Summer Empowerment Toolkit: Must-Have Activities for Girls

Confidence-Boosting Tools to Help Girls Shine, Connect & Grow All Summer Long

Summer is more than a break—it’s a beautiful window of time to help girls reconnect with themselves, build meaningful friendships, and grow their confidence in ways that feel light, fun, and totally empowering. Whether you’re planning a summer camp, running a workshop series, or looking for powerful moments to sprinkle into everyday life, having a go-to toolkit of activities makes all the difference.

The key? Keep it playful, purposeful, and heart-centered. These girl-approved activities will help you lead with ease while creating lasting impact—and unforgettable memories.

💡 Key Takeaways

• The best empowerment activities blend creativity, conversation, movement, and reflection

• Girls grow most when they feel safe, celebrated, and connected

• You don’t need a complicated plan—just a few intentional tools and a whole lot of heart

• This toolkit is designed to help girls feel proud of who they are and excited about who they’re becoming

1. "I Am" Affirmation Banner

Have each girl decorate a strip of paper with affirmations about who she is: “I am kind,” “I am creative,” “I am enough.”Connect all the strips into a colorful banner that you can hang as a reminder that confidence lives here. It’s a beautiful way to build group pride and individual self-worth.

2. Brave Girl Bucket List

Let girls brainstorm their “brave goals” for the summer—things that stretch them in small, empowering ways. Trying a new activity, speaking up, standing up for a friend, starting a passion project—big or small, it all counts. Track progress and cheer each other on every step of the way.

3. Kindness Rock Garden

Give each girl a rock to paint with a positive message or affirmation. Once they’re dry, place them around the community or in a shared kindness garden. This activity teaches girls that small acts of encouragement have ripple effects—and that their voices matter.

4. Real Friends Reflection Circle

Use prompts like “What makes a real friend?” or “How can I be a better friend to myself and others?” to open up meaningful conversations. Girls can share in a circle or write privately in journals. Add calming music and tea lights to create a cozy, open-hearted space.

5. Confidence Collage Vision Boards

Let girls cut out words and images from magazines to create a collage that represents their strengths, dreams, and the kind of energy they want to carry into the new school year. Bonus points if you add glitter, stickers, or a special frame to make it feel extra inspiring.

6. Compliment Chain Reaction

Each girl writes a compliment to the person next to her, then that girl passes it on with another compliment to someone else. Keep it going until every girl has received and shared kind words. By the end, the room is full of connection, smiles, and warm fuzzy feelings.

7. Self-Care Spin Wheel

Create a DIY spin wheel with different self-care practices like:

• Dance it out

• Take 5 deep breaths

• Say 3 kind things to yourself

• Write a gratitude list
  Girls take turns spinning and completing their mini self-care moment. It’s a playful way to teach emotional regulation and self-nurturing habits.

8. Group Gratitude Journal

Start a group journal where each girl adds something she’s grateful for at the end of every session. Read a few aloud to close each workshop with reflection and warmth. Gratitude builds resilience, connection, and joy—all summer long.

Want all of these activities (and so many more) in one beautifully designed, ready-to-use resource? The Summer Workshop Kit: 4 Confidence-Boosting Workshops to Help Girls Shine All Summer Long has everything you need to run powerful, playful, and empowering sessions for girls. It includes full workshop plans, journaling prompts, creative projects, and printable tools—so you can lead with confidence and heart without starting from scratch.

You’re creating something unforgettable this summer—and your girls will feel it. Let me know which activity your group loves most—I can’t wait to cheer you on!

-Kate