The Summer Olympics is more than just a global sporting event. It’s a gold mine of life lessons for your kids, teaching them essential values for success in sports and in life. Here’s how you can use the Olympics to inspire your kiddos to do BIG things.

Teamwork

When watching team sports like soccer, basketball, or relay races, point out all the incredible ways players work together. Ask questions to get your kids thinking: “Woah, did you see that sweet pass?” or “Check out how fast they handed off that baton!” Watching team sports is a great way to discuss how every player brings unique skills to help the team succeed. 

Perseverance

The Olympics is full of stories about never giving up. Listen for times when the announcers talk about athletes who have been through tough setbacks and injuries but continued to pursue their dreams. It’s a great reminder for kids—and adults—that even when things get hard, we can keep going, bounce back, and be stronger than ever. 

Sportsmanship

Being a good sport is a big deal in the Olympics. Athletes shake hands and give each other high-fives, even if their teams are fierce rivals. It’s a great reminder that sports, while incredibly competitive, are not just about winning or losing—but about playing fair, respecting the rules, and being a good sport, no matter what the outcome.

Diversity

The Olympics is the perfect event to teach about inclusivity. Athletes come together from all over the world to compete, and it’s so cool to see how different everyone is. While cheering on your favorite teams, talk about how our differences make the world a more interesting and fun place to live.

Goals

Have conversations about how Olympic athletes might set big goals and work super hard to reach them. Ask your kids what things they want to improve, like getting better grades, nailing that skateboard trick, or even learning to bake a delicious cake. Help them figure out a game plan to make it happen, and encourage them to reach their big dreams!

Health

Watching Olympic athletes compete for gold is a perfect time to discuss the importance of exercise and healthy eating to build a strong body and sharp mind. Get your kids excited about trying new physical activities like biking, swimming, or even just having a dance party in the living room.

Remember to talk about how yummy and healthy food can be, so they’ll want to fuel their bodies with the good stuff. Encourage them to do things that help their minds grow, like reading, playing games, doing puzzles, or learning a new skill.  

The Human Spirit

Check out the inspiring stories of Olympic athletes who face enormous challenges or push themselves to the absolute limit to achieve extraordinary things. Say, “Wow! If they can do that, what can you/I do?” These stories show us what’s possible when we don’t give up on our dreams.

You're not just creating a fun family activity by watching the Olympics with your kids and having these important conversations. You’re raising gold-medal kids ready to face anything life throws at them. Go, team USA!

Are you watching the Summer Games this year?

Email us or give us a shout on our socials. We’re all ears👂!  And if you enjoyed this article, sign up for our weekly newsletter below, with tips, tricks, and trends coming to your inbox every Sunday morning.