Fun & Free Growth Mindset Word Search for Kids

This Growth Mindset Word Search is a great activity to reinforce these essential life skills to help kids thrive.

Discover creative ways to use this word search activity with growth mindset themes with your kids and how to get your FREE printable today!

Growth Mindset for Kids Is SO Important!

When you stop and think about what you want your kids to learn the most, what are your initial thoughts?

Sure, academic subjects are essential. Math, reading, and writing are must-haves. And, of course, history and science are crucial.

But, what happens when your kids struggle with one of these academic subjects? Because, at some point, each child will find a concept or skill difficult to learn and master.

Some kids face challenges with no problem whatsoever. In fact, they look at challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.

Other kids perceive a small challenge and shrink into a small ball of fear and tears.

That's where growth mindset skills can make a HUGE difference for all learners. These growth-oriented, challenge-facing, I-can-do practices take kids from deer-in-headlights to let's-do-this!

But, here's the thing:  even kids that SEEM to got this growth mindset thing covered can STILL falter when they finally face a challenge that's overwhelming or strange or out of their comfort zone.

So, my point is that ALL kids can benefit from learning, practicing, and cultivating growth mindset skills.

How does one go about teaching growth mindset skills to kids? Aah! That's an excellent question.

As a former mental health therapist (and current mom of five boys who range from Kindergarten to high school), I have found kids need a variety of ways to be introduced to, understand, and apply growth mindset skills. The best ways to teach kids about having and using a growth mindset include:

• Stories
• Videos or movies
• Music
• Real-life experiences
• Hands-on activities
• Written work (coloring, writing prompts, copywork)

Below are a few of our favorite growth mindset for kids resources:

The Girl Who Never Made MistakesI Can't Do That, YET: Growth MindsetYour Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape ItMistakes That Worked: 40 Familiar Inventions & How They Came to BeThe Dot (Creatrilogy)Bubble Gum BrainBeautiful Oops!Hello Brain?: A Book About Talking To Your BrainThe Most Magnificent ThingWhat Do You Do With a Problem? - New York Times best sellerMaking A Splash - Growth Mindset for KidsBig Life Journal: A Growth Mindset Journal for ChildrenBig Life Journal, Second Edition: A Growth Mindset Journal for ChildrenBig Life Journal - Teen Edition: A Growth Mindset Journal for Tweens & Teens

Growth Mindset for Kids Coloring Activities

Growth Mindset Cootie Catcher

Growth Mindset Conversation Cube

Growth Mindset Quotes for Kids

Growth Mindset Copywork Pages

Growth Mindset Copywork Mini-Book

Brilliant Benefits of Word Search Activities for Kids

Word puzzles have recently become huge hits with my boys. We've been enjoying them for holiday and seasonal learning fun.

Now, I'm working on new printable word search activities for kids that incorporate essential growth mindset skills and academic themes.

Word search activities provide kids with excellent opportunities to practice:

• Spelling
• Pattern recogntion
• Visual tracking
• Persistence (an amazing growth mindset skill!)
• Patience
• Word recognition
• Focus and attention
• Reading
• Dealing with new challenges
• Self-confidence

I think the best part about this growth mindset word search is how it reinforces the concepts. When used with intention (see below), your kids can repeat the words and talk about what each word means. This printable activity can be a fabulous way to spark fun conversations about growth mindset skills.

Why a Word Search is a Perfect Activity for Reinforcing Growth Mindset Skills

As noted in the above list, a word search gives kids the chance to really learn about the words and concepts behind growth mindset. 

Spelling is a common challenge for many kids (and adults!). Word search activities gently force kids to truly think about the word, how it is spelled, and to pick out the letters from a crowd. In essence, word searches make kids focus in their effort to find the correct arrangement of letters.

While working on a word search puzzle, kids are having fun and also working on growth mindset skills like:

• Resilience
• Confidence
• Effort
• Grit
• Experiment (You've got to try different rows and columns, etc.)
• Creativity (So, you usually start at the top left corner? Maybe you need to start at the center? Or bottom right corner?)

Intentional Ways to Use This Growth Mindset Word Search Activity

Want to make sure you get the most out of this growth mindset word search activity with your kids? Here are a few creative ideas for using this printable activity with intention and fun:

• Provide your kids with fun writing utensils like crayons, erasable pens, markers, and highlighters.
• Better yet, let your kids think of creative ways to complete this word search! Maybe you can laminate the printable and give them some playdough. Let them use playdough "snakes" to cover the words and make a rainbow of completion 🙂
• Play some growth mindset music in the background while your kids work on this activity. Here's a YouTube list of songs with growth mindset themes.
• Give your kids a sticker or stamp (or other fun reward like eraser or pencil) when their growth mindset word search is done.
• Invite your kids to brainstorm more growth mindset words and jot them down on the back side of the paper.
• Another fun way to use the blank side of this printable activity is to encourage your kids to doodle a picture of what growth mindset means to them.

Geddes Miles O'Smiles Tip Topz Pencils - Set of 24Fun Express - Emoji Pencil - Stationery - Pencils - Pencils - Printed - 24 PiecesColor Changing Mood Star Pencils, Set of 24, Assorted Colors40 Bulk Star Stacking Pencil Bright Colored AssortmentLight Bulb Sharpener, 24 Per Unit ~ Approx. 2.5PILOT FriXion ColorSticks Erasable Gel Ink Stick Pens, Fine Point, Assorted Color Inks, 10-Pack (32454)Vanstek 15 Colors Retractable Erasable Gel Pens Clicker, Fine Point(0.7), Make Mistakes Disappear, Premium Comfort Grip for Drawing Writing Planner and School SuppliesScotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, 100-Pack, 8.9 x 11.4 inches, Letter Size Sheets (TP3854-100)Play-Doh Bulk Winter Colors 12-Pack of Non-Toxic Modeling Compound, 4-Ounce CansPack of 2100 Happy Face Smiley Stickers, ¾Emoji Stickers Happy and Fun Face Labels 1 Inch 500 Total Adhesive StickersXIAOYAO Stamps for Kids, Party Favors, 26 Pieces Assorted Stamps for Kids Self-Ink Stamps, Easter Party Favor for Kids (Emoticon)

Reminder:  The printable is open-and-go and can be easily added to a take-home folder for your class, morning work, or activity for early finishers.

Get Your Free Growth Mindset Word Search for Kids

Want to give your kids a fun activity to reinforce growth mindset skills? Grab this FREE growth mindset word search!

Includes one PDF (printable) page of Growth Mindset Word Search Activity.

You certainly may print out as many copies of this word search with growth mindset themes that you need. If you have a friend, family member, or co-worker who you think would benefit from this activity, I ask that you please share the link to this post. Your sharing is appreciated!

(Hey hey! Current RYHS members just need to access the Subscriber Freebies page and enter the password in your welcome email. If you have any questions or problems, please email rockyourhomeschool@gmail.com)

When you join the Rock Your Homeschool community, you’ll receive this printable activity in a PDF format in an email, in addition to a password to unlock the freebies in our Subscriber's Library.

You’ll also get emails with ideas and encouragement to make life and learning fun.

Get your FREE Growth Mindset Word Search for kids by tapping HERE or on the image below to subscribe and get your printable activity 🙂

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