10 Fun and Empowering Summer Activities for Tween Girls

Help Girls Build Confidence, Kindness & Connection All Summer Long

Summer is the perfect time to take a break from the pressure of school—and lean into joy, creativity, and self-discovery. For tween girls, these months can be a golden opportunity to build confidence, deepen friendships, and explore who they are without all the noise. And with just a little intention, you can turn everyday summer fun into powerful moments of growth and empowerment.

Whether you're planning a girls' group, summer camp session, community workshop, or just looking for meaningful activities to do with the tween girl in your life, these 10 ideas will help her shine inside and out.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Summer is a powerful time for confidence-building and connection

• Empowering activities can be fun, simple, and deeply impactful

• The best experiences combine creativity, reflection, movement, and kindness

• You don’t need a perfect plan—just a safe space and a supportive guide

1. Power Pose Pool Party

Before diving into the pool or running through the sprinklers, gather the girls for a quick body language lesson. Teach “power poses” (hands on hips, standing tall, arms in the air) and talk about how our posture affects how we feel. Strike your best superhero stances and say affirmations like “I am strong,” “I am brave,” or “I am enough.” Add music, laughter, and lots of sunscreen.

2. Sidewalk Affirmation Art

Grab chalk and decorate a driveway or sidewalk with colorful self-love messages like “You are magic” or “Confidence lives here.” Have girls add their own affirmations or kind words to passersby. It’s part art project, part community kindness movement—and totally Instagram-worthy.

3. DIY Confidence Journals

Set up a journaling station with notebooks, stickers, markers, and washi tape. Give girls reflection prompts like:
What makes you feel powerful?
What’s something brave you did this year?
What do you love about being you?
This simple, quiet time invites powerful self-discovery—and the journals become keepsakes of their growth.

4. Real Friend Picnic & Conversation Cards

Plan a friendship picnic at a local park and bring along some friendship-themed conversation starters. Topics like What makes a real friend?, How do you handle drama?, and How do you show up for others? turn snack time into a heart-to-heart that strengthens group connection.

5. Confidence Scavenger Hunt

Create a summer-themed scavenger hunt where girls search for items or complete confidence challenges like:

• “Find something that makes you smile”

• “Share a kind word with someone in your group”

• “Say one thing you love about yourself”
  Turn playtime into a confidence-boosting adventure.

6. Compliment Confetti Game

Give each girl a stack of mini notes or colorful sticky tabs. Have them write down kind words or affirmations for each girl in the group, then decorate a mirror, wall, or poster board with their “compliment confetti.” Everyone walks away feeling celebrated—and covered in kindness.

7. Brave Girl Skits

In small groups, have girls create short skits around themes like standing up for yourself, handling peer pressure, or supporting a friend. Let them perform for the group and reflect on what confidence and courage look like in everyday life.

8. Self-Care Spa & Shine Circle

Set up a fun DIY self-care station with face masks, cucumber water, and nail polish. While relaxing, guide a Shine Circle where girls each share one thing they’re proud of and one kind thing they’ve done this summer. It's a beautiful balance of fun and reflection.

9. Kindness Rocks Project

Have girls paint colorful messages on small rocks and leave them around your community—at parks, playgrounds, or even on doorsteps. Messages like “You matter” or “Keep going” spread love and remind girls of the impact of small acts of kindness.

10. Vision Boards for the School Year Ahead

As summer winds down, invite girls to create vision boards for the upcoming school year. Include goals, affirmations, dream friendships, and how they want to feel. This helps girls enter the fall with clarity, excitement, and a sense of power over their own path.

Ready to make this summer one she'll never forget? The Summer Workshop Kit: 4 Confidence-Boosting Workshops to Help Girls Shine All Summer Long is your go-to guide for leading meaningful, joyful, and empowering sessions for tween girls. With done-for-you lesson plans, reflection prompts, printable materials, and fun activities, this kit makes it easy to help girls build self-esteem, strengthen friendships, and create memories that last long after summer ends.

Let this be the summer of self-love, sparkle, and fearless fun. You’ve got this—and your girls do too. Which activity will you try first? I’d love to hear what lights up your group!

- Kate