Helping children understand who they are and what matters to them is an essential part of emotional and social development. One of the most effective ways to build character is by teaching core values early. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or counselor, having a list of values for kids or a list of core values for kids makes it easier to guide meaningful conversations about kindness, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of values, ideas for teaching them, and ready-to-use values worksheets for kids and values activities for kids that encourage reflection and growth.

Why Teaching Values to Kids Matters

Values shape the way children make decisions, treat others, and view themselves. When kids learn core values early, they develop:

• Stronger self-awareness
• Better decision-making skills
• Healthy relationships
• Empathy and kindness
• Confidence in their beliefs

Values aren’t taught in a single lesson — they are practiced daily through conversations, stories, routines, and example.

Social-emotional learning books can complement lessons on values by showing kids how characters practice kindness, honesty, and perseverance. For instance, Kindness Is My Superpower encourages empathy and reinforces positive behaviors, helping children see core values in action.

List of Values for Kids

Here is a broad and kid-friendly list of values for kids that can be introduced at home or school:

• Kindness
• Respect
• Honesty
• Responsibility
• Gratitude
• Perseverance
• Empathy
• Courage
• Fairness
• Generosity
• Cooperation
• Patience
• Self-control
• Creative thinking
• Leadership
• Curiosity
• Compassion
• Integrity
• Inclusiveness
• Teamwork

List of Core Values for Kids

If you’re looking for a smaller, more focused list of core values for kids, these five form a strong foundation:

1. Kindness

Understanding how our actions affect others.

2. Respect

Treating people, property, and oneself with care.

3. Responsibility

Taking ownership of actions and commitments.

4. Honesty

Telling the truth and being trustworthy.

5. Perseverance

Not giving up when tasks feel difficult.

These core values help children build character, resilience, and strong relationships.

Values Worksheet for Kids (Printable-Friendly Ideas)

If you need a simple and engaging values worksheet for kids, use the templates below. They work well for classrooms, counseling sessions, SEL lessons, or homeschooling.

Worksheets can be paired with storybooks to make values tangible. Listening Is My Superpower helps children practice paying attention, understanding others, and reflecting on how listening connects to values like respect and empathy.

Worksheet Idea #1: “My Top 5 Values”

Kids circle or write the five values that matter most to them.

Prompts:

• Why is this value important to you?
• How do you show this value at school or home?

Worksheet Idea #2: “Values in Action Chart”

A weekly chart where kids record how they practiced a value each day.
Columns include:

• Value of the week
• What I did
• How it felt

Worksheet Idea #3: “My Role Model & Their Values”

Kids choose someone they admire and list the values that person demonstrates.

Worksheet Idea #4: “Value Sorting Activity”

Kids categorize values into groups such as:

• Personal values
• Social values
• Learning values
• Family values

These worksheets help kids reflect, understand, and apply values in daily life.

Values Activity for Kids (Fun, Hands-On Lessons)

Use these engaging values activities for kids to make learning fun and memorable.

For families and classrooms, using a collection of SEL storybooks can reinforce multiple values in an engaging way. The My Superpower Books Collection offers stories about kindness, listening, and perseverance, providing practical examples for children to apply values in daily life.

1. Values Scavenger Hunt

Kids search around the classroom or home to find examples of values in action (e.g., someone sharing → generosity).

2. Story Reflection Activity

After reading a book, ask:

• What value did the main character show?
• What choices demonstrated that value?

3. Role-Play Scenarios

Present situations like:

• A friend drops their supplies. What value can you show?
  This builds empathy, cooperation, and problem-solving.

4. “Value of the Week” Challenge

Choose one value each week. Kids earn points or stickers for demonstrating it.

5. Values Art Project

Kids create posters or drawings that represent their favorite values.

These activities make values meaningful, practical, and accessible for children of all ages.

Final Thoughts

Teaching values is an ongoing process that helps shape who children become as friends, students, leaders, and community members. With a strong list of values for kids, a focused list of core values for kids, and engaging values worksheets for kids and values activities for kids, you can guide children toward kindness, responsibility, empathy, and confidence.