them be silly, honest, and creative. Then hang them up as a gallery of uniqueness.

9. 1-Minute Leadership Role Plays
Give girls short, silly prompts like “Lead a group of lost puppies” or “Teach a new student how to be kind on the first day.” These low-stakes scenarios build speaking confidence and spark leadership skills in a playful way.

10. Compliment Tag
Start with one girl giving a genuine compliment to someone else in the group. That girl then tags the next person with another compliment, and so on. Keep it fast-paced, low-pressure, and full of kindness.

Confidence grows when girls feel like they matter. When their voices are heard, their ideas respected, and their quirks celebrated. These activities help tweens build that inner trust without the pressure to “perform confidence” or be someone they’re not.

Want more ready-to-go empowerment activities created just for tweens?

The FearlesslyGiRL Program Kits include beautifully designed sessions, printable workbooks, reflection tools, and confidence challenges—so you can lead a powerful group with zero stress.

Thanks for showing up for this amazing age group. The world needs more confident, compassionate girls—and you’re helping them get there, one moment at a time.

– Kate