How to Improve Public Speaking Skills in Kids: 15 Fun Exercises for Confidence

Learning how to speak confidently does not have to begin with a stage, microphone or memorised speech. Children can improve public speaking skills through simple, enjoyable activities that help them think, express ideas, tell stories, listen, participate and communicate with confidence. From one-minute talks and storytelling games to role play, mini debates and group discussions, the right exercises can turn everyday moments into meaningful speaking practice. More importantly, these activities help children discover that confidence is not about always having the perfect words. It is about having the courage to share an idea, try again, listen to others and believe that their voice matters.

Summary

• Keep practice playful: Children learn public speaking more naturally when they are having fun.
• Build confidence gradually: Start with familiar topics and short speaking activities before moving to larger audiences.
• Look beyond speaking: Good public speaking develops communication, creativity, listening, leadership and self-belief too.

Why Public Speaking Practice Should Feel Like Fun

If you want to know how to improve public speaking for kids, the first step may be to stop treating public speaking like a formal performance. A child does not need to stand behind a podium and deliver a five-minute speech to practise.

• They can explain their favourite game.
• Tell you what they would do if they could invent a new school subject.
• Create a story from three random objects.
• Argue why bedtime should be later.

Or simply introduce themselves to someone new.

These moments teach children to organise their thoughts, find their words, use their voice and communicate with other people.

At Sydney Academy of Public Speaking (SAPS), public speaking is treated as the beginning of a much wider learning journey. Its activity-based approach brings together storytelling, presentations, debates, group discussions, creative thinking, body language, confidence and personality development to help children become confident communicators and young leaders.

The goal isn't a child who can simply give a good speech.

It is a child who feels comfortable saying, “I have something to say.”

15 Fun Exercises to Improve Public Speaking Skills in Kids

1. The One-Minute Talk

Choose a familiar topic:

• My favourite animal
• The best part of my weekend
• A game I love
• If I could travel anywhere

Give your child 30 seconds to think and one minute to speak. Don't interrupt or correct them while they are talking.

What it builds: Speaking fluency, confidence and the ability to organise thoughts quickly.

2. Three-Object Storytelling

Pick three random objects from around the house.

For example: a spoon, a toy car and a hat.

Now challenge your child to create a story that includes all three.

Want to make it harder? Give them a beginning and let them invent the middle and ending.

What it builds: Storytelling, creativity, vocabulary and spontaneous speaking.

3. Teach the Parent

Ask your child to teach you something they already know.

It could be how to play their favourite game, how to draw something or how their favourite sport works.

The catch? They cannot assume you already understand it.

They have to explain each step clearly.

What it builds: Clear communication, sequencing and confidence in explaining ideas.

4. The “Would You Rather?” Debate

Ask questions such as:

• Would you rather have a pet dragon or a robot?
• Would you rather live underwater or in space?

Once your child chooses, ask:

“Why?”

Then challenge them to give you two reasons.

There doesn't need to be a correct answer. The goal is to encourage children to form an opinion and explain it.

What it builds: Reasoning, persuasive communication and confidence in expressing opinions.

5. Emotion Switch

Give your child one simple sentence:

“I can't believe this happened!”

Ask them to say it as if they are:

• Excited
• Angry
• Surprised
• Nervous
• Extremely happy

Talk about what changed, not just the words, but their voice, facial expression, pace and body language.

What it builds: Voice modulation, expression, tone and body language.

6. The 30-Second Impromptu Challenge

Write simple topics on pieces of paper and place them in a bowl.

Ideas could include:

• My dream job.
• The best invention ever.
• One thing I would change at school.
• My perfect weekend.

Let your child pick one and give them 30 seconds to think before speaking for 30 seconds.

As they become more comfortable, increase the speaking time.

What it builds: Quick thinking, spontaneity and confidence under pressure.

7. Finish the Story

Start with:

“When Mia opened the mysterious box, she couldn't believe what she saw…”

Then stop.

Your child has to continue the story. You can take turns adding one or two sentences each.

This works particularly well because there is no pressure to find the “perfect” answer.

What it builds: Imagination, listening, storytelling and verbal expression.

8. Show and Explain

Ask your child to choose one object they love.

Instead of simply saying what it is, ask them to explain:

• What is it?
• Why do you like it?
• How do you use it?
• What makes it special?
• What would you tell someone who had never seen it before?

What it builds: Description, structure and conversational confidence.

9. The “Convince Me” Game

Give your child something harmless to persuade you about.

For example:

“Convince me that we should have pancakes for dinner.”

Or:

“Convince me that your favourite movie is worth watching.”

Encourage them to give three reasons. You can even take the opposite side and let them respond to your argument.

What it builds: Persuasive speaking, reasoning and respectful disagreement.

