Turning Family Dreaming into a Crafty Reality with Vision Boards
My inspirational travel bag
Picture this: It's Friday night, the kids are on their tablets, your husband is glued to his favorite TV show, and you’re… wondering how it all went so wrong. When did talking about dreams and aspirations become a solo mission in your household? Well, my friend, it’s time to change that! We’re going to make a Family Vision Board Night—where goal-setting meets glue sticks, dreaming big is encouraged, and bonding takes center stage. And no, this isn’t some new age, woo-woo, manifest-your-dream-life pie in the sky idea. There’s real science behind why vision boards work, and I’m here to make the process as fun and family-friendly as possible.
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I know some of my amazing readers have kiddos too little for this activity. This can also be done with a significant other and produce amazing results. But, to keep the fun going with the whole family, check out the colorful scratch off map below! It can provide talking points for a bucket list, and kids love to scratch and see the colors underneath! This one even has all the states outlined.
Step 1: Get Ready for the Fun – Supplies List
Think of this like setting up for a DIY craft party, only the crafts have a purpose. Here’s what you’ll need to get the ball rolling:
Poster Boards: Big enough to fit all those dreams! Each family member gets their own, or you can go for one giant board to represent the family. If it helps, take a family vote!
Magazines and Printables: Collect a mix of travel, lifestyle, sports, hobbies, and pet magazines. Printable images online that are also perfect for vision boards if you don’t want to splash the cash on tons of magazines.
Craft Supplies: Markers, glitter, stickers, washi tape, and glue sticks. The more colors, the better. Let the kids’ imaginations run wild. Obtain the mindset that this is going to get messy, and that’s part of the process. Keep a vacuum handy for the post-craft clean-up.
Snacks and Drinks: Think popcorn, veggie sticks, vanilla wafers, and juice boxes (or wine for the adults – because who are we kidding, you might need it).
Inspirational Quotes: Print out a few or grab some motivational sticker packs online. They’re perfect for those blank spaces on the board that scream for something uplifting. These are like affirmations for your subconscious mind.
Music Playlist: Create a fun and inspiring playlist. Think A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman, Journey - Don't Stop Believin', Panic! At the Disco - High Hopes, or whatever gets your motivational juices flowing.
Here's a few magazines that inspire my vision boards
Step 2: Dive into the Dreaming
This is where the fun really starts. Gather everyone around the table, put the supplies in the middle, and let the dreaming begin. Encourage each person to think about what they want in life. Don’t limit the possibilities—whether it’s a new pet, personal achievement, family vacation, or even a career goal, everything is fair game.
Cut out pictures, words, and phrases that resonate with each person’s goals. Bonus points if you use a printer to print out personal photos that represent family memories or individual milestones. Those resonate more with our brains.
Begin to arrange the photos on the board in a way that you find most pleasing. Again, there is no right or wrong. If some parts are sticking up or beyond the edges, great! It shows you are willing to think outside the box! Once you find the placement you like best, adhere items to the board.
Here are three great Amazon picks to make your vision boards shine:
1. Decorative Cork Boards: Is a posterboard too bland for your house? Here’s your solution. A linen backed board with cute twine and a variety of pushpins.
2. Motivational Stickers: Easy and decorative inspiration to add with minimal effort. Don’t most kids like stickers?!
3. Photo Booth Props: Snap a few family pictures, print them out, and add them to the board. It’s a great way to personalize the experience and make the vision board truly unique. These travel props are adorable!
Step 3: Turning Dreams into Goals
Once the boards are complete, take some time to discuss everyone’s creations. This isn’t just about making pretty pictures—it’s about turning those pictures into actionable goals. Ask each family member to write down at least two goals that they can work towards based on their vision board. For example:
Dreaming of adding a kitten to the family? A goal could be: “Give our current cat food and water daily for three months to show I am responsible enough to take care of a kitten.”
Want to travel to Japan? Try: “Save $10 each week to put into the vacation jar.”
Writing down these goals and reviewing them regularly will help keep everyone supported, accountable, on track, and motivated. Plus, it’s a great way to show your kids that dreams don’t just happen; they require planning and effort.
Kids vacation fund jars (keeping it real - they each lost the lids)
Step 4: Why Vision Boards Are a Game-Changer
Why do I wholeheartedly encourage all my clients to create vision boards? Because they work! Visualization is a powerful tool that helps align your thoughts and actions with your goals. When you see something every day, your brain starts finding ways to make it happen, even if you’re not consciously working on it. The board works as a visual pep talk, reminding you of what’s important.
And let’s be real—life gets busy, and it’s easy to lose sight of your goals. Having a vision board displayed in a common area (like the bathroom mirror, kitchen or living room) keeps those dreams front and center. It’s a daily reminder of what you’re working towards as a family, and it can spark conversations about progress, adjustments, and new goals.
When I saw this sign I knew I had to get a pic!
Step 5: The Family That Dreams Together… Achieves Together
Vision board nights aren’t just about gluing pictures and creating art. They’re about understanding each other’s hopes and dreams, supporting one another, and working towards common goals. It’s a powerful bonding experience, and it sets a tone of encouragement and collaboration within the family.
For example, if one family member’s goal is to learn to bake, why not have a family baking night once a week? Or if someone’s dream is to visit a national park, start planning a family camping trip. The idea is to create shared experiences and memories that bring everyone closer together while also working towards individual and family goals. You can do both.
Plus, when kids see their parents actively setting and achieving goals, they learn by example. It’s a hands-on lesson in perseverance, creativity, and the power of intention.
Making chocolate covered strawberries
Step 6: Celebrate Your Wins – Big and Small
Celebrate each step along the way. Acknowledge the small wins as you go. Did someone stay committed to their savings plan for a month? Celebrate with a little family outing. Did another family member master their first guitar chord? Applaud them and maybe even have a mini family concert night.
Vision boards are a fun, creative, and powerful way to get everyone in the family on the same page. They help you bond over shared dreams and support each other in turning those dreams into reality. So, grab those glue sticks, get cutting, and start dreaming. Your next family fun night is about to become legend-wait for it-dary (Barney Stinson voice)!
Our family doing "cheers" with ice cream
Happy crafting, moms! Until next time.
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