Teenagers are in the middle of one of life’s most important journeys: figuring out who they are and what matters to them. During this stage, it’s common to feel pulled in many directions—by friends, family, school, and social pressures. Helping teens explore their core values gives them clarity and direction.
In therapy, counseling, or classroom settings, values activities are powerful tools to build self-awareness, encourage empathy, and support mental health. This guide shares creative ways to help teens explore core values through engaging therapy exercises.
Why Core Values Matter for Teens
Core values are the beliefs and principles that guide our choices. For teens, identifying these values:
- Strengthens self-esteem by clarifying what they stand for.
- Improves decision-making in friendships, academics, and future goals.
- Builds resilience by giving them a personal “compass” during challenges.
- Encourages empathy by showing them what matters to others.
When teens know their values, they can navigate life with more confidence and purpose.
1. Values Card Sort
How it works:
- Prepare a deck of cards with words like honesty, creativity, family, independence, kindness.
- Ask teens to sort them into piles: Very Important, Somewhat Important, Not Important.
Therapy Value: This activity helps teens notice which principles stand out to them and reflect on priorities.
Reflection Question: Which values feel most important right now? Which might grow more important in the future?
2. The Values Compass
How it works:
- Draw a large compass with four directions labeled: Family, Friends, School, Self.
- Teens place sticky notes with values under each heading.
Therapy Value: This shows how values shift depending on context (e.g., honesty with friends, responsibility at school).
Reflection Question: Do your values ever conflict between areas of your life? How do you balance them?
3. Timeline of Values
How it works:
- Draw a line with Past, Present, Future.
- Teens write or draw values that mattered in childhood, ones that matter now, and values they want to carry forward.
Therapy Value: Teens recognize growth over time and that values evolve as life changes.
Reflection Question: Which value do you want to “grow into” over the next year?
4. Role-Play Scenarios
How it works:
- Present real-life dilemmas: “Your friend asks you to skip class,” or “You see someone being left out.”
- Teens role-play their decision and identify the value guiding their choice.
Therapy Value: Teens practice connecting values with behavior, reinforcing decision-making skills.
Reflection Question: Was it easy to act according to your value? Why or why not?
5. Art Collage of Values
How it works:
- Provide magazines, markers, and paper.
- Teens create collages of images and words that represent their top values.
Therapy Value: Visual expression is especially helpful for teens who struggle with verbal reflection.
Reflection Question: Which part of your collage feels most “you”?
6. Journaling Gratitude & Values
How it works:
- Ask teens to write about a moment when they felt proud.
- Guide them to connect it with an underlying value (honesty, bravery, compassion).
Therapy Value: Builds self-esteem by linking positive experiences to personal principles.
Reflection Question: What does this moment say about what you value most?
Final Thoughts
Exploring core values with teens is about more than self-discovery—it’s about giving them a compass for life. Through card sorts, collages, role-play, and reflective journaling, teens can uncover what truly matters and learn how to live in alignment with those principles.
As a counselor, teacher, or parent, offering these activities provides teens with confidence and clarity during one of the most important stages of development.
For more tools, check out my upcoming guides on Core Values Worksheets for Kids and Group Therapy Games for Exploring Values.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Eve, a former school counselor with a master’s degree in School Psychology and a passionate advocate for children and families navigating sensory challenges. As a mom of children with sensory sensitivities, I deeply understand the journey special-needs parents face, and I dedicate myself to researching and sharing practical solutions to help children thrive and feel comfortable in their bodies. My goal is also to empower counselors, therapists, and psychologists with creative strategies and supportive resources to enrich their everyday practice. When I’m not writing or exploring new therapeutic approaches, you’ll find me spending quality time with my family and continually seeking inspiration from everyday moments.
