20 Positive Body Image Activities & Worksheets for Teens (Printables)

Body Image Activities & Worksheets for Teens: Empower your young people with activities designed to nurture a positive body image, helping them build confidence and embrace their unique selves. Download 3 Body Image Worksheets.

Body image refers to how a person perceives, thinks, and feels about their physical appearance. It includes thoughts and feelings about body shape, size, and overall appearance and can be influenced by a variety of factors such as cultural standards, media, and personal experiences. 

Body image can be positive, where a person feels comfortable and confident in their body, or negative, where they may feel dissatisfaction or distress about their appearance.

Body dissatisfaction is not just a youth problem; it continues to be an issue for many adults as well.

Consequences of Body Image Issues

Negative body image is not necessarily linked to a person’s actual physical appearance but rather to their perception of it. 

Someone with a negative body image may see themselves as overweight, unattractive, or flawed, even if their appearance is healthy or attractive according to societal norms or objective standards.

Negative body image is linked to:

1. Low self-esteem: Constant dissatisfaction with one’s appearance can erode self-confidence and overall self-worth.
2. Mental well-being issues: Negative body image is strongly linked to mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphic disorder.
3. Eating disorders: It can lead to physical health issues and unhealthy eating behaviors, including restrictive dieting, binge eating, or eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
4. Social withdrawal: People with negative body image might avoid social situations or activities where they feel their body will be judged, leading to isolation and loneliness.
5. Unhealthy coping mechanisms: To cope with body dissatisfaction, some may engage in harmful behaviors like substance abuse, self-harm, or excessive exercising.
6. Impact on daily life: Persistent negative thoughts about one’s body can distract from daily tasks, reducing focus and affecting academic performance.
7. Relationship strain: Negative body image can affect intimate relationships, leading to issues like insecurity, jealousy, and difficulty in sexual relationships.

20 Positive Body Image Activities & Worksheets for Teens

The following activities will support young people in developing better self-esteem and positive body image.

1. Body Positivity Research and Presentation Project.
Explore body positivity in the classroom. 

• Divide the class into small groups: Assign each group a specific website or organization dedicated to body positivity, like
  • The Body Positive, a nonprofit organization that provides resources, workshops, and programs aimed at helping people develop a positive body image and healthy self-esteem.
  • National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), while focused on eating disorders, NEDA also promotes body positivity and offers resources to help people develop healthier relationships with their bodies. 
  • Health at Every Size (HAES), this movement promotes body positivity and health without focusing on weight, advocating for size acceptance and inclusive health practices.
  •  The Body Image Movement, founded by Taryn Brumfitt, advocates for body positivity and challenges societal beauty standards through various campaigns and educational resources.
• Research Phase: Each group researches its assigned resource, exploring its mission, goals, and the type of support or activities it offers.
• Presentation Creation: Groups create a short presentation highlighting key takeaways from their research, focusing on how the resource promotes body positivity and can support peers.
• Class Discussion: After presentations, lead a class discussion about the different approaches to body positivity and how students can apply these ideas in their own lives.

2. Prepare a Presentation about a Positive Body Image Activist.
Help teens understand and appreciate the work of positive role models and inspire them to promote body positivity in their own lives.

Introduce students to a list of well-known body image activists. Some examples include Taryn Brumfitt, founder of the Body Image Movement; Jameela Jamil, founder of the I Weigh movement; or Sonya Renee Taylor, author of The Body Is Not an Apology. Or allow students to research and choose an activist independently, allowing them to explore diverse voices and perspectives.

Ask students to research their chosen activist, focusing on their background, what motivated them to become an advocate, the impact of their work, and any key campaigns or initiatives they’ve led.

3. Three People I Admire.
Students identify three people they admire and reflect on the qualities, values, and actions that make them special. The goal is to help students understand that true admiration comes from valuing a person’s character, values, and actions, rather than their physical appearance.

4. Signs of Negative and Positive Body Image.
Divide students into two groups. One group will focus on identifying signs of positive body image, and the other will focus on signs of negative body image. Each group will discuss and list examples.

Examples of positive body image:

• Wearing clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident, regardless of trends.
• Accepting compliments graciously without doubting their sincerity.

Examples of negative body image:

• Frequently criticizing your own body in front of the mirror or to others.
• Avoiding a pool party so that you don’t have to wear a swimsuit in front of your friends.

Now, let’s move to activities that address the negative impact of social media.
Social media platforms are more than just connection tools. They serve as a comparison stage, particularly affecting teenage girls by encouraging them to measure their physical appearance against unrealistic standards. 

Research on trends in social media and body image suggests that visual platforms (e.g. Instagram) are more dysfunctional for body image than more textual platforms (e.g. Facebook). That same research also shows that taking and editing selfies, even if you don’t end up posting them can result in negative effects on body image. While positive comments actually made the effects of seeing idealized content even worse. 

The following activities may help you counteract the negative effects of social media platforms:
5. Digital Detox.
Set a time limit for social media use daily. Encourage your teen to create a list of activities that don’t require an internet connection, such as reading, painting, or playing a musical instrument, to engage in during the offline periods.

