Resilience scenarios for kids: 21 situations about setbacks and disappointment

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, optimism

It doesn't add up!

Ages 6–10

You’re working on a tricky maths problem in class. You try a few times but keep getting the answer wrong. Some classmates finish quickly. You feel frustrated and want to give up. What do you do?

Also practises: confidence, self-awareness, focus

Team Captain

Ages 6–14

Your cousin is chosen as team captain even though you’ve played longer. You feel it’s unfair. What’s the best way to handle your feelings?

Also practises: self-control, belonging

Friend Next Door?

Ages 8–14

You and your neighbour have been best friends for years — you hang out almost every day after school.

One morning you call out over the fence like usual, but this time he says, “I’ve got a friend over today — maybe another time.” As the day goes on, you see them laughing and playing together, and you start wondering if he likes his new friend more than you. What do you do?

Also practises: self-awareness, kindness, relationship skills

Movie without me?

Ages 8–14

You and your two closest friends always hang out on weekends — it’s your thing. On Friday afternoon, you overhear them talking excitedly about going to the movies the next day. You wait for them to mention inviting you… but they don’t. What do you do?

Also practises: self-awareness, kindness

Silent Treatment

Ages 8–14

You accidentally said something in a group chat that embarrassed your friend. You apologised right away, but since then, they’ve stopped talking to you — no replies, no eye contact at school.

Days turn into a week. You start wondering if the friendship’s over.

What do you do?

Also practises: online safety, relationship skills, self-awareness, integrity, empathy

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: optimism, self-awareness, confidence

Echoes of the Coach

Ages 6–14

During PE, your teammates repeat what the coach says in a mocking tone. The coach hasn’t noticed. You’re not sure if it’s funny or rude. What do you do?

Also practises: relationship skills, social awareness, confidence

Friend's Success

Ages 6–14

Your best friend wins an award you also applied for. You’re happy for them — but when everyone congratulates them, you feel a sting in your chest and catch yourself saying, “It’s fine, I didn’t even want it.”

Later, you realise you did really want it, and you feel a bit jealous. What do you do?

Also practises: self-awareness, empathy

Juice Spill Giggles

Ages 6–14

Someone apologises quickly after spilling juice all over your artwork, but keeps laughing about it later. What do you do?

Also practises: confidence, social awareness, self-control

Taking Turns

Ages 6–14

You’re playing a board game and another student keeps skipping your turn by mistake. It’s happened twice. What do you do?

Also practises: confidence, self-control

Tryout Nerves

Ages 6–14

You’ve practiced for weeks to make the school sports team. On tryout day, you miss your first shot — then your second. You can feel everyone watching. Your coach frowns and writes something on their clipboard.

You start to think, "Maybe I’m just not good enough." What do you do?

Also practises: confidence, courage, self-awareness

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: optimism, empathy

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, integrity, optimism

Public Eyes

Ages 8–14

You’re presenting in class, and halfway through, someone in the front row starts whispering.

You suddenly forget your next line and can only think about what they’re saying.

You freeze, trying to remember your words, but your brain feels blank.

What do you do?

Also practises: focus, confidence, self-awareness

Unchosen

Ages 8–14

Your teacher announces a surprise class project — “Pick your own partners!” — and the room bursts into noise. You quickly turn to your best friend, but they’ve already teamed up with someone else. You look around and see a classmate sitting alone — someone who’s usually quiet and not very confident. You feel disappointed, and part of you wants to just work alone. Then the classmate looks up and says softly, “Do you… want to work together?”

Also practises: empathy, kindness, self-awareness

Class Joke?

Ages 10–14

You answer a question in class, but you pronounce one of the characters wrong

A few classmates laugh, and one whispers, “Nice one, genius.”

Your cheeks go red — you want to disappear.

You think you had a good point but the whole class is focussed on your pronunciation.

Later, the teacher says, “Good try — at least you had the courage to speak up.”

What do you do?

Also practises: confidence, courage, self-control

Homework fight?

Ages 10–14

You’re trying to finish a big assignment that’s due tomorrow — one that could raise your grade.

Halfway through, you hear your parents arguing again in the next room.

You try to block it out, but the voices get louder, and you catch your name.

Your chest tightens. You can’t focus anymore.

You know the deadline is close, but all you can think about is what’s happening at home.

What do you do?

Also practises: self-control, empathy, focus

Target Shifter

Ages 10–14

You spoke up last week when a group started teasing another student.

Since then, the group has stopped talking to you — and now they’re posting inside jokes online that seem aimed at you.

One of your old friends messages privately:

“They’re just joking — don’t make it worse. Maybe say sorry, even if you didn’t do anything.”

You feel torn — you did the right thing, but now you’re the one being left out.

What do you do?

Also practises: empathy, courage, social awareness, belonging

The Argument you weren't in

Ages 10–14

You’re in your room doing homework when you hear your parents arguing loudly downstairs.

It’s about money — again.

You hear your name come up. One of them says,

“We can’t keep paying for all these extras — they don’t even appreciate it.”

The room goes quiet.

A few minutes later, your mum knocks on your door, eyes red, and says softly,

“Hey, everything’s fine. How’s your homework going?”

You want to yell, cry, and ask what’s really happening — but you also don’t want to make things worse.

What do you do?

Also practises: integrity, self-control, empathy, self-awareness

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: optimism