10. Mirror Practice

Stand in front of a mirror together. Ask your child to introduce themselves in three sentences:

• “My name is…” 
• “I enjoy…”
• “One thing I am good at is…”

Then repeat it while paying attention to posture, eye contact and facial expression. Keep it encouraging rather than overly critical.

What it builds: Self-awareness, body language and speaking confidence.

11. News Reporter for a Day

Ask your child to become a news reporter. They can report on something that happened at home, at school or during the weekend.

Try: “Good evening! Here is today's biggest news…”

Encourage them to explain what happened, where it happened and why it matters.

What it builds: Clear delivery, sequencing, observation and presentation skills.

12. Picture Prompt Challenge

Show your child a picture and ask them to tell you what they think is happening.

Then ask:

• “What happened before this?”
• “What do you think happens next?” 
• “How do you think the person feels?”

There is no single correct answer.

What it builds: Creative thinking, interpretation, vocabulary and expressive communication.

13. Family Mini Presentation

Once a week, let your child prepare a two-minute presentation for the family.

The topic can be completely their choice. They could talk about a sport, hobby, book, animal, game or something they recently learned.

Let them decide how they want to present it. You can then ask one or two questions.

What it builds: Preparation, presentation skills, confidence and handling questions.

14. Group Story Circle

This one works particularly well with siblings, cousins or friends. One person starts a story with one sentence.

The next person adds another. Continue until everyone has contributed.

The challenge is to listen carefully because your child needs to build on what the previous person said.

What it builds: Listening, teamwork, creativity and group communication.

15. “One Thing I’m Proud Of”

End the week with a simple question:

“What is one thing you did this week that made you proud?”

Let your child answer without rushing them.

Then ask: “What made you proud about it?”

This turns speaking practice into an opportunity for self-reflection. And that matters because public speaking confidence is not only about speaking to other people. It also comes from understanding your own strengths.

What it builds: Self-awareness, reflection, confidence and positive communication.

How to Make Public Speaking Practice Work at Home

You don't need to complete all 15 exercises in one week. In fact, trying to turn every evening into a speaking lesson can make children feel pressured.

Instead, choose two or three activities your child genuinely enjoys.

• One day could be storytelling.
• Another could be a mini debate.
• Another could simply be a one-minute conversation about something they love.

The important part is consistency. And remember: don't rush to fill every pause.

• If your child takes a few seconds to find their words, give them that time.
• If they make a mistake, let them finish. 
• If their answer is different from what you expected, ask them why they think that way.

The aim is not to produce perfect speeches; it is to help children become comfortable thinking, speaking, listening and expressing themselves.

What If Your Child Is Shy?

A shy child does not necessarily lack ideas. Sometimes, they simply need more time, smaller steps and a safe environment to express them.

Start with one-to-one conversations before asking them to speak in front of a group.

• Let them choose familiar topics.
• Celebrate effort rather than performance.
• And avoid comparing them with more outgoing children.

Instead of: “Why don't you speak like your friend?”

Try: “I noticed you shared your idea even though you were nervous. That took courage.”

Confidence grows when children learn that speaking up does not require them to be perfect.

When Home Practice Becomes a Bigger Learning Journey

Home activities are a wonderful place to begin, but children also benefit from speaking with peers, responding to different ideas and participating in structured group activities.

This is where a well-rounded public speaking program can make a difference.

The right public speaking classes for kids should give children opportunities to do more than memorise and deliver speeches. Storytelling, debating, group discussions, creative thinking, presentations, body language and personality development can all contribute to stronger communication skills. SAPS's current programs are designed around this broader, practical approach.

Because the real-world question isn't always:

“Can your child give a speech?”

It might be:

• “Can they introduce themselves confidently?”
• “Can they explain an idea?”
• “Can they respectfully disagree?”
• “Can they ask a question?”
• “Can they participate in a group?”
• “Can they take the lead when an opportunity comes their way?”

Those are public speaking skills too. And they are also communication, confidence and life skills.

Helping Kids Find Their Voice

Learning how to improve public speaking skills in kids doesn't have to start with a stage.

• It can start at the dinner table.
• With a story.
• A question.
• A silly debate.
• A two-minute presentation.
• A child explaining something they love.

Every time children get a chance to think, speak, listen and try again, they are building something bigger than presentation skills.

They are learning to trust their ideas, communicate with others, participate, take opportunities, and eventually lead.

That is why at Sydney Academy of Public Speaking, public speaking is just the beginning. With Term 4 enrolments now open, children across Sydney can join SAPS's age-based programs at five locations across five Sydney locations, such as Melonba, Quakers Hill, Ponds, Westmead and Marsden Park. So whether your child is naturally confident, still finding their voice, or somewhere in between, Term 4 is another opportunity to help them practise, participate and grow.  

Because the goal isn't simply to raise confident speakers.

It's to help raise confident young people who believe their voice is worth hearing.