6. Media Literacy Workshops.
Teach your teenager that what they see on social media is often a curated or manipulated version of reality. Many people post only the best aspects of their lives, use filters to enhance photos, or even stage scenarios for social validation. This can create a distorted view of reality and can be especially impactful on teens, who might compare their own lives to these idealized online portrayals.

7. Social Media Audit.
Encourage teens to evaluate their social media feeds, unfollowing accounts that make them feel bad about their bodies and following those that promote positivity and diversity. Ask them to share examples of both types of accounts and discuss what made them feel good and bad about them. 

8. Comparison Trap Discussion.
Discuss the dangers of comparing oneself to others, especially on social media. Encourage teens to focus on their unique qualities instead of trying to match unrealistic image ideals.

Explain that research suggests that comparing your weight to friends and models is a major factor in feeling unhappy with your body.

9. Focus on Personal Values and Character Strengths.
Focus on values to help your students create a healthy sense of self-worth.

Create a strengths list or inventory and ask your students to highlight any strengths they have and display. Examples of those values and character strengths can be creativity, open-mindedness, honesty, kindness, loyalty, or fairness.

Then, ask students to reflect on how each of those strengths they have highlighted helps them succeed in fields that may be important to them (academic, friendship, et cetera.)

For a more extensive list of examples, you can check Personal and Emotional Strengths in Children.

10. Celebrating Body Diversity- All bodies are Beautiful.

Help students understand and appreciate the diversity of body shapes, sizes, and appearances, reinforcing the idea that all bodies are beautiful and valuable.

• Introduction: Discuss the importance of body diversity and how beauty comes in many forms.
• Collage creation: In small groups, create a collage using magazine images or printed pictures that represent different body sizes, types, and abilities. Add positive words that celebrate diversity.
• Presentation: Each group presents their collage, explaining their choices and message.
• Discussion: Lead a brief discussion on the importance of appreciating body diversity and how it can create a more positive environment.
• Reflection: Ask students to reflect on what they learned and how they can apply this understanding in their lives.

11. Body Image Myths Debunking.
Educate teens about common body image myths, like the idea that there’s a perfect body. Busting these myths might help them feel better about their own body image.

• Briefly explain what body image myths are and how they can harm self-esteem. Examples include myths like “There’s a perfect body type,” “Only thin bodies are healthy,” and “Beauty equals worth.”
• Divide students into groups, assigning each a myth to debunk. Provide resources or allow them to research evidence that challenges the myth.
• Each group presents their myth, the truth behind it, and how believing in it can negatively impact their self-image.
• Class Discussion: Discuss how these myths affect perceptions of self and others and brainstorm ways to counter them in daily life.
• Reflection: Have students write about a myth they believed and how their thinking has changed.

12. Positive Affirmations for a Healthy Body Image.
Combat negative self-talk by practicing positive affirmations for a healthy body image, helping to reframe your mindset and boost self-esteem.

But remember that people with low self-esteem problems may feel worse when practicing positive self-talk if those statements contradict their deep beliefs. 

So, if your young person has low body confidence and is uncomfortable with their body size or shape, a statement like “I like the shape of my body” would not work. It would create a cognitive dissonance and probably make them focus more on what they don’t like and their negative feelings. 

Instead, try these body affirmation examples:

• “I am grateful for all the amazing things my body allows me to do.”
• “My strength and resilience make me proud.”
• “I appreciate my body for keeping me healthy and active.”
• “I honor my body for carrying me through each day.”
• “I trust my body to support me in all my activities.”

13. Positive Body Image Journal.
Journaling is self-exploration through writing. Encouraging your teen to maintain a journal can provide an intimate space for self-discovery, reflection, and emotional expression.

You can tailor your journaling topics to anything you want, making it a great tool to explore and cultivate body positivity.

A positive body image journal can help your young person focus on what they love about their body, boosting confidence and self-love. A great way to keep it uplifting and prevent a focus on negative thoughts is using supportive prompts that encourage them to reflect on their strengths and what they appreciate about their bodies rather than dwelling on perceived flaws.

Examples of positive body talk prompts could be:

• “List three things you love about your body and why they are special to you.”
• “Write about how your body helps you enjoy your favorite activities or hobbies.”
• “What positive words would you use to describe your body? Write them down and explain why you chose them.”

Or you can guide them through specific prompts focused on how body parts help them you achieve great things:

• “Think about a time when your legs carried you through a challenging hike or a fun run. How did it feel to accomplish that?”
• “Write about a moment when your hands created something you’re proud of, like a piece of art, a meal, or a project.”
• “Describe how your eyes help you appreciate the beauty in the world around you. What sights have brought you joy recently?”

You can download your positive body image guided journal at the end of this post.

14. Thank You Letter to Your Body.
In this activity, students write a ‘Thank You’ letter to their own bodies, expressing appreciation for their strength, abilities, and resilience. The goal is to foster a sense of gratitude and self-acceptance, focusing on how our bodies support and enable us in daily life.

