3 Lessons to Teach Your Kids from Kung Fu Panda 3

I’ve always loved the Kung Fu Panda movies. I suppose it takes adult feelings and life experience to truly appreciate the lessons to be learned from a chubby panda’s quest for peace as he navigates a life beyond anything he would have imagined. We didn’t have the movie on our radar just yet, but this weekend, some friends invited us to go. The kids jumped at the chance, excited to see a movie with others and remembering the endearing Po, his friends and their adventures. I’m so glad we went.

The movie was fabulous and as always with the Kung Fu Panda films, I left with so many positive thoughts flooding my mind. I wanted to stop right there and talk with my kids to make sure they understood the importance of the message beneath all the action and adventure. I’ve been considering these thoughts throughout most of the weekend, thinking about what to share with my children {ages 7 + 4}. That round and cuddly panda’s life is full of so many lessons we could use to guide our own.

Note: Because of the nature of the Kung Fu Pands movies, much of the story seems mystical and magical. Because we are a community that believes in the sovereignty of God and his creation, these lessons will point back to him as the source of our life and strength.

3 Lessons to Teach Your Kids from Kung Fu Panda 3

1. Life is one, big quest to find {and learn to love} who you were made to be. We do much of our searching through childhood and adolescence but the quest doesn’t stop there. Kids need to understand that we are still searching, too. Being vulnerable with our children about our own journey will help them as they navigate the road to finding who they were created to be.
2. You are strongest when you are being your true self. We believe God created each of us with a beautifully unique pattern of colors – our gifts, abilities, emotions and appearance. When we learn to love our truest self and walk confidently in our own skin, we have the strength we need to grow and thrive.
3. Each member of the community makes up an equally important, unique part of the whole. Community, and all of the uniqueness it provides, is vital to overcoming challenges and living an abundant life. When we notice and understand what each person brings to the group, we become stronger and better together.

One of the most important things I want to teach my children is to love who God made them to be. I want them to own who they are and find out how to use their uniqueness to make the world around them a better place. Po never thought he could actually be the dragon warrior. He knows he’s the most unqualified guy for the job. But in his humility, he finds great strength to be exactly what his community needs to overcome forces that only seem more powerful than he can bear. But he can’t do it on his own. Our Kung Fu Panda friends need each other. And so do we.

Have you seen Kung Fu Panda 3 yet? What were your biggest takeaways?

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