Character is what defines who we are and how we treat others, especially when no one is watching. For kids, understanding the importance of good character helps them make decisions that reflect honesty, kindness, responsibility, and respect. A strong character is built over time through our actions and choices, and it influences how we interact with the world around us.
In this blog, we share a collection of character quotes for kids that encourage them to build strong moral values, show kindness, and stand up for what’s right. These quotes will inspire children to reflect on their own character and how they can continue to grow into caring, respectful individuals.
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Table of Contents
Why Teach Kids About Character
Teaching kids about character helps them understand the importance of integrity, kindness, and making good decisions. A strong character provides children with a moral compass, guiding them in their interactions with others and in their approach to challenges. By learning about character traits such as honesty, responsibility, and empathy, children are better equipped to navigate social situations, form healthy relationships, and contribute positively to their communities. Ultimately, teaching kids about character helps them develop into caring, confident, and ethical individuals who will positively impact the world around them.
11 Character Quotes for Kids
#1 “Character is how you treat those who can do nothing for you.”
True kindness shows when there’s nothing to gain.
What we do for others when no one is watching reveals the most about who we are.
Journal Prompt: When have you helped someone just because it was the right thing to do?
#2 “The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.” – John Wooden
Integrity shines in quiet moments.
Character isn’t about public praise—it’s about personal choices that reflect your values.
Journal Prompt: What choices do you make when no one else is around?
#3 “Character is doing the right thing when nobody’s looking.” – J.C. Watts
Doing right means standing by your values.
Character means you don’t need an audience to be honest, fair, or kind—you just are.
Journal Prompt: What is one value you try to live by every day?
#4 “Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day.” – Heraclitus
Character takes time and consistency.
Like a tree growing strong roots, character builds through small daily actions.
Journal Prompt: What’s one small action you can take today to build strong character?
#5 “Knowledge will give you power, but character respect.” – Bruce Lee
Brains may impress, but character earns trust.
The way you treat others leaves a longer legacy than facts you know.
Journal Prompt: What do you want people to remember most about you?
#6 “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Your inner strength matters most.
It’s not your past or future, but your inner values and courage that guide your actions.
Journal Prompt: What lies within you that helps you stay strong?
#7 “Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.” – Thomas Paine
Reputation is public; character is private.
How others see you matters less than how true you are to yourself and your values.
Journal Prompt: Do you act more for how it looks or what feels right inside?
Check Out Capybara-Theme Daily Reflection Journals For Kids!
#8 “You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Kindness with no reward is real kindness.
The way someone treats the powerless reveals their heart more than their words.
Journal Prompt: How do you treat people who need help but can’t repay you?
#9 “A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.” – James Allen
Your thoughts shape your character.
Positive, honest, and brave thoughts create actions that reflect a strong person.
Journal Prompt: What thoughts guide the way you act each day?
#10 “Your character is your destiny.” – Heraclitus
Who you are shapes where you go.
The habits and values you live by will shape your life’s path more than chance ever could.
Journal Prompt: What kind of future do you want your character to build?
#11 “A person reveals their character by their actions, not their words.”
Actions speak louder than promises.
What we do shows our true self more clearly than anything we say.
Journal Prompt: When have your actions spoken louder than your words?
Grab these free resources to make your teaching life easier!
Ways to Use These Quotes
- Character Reflection Journals: After reading a character quote for kids, encourage children to keep a journal where they reflect on what good character means to them. They can write about ways they’ve shown kindness, responsibility, and honesty in their daily lives.
- Role-Playing Good Character: Share a character quote for kids and organize role-playing scenarios where kids act out situations that require them to show good character, such as helping a friend in need or standing up for someone who is being treated unfairly. This helps them practice good decision-making in real-life situations.
- Character-Building Challenges: Use a character quote for kids to create weekly challenges where kids focus on demonstrating positive character traits, like honesty, kindness, or responsibility. At the end of the week, discuss the challenges and reflect on how they’ve made good choices.
- Character Strength Chart: After reading a character quote for kids, create a “character strength chart” where kids can track the good character traits they’ve shown each day, such as being honest, helpful, or respectful. This helps them recognize their positive actions and see the growth in their character.
- Character Discussions: Share a character quote for kids and have a family or classroom discussion about what character means. Ask questions like, “What makes a person’s character strong?” and “How can we show kindness in our everyday lives?” This fosters open conversations about the importance of good character.
- Acts of Kindness: Use a character quote for kids to create a family or school-wide “acts of kindness” challenge. Encourage kids to do small acts of kindness, such as helping others, sharing, or complimenting someone. This helps build empathy and reinforces positive character traits.
Additional Resources
Empathy Books For Kids
- Early Elementary Children (Ages 3-6)
- Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
- Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
Character Activities For Kids
- Kindness Calendar: After reading a character quote for kids, create a kindness calendar where kids commit to doing one act of kindness every day, whether it’s helping a sibling, saying something nice, or helping around the house. This helps kids develop the habit of showing good character in their daily lives.
- Create a “Character Trait Badge”: Share a character quote for kids and help kids design a badge for each positive character trait they want to focus on, like honesty, empathy, or kindness. They can wear or display their badges to remind themselves to keep building strong character.
- Character Strength Role Models: After reading a character quote for kids, discuss famous role models who exemplify strong character, like Martin Luther King Jr., Malala Yousafzai, or a local hero. This helps kids see how they can apply the lessons of good character in their own lives.
- Character Word Wall: Share a character quote for kids and create a word wall with positive character traits (such as integrity, honesty, kindness, and respect) displayed in the classroom or at home. Each week, kids can focus on one trait, learning more about its importance and how to demonstrate it.
More Ideas For Parents & Caregivers
- Model Good Character: Share a character quote for kids and lead by example. Demonstrate the values you want to instill in your child, such as kindness, respect, and fairness. Whether it’s through your actions or words, showing good character helps your child develop these traits.
- Discuss the Importance of Integrity: Use a character quote for kids to teach kids about integrity—the importance of doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. Discuss situations where they might have to make a tough decision and encourage them to make choices that align with their values.
- Create Character-Building Rituals: Share a character quote for kids and establish family rituals that emphasize character-building, such as discussing something kind you did each day, reading books that reinforce positive traits, or volunteering together to help others.
What’s Your Favorite Character Quote?
Character is the foundation of who we are and how we interact with the world. The character quotes for kids shared today remind us that building a strong character involves kindness, honesty, responsibility, and respect. Let’s continue to encourage kids to develop their character, make good choices, and stand up for what is right.
What is your favorite Character Quote from the post, or do you have another? Share it by tagging me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches. I would love to see!
Bye for now,
Prima from LittleYellowStar
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