15. Balance Plate Challenge.
Healthy Eating Education: Educate teens on how to nourish their bodies with balanced meals, emphasizing health over weight. Understanding the impact of nutrition on well-being can improve their relationship with food.

Teach students about healthy eating habits by focusing on balance and variety in their meals without labeling foods as “good” or “bad.”

• Introduction: Discuss the importance of eating a variety of foods to fuel our bodies, emphasizing that all foods can fit into a balanced diet without categorizing them as “good” or “bad.”
• Balanced plate creation: Provide students with paper plates and a variety of food images or drawings. Ask them to create a “balanced plate” by selecting a mix of fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy, focusing on variety and portion balance.
• Group sharing: Have students share their plates with the group, explaining their choices and how they aimed for balance and variety.
• Discussion: Lead a conversation about how healthy eating is about enjoying a wide range of foods in the right proportions. Emphasize the trend of focusing on balance rather than restricting certain foods.

16. Move for Joy: Celebrating Physical Activity.
Encourage students to enjoy physical activity as a way to take care of their bodies, emphasizing the importance of balance and avoiding over-exercising due to body dissatisfaction.

• Introduction: Discuss how physical activity is a way to keep our bodies healthy and happy, not something to overdo because of body dissatisfaction. Emphasize that moving our bodies should be fun and make us feel good.
• Physical activity exploration: Offer a variety of fun physical activities, such as dancing, yoga, team games, or a nature walk. Let students choose which activities they want to try, focusing on enjoyment and personal preference.
• Group reflection: After the activities, gather the group to share how they felt during the activities. Ask questions like, “What did you enjoy most?” and “How did moving your body make you feel?”
• Discussion: Lead a conversation about how physical activity is a way to care for and appreciate our bodies, not something to be used to change how we look. Highlight the importance of listening to our bodies and not overdoing exercise.

17. Fitness Goal Setting.
Guide teens in setting realistic and healthy fitness goals based on their interests, like increasing strength or endurance, rather than focusing on weight loss.

Related Goal-Setting Reading: 

• Goal-Setting Activities for Kids.
• How to Set Smart Goals.

18. Body Image Support Plan.
Help students identify specific actions and resources to address body image concerns and promote a healthier self-perception. Discuss the importance of seeking support and not dealing with these feelings alone.

• Have students individually reflect on situations or triggers that make them feel negatively about their bodies, such as social media platforms, certain types of comments, or comparing themselves to others.
• Ask students to brainstorm strategies they can use when they encounter these triggers. Examples might include unfollowing accounts that make them feel bad, practicing positive self-talk, or engaging in activities that make them feel good about themselves.
• Encourage students to list people they can turn to when they’re struggling with body image concerns, such a good friend, family members, teachers, or counselors.
• A “Body Image Support Plan” printable is available for download at the end of this post, including sections for identifying triggers, listing coping strategies, and naming their support systems.

19. Role-Playing Scenarios.
Create scenarios where teens can practice responding to body image-related challenges, like handling teasing or negative comments. This builds resilience and confidence.

Examples of role-playing scenarios for body image awareness can be:

• Handling teasing about weight. Scenario: A peer makes a comment about someone’s weight during lunch. The teen practices responding calmly, setting boundaries, and redirecting the conversation to something positive.
• Dealing with negative social media comments. Scenario: A teen receives a hurtful comment about their appearance on a social media post. They practice responding with self-assurance, choosing to ignore, delete the comment, or seek support from friends.
• Standing up to peer pressure. Scenario: A group of friend’s pressures someone to follow a strict diet or exercise routine to change their appearance. The teens practice asserting their own choices and promoting a healthy, balanced approach instead.

20. Body Image Iceberg.
I love the iceberg metaphor because it brilliantly helps us visualize that what we see is just a small part of a much more complex situation beneath the surface.

I’ve shared the iceberg metaphor with you in the context of anger through the anger iceberg. We can also apply this concept to body image issues, revealing the deeper, underlying factors that contribute to how we see ourselves.

Under the surface, our body image struggles may hide feelings such as insecurity, shame, guilt, or anxiety. It may also hide core beliefs such as “I’m not good enough” or “My worth is tied to my appearance.”

I’ve prepared a Body Image Iceberg worksheet for you to share with your students. It’s a tool to help them explore the deeper feelings and beliefs that may be influencing how they see themselves.

And, last but not least, if your teen is struggling with body image, consider seeking support from school counselors, psychologists, therapists, support groups or other professionals who can provide guidance and help them develop a healthier self-view.

Other Positive Self-Esteem Activities 

Are you seeking other healthy self-esteem resources like worksheets, journals, and fun activities? Check out the following resources:

• 32 Fun Self-Esteem Activities for KIDS
• 55 Positive Self-Esteem Activities for TEENS
• Confidence & Self-Esteem Journal for KIDS
• Self-Esteem Journal for TEENS
• 30 Fun Self-Esteem GAMES for Kids
• Gratitude Journal and Activities