Dream Big

How to create family vision boards

A vision board (or dream board) is a collection of images that represent goals and dreams for the future. These collages aren’t just fun to look at; they also function as visualization tools. Visualization, or imagining an activity, is a powerful exercise that helps people see and strive for dreams or goals without even thinking about it.

Creating vision boards together as a family can be a fun, inspiring activity. Not only will the project spark meaningful discussion, it also encourages goal setting as individuals and as a family unit.

For individual boards, consider using file folders or sheets of cardstock as a base. For a family board, a large poster board works best if you have the space to display it.

Supplies

Paper and pens

Poster board, file folders or 8”x 11” cardstock

Variety of magazines to cut images and words from

Scissors

Glue sticks

Markers

Start by setting the scene. Ask everyone to put away phones and other electronics. Gather around a table

Tiffany Doerr Guerzon

and have supplies handy. Consider playing music to set the mood for brainstorming and imagination.

Directions

1. Brainstorm Hand out paper and pencils and ask family members to jot down short-term and long-term goals they have for the upcoming year and beyond. It might help to categorize them into different areas of life (school, work, health, relationships, spiritual, fun, etc.). Talk about it as a family to get the juices flowing.

Try to be specific. For example, instead of writing “improve health,” choose an action such as “drink one extra glass of water each day” or “take a walk three times a week.” For relationships, maybe the kids want to spend more time with friends or schedule a family game night every month. Couples might consider a weekly date night. Other ideas might include get better grades, learn to paint or play soccer, take a trip, keep a gratitude journal or become a veterinarian. Imagination is the only limitation!

Don’t tell kids what goals to choose. Ask them questions if they need help getting started, but kids need to choose their own goals and dreams for a vision board to work.

2. Start crafting Once everyone has their list, start looking for images that represent those goals and dreams. Flip through magazines and cut out images, words or phrases that appeal to you. A beach image is a great reminder that you’d like to travel to Hawaii. Be sure to have kids’ magazines available. You can also browse images online and print them out.

3. Build the board. Arrange images and words on the cardstock as desired. Using a glue stick, paste your images down. Use markers to add color or more words. Be sure to write the date on the back of each board. It’s fun to look back on what you wanted in the past.

4. Work together. Once everyone has created their own boards, consider doing a family vision board. If you have space to display it, use a larger base such as a poster board (or a poster board cut in half). Follow the same steps as the personal boards, but consider everyone’s input. This is a fun way to collaborate and discover what every family member wants to do or achieve in the coming year.

5. Display your work. Be sure to place the boards where they will be seen daily. Personal boards could go on a nightstand, on a bedroom wall or near the bathroom mirror. Make sure the family board is in a central location where everyone will see it. v

Tiffany Guerzon is a freelance writer.