Optimism scenarios for kids: 12 situations to practise positive thinking

By the Life Scenario team · Updated · For children 6–14

These 12 situations start with something going wrong: a team that keeps losing, a forgotten pyjama day, homework left at home. Read one and ask what your child would tell themselves in that moment, then whether there is a more hopeful way to see it that is still true.

The losing streak still hurts in these scenarios, and the forgotten homework is still forgotten. What a child practises is finding one thing that could still go right and one thing they could do about it, without pretending the problem away.

The scenarios were written by the Life Scenario team together with child psychologists, and each one appears here exactly as it does in the game. To make a free printable, use your browser’s Print command: the page prints as a plain list.

All 12 optimism scenarios

  1. Costume Parade: Rainbow Unicorn Meets Superheroes

    Ages 6–10

    It’s Costume Parade Day at school! You decided to dress as a rainbow unicorn, because you love bright colors and magical things. When you arrive, some kids laugh a little at your costume. You feel a bit shy and wonder if you should’ve worn something “cooler.” Your teacher announces that everyone will walk across the stage to show off their costume. You're next. What do you do?

    Also practises: belonging, confidence

    Practise this one: Costume Parade: Rainbow Unicorn Meets Superheroes

  2. Bright Colors, Big Decisions

    Ages 6–14

    It’s pyjama day and you forgot. Everyone else is in bright colors. You've gone to school with your normal school uniform. What do you do?

    Also practises: courage, empathy, self-awareness

    Practise this one: Bright Colors, Big Decisions

  3. Losing Streak

    Ages 8–14

    Your basketball team has lost five games in a row. Everyone’s frustrated. At practice, some players stop trying and start blaming others. You feel the same — what’s the point if you keep losing? What do you do?

    Also practises: resilience, empathy

    Practise this one: Losing Streak

  4. The Hospital Room

    Ages 12–14

    Your little brother has been sick for weeks, and your parents have been spending most nights at the hospital.

    You’ve been staying with your aunt — the house feels quiet and strange.

    Every time you call your parents, they sound tired.

    One night, you overhear your aunt whisper on the phone,

    “They still don’t know what’s wrong.”

    You feel your stomach drop. You can’t stop thinking about it, but you also don’t want to cry again.

    You know your parents need you to stay strong — but it’s getting harder.

    What do you do?

    Also practises: resilience

    Practise this one: The Hospital Room

  5. Group work isn't fun

    Ages 6–10

    Your teacher announces a new group project and says,

    “You can choose your own teams.”

    Within seconds, everyone starts pairing up. You turn around — the classmates you usually work with already grouped together without asking you.

    Someone glances at you and says,

    “Sorry, our group’s full.”

    You feel your face burn.

    You could go ask to join another group, but the thought of being rejected again makes your stomach twist.

    You consider pretending you’d rather work alone — but deep down, you don’t want to.

    What do you do?

    Also practises: belonging, confidence, resilience

    Practise this one: Group work isn't fun

  6. Mismatched Shoes

    Ages 6–14

    You rush to put on your shoes at school and realise too late that you’re wearing mismatched ones. A classmate points it out to the whole class and laughs. What do you do?

    Also practises: self-control, confidence, self-awareness

    Practise this one: Mismatched Shoes

  7. The Participation Medal

    Ages 6–14

    At a fun family race, you don’t win a medal — but your little brother does. You feel jealous when everyone cheers for him. How should you respond?

    Also practises: self-awareness, self-control, social awareness

    Practise this one: The Participation Medal

  8. Lost Homework

    Ages 8–12

    You worked hard on your homework, but when you get to class, you realise you left it at home. Your teacher reminds you it’s due today. You can't go home but you can't hand in something that isn't there. What do you do?

    Also practises: responsibility, integrity, self-control

    Practise this one: Lost Homework

  9. Bump and Bend

    Ages 8–14

    Someone bumps into you and gives a half-hearted “sorry” before walking off. You look down, and the school project you were carrying got bent. What do you do?

    Also practises: integrity, courage, self-control

    Practise this one: Bump and Bend

  10. Feeling a little lonely

    Ages 8–14

    You've been increasingly ignored by more and more of your friends. You don't know why. What do you do?

    Also practises: social awareness, self-control, self-awareness

    Practise this one: Feeling a little lonely

  11. New Player, Old Team?

    Ages 8–14

    You’re the only new player on a tight-knit sports team.

    They don’t tease you, but they don’t include you either — no one passes the ball or sits with you after practice.

    You start doubting if you even belong there.

    One day, the coach asks you to lead warm-ups, and the others roll their eyes.

    Also practises: belonging, resilience, integrity

    Practise this one: New Player, Old Team?

  12. A Week of Silence

    Ages 10–14

    It’s been almost a week since anyone’s really talked to you at school.

    No one’s been mean — they just… don’t include you.

    At lunch, you scroll on your phone pretending to be busy.

    You laugh quietly at videos so it looks like you’re not alone.

    Each day you tell yourself, “Maybe tomorrow someone will sit with me.”

    But when tomorrow comes, it’s the same.

    Part of you wants to give up trying — another part whispers, “Don’t.”

    What do you do next?

    Also practises: self-awareness, confidence, resilience

    Practise this one: A Week of Silence

How can you use these at home or in class?

  1. Ask what the character might say to themselves, and write down that first thought exactly, even if it is gloomy.
  2. Ask whether the thought is completely true. Look for evidence together: has the team ever come close? Did anyone else forget pyjama day?
  3. Find a second thought that is hopeful and still believable, like “We’re losing now, but we got closer last game.”
  4. Finish with one action. A hopeful thought lasts longer when it leads to a next step.

Questions parents and teachers ask

How do I teach optimism to kids?

Help them notice their first thought, check whether it is fully true, and find a more hopeful version they can believe. Practising this on made-up situations makes it easier to do on a real bad day.

Isn’t optimism just telling kids to look on the bright side?

That version tends to backfire, because children can tell when a problem is being brushed aside. The scenarios here keep the problem real and look for what can still be done.

What ages are the optimism scenarios for?

Some start at age 6, such as the costume parade and pyjama day. The hospital scenario is written for 12 to 14. Each scenario shows its own range.

Guides for parents on this

One situation in depth

My child didn’t make the teamTryouts went badly or their name wasn’t on the list. What they can say to the coach and to friends who made it, at ages 6–14, and what to say at home.How can my child react to a gift they don’t like?Your child opens a present they don’t like while everyone watches. Honest, kind replies for ages 6–14, what to do about a duplicate, and what to say later.

More scenario lists

The whole scenario library