As we look ahead to 2026, goal-setting isn’t just about making a list of resolutions: it’s about building systems that help you stay motivated and visualize progress. Vision boards have recently surged in popularity as a way to visualize goals using images, affirmations, and design elements that reflect your aspirations.

At the same time, the goal bingo trend is exploding on platforms like TikTok and Pinterest, where people turn their yearly goals into bingo cards, gamifying the process and making achievement more interactive.

Whether you’re drawn to the tactile satisfaction of cutting and gluing or the ease of designing a digital vision board or bingo card with tools like Kapwing, this guide will walk you through how to create a 2026 board that keeps your goals visible, energizing, and fun all year long.

How to Make a 2026 Vision Board (Step-by-Step + Template)

A vision board is a creative tool that helps you visualize your goals, dreams, and intentions for the year ahead. It’s typically a collage of images, words, and affirmations that represent what you want to experience or achieve, like landing a new job, prioritizing wellness, or traveling more. The idea is that when you see your goals every day, you're more likely to stay inspired and aligned with them.

In 2026, vision boards are being reimagined with digital tools like Kapwing, which let you build an aesthetic, customized board you can save, share, and even use as your phone or desktop wallpaper. But you can also go the traditional route with scissors, glue, and a stack of magazines. Here’s how to do it, no matter your style.

@rubyguestt They r so cute! #visionboard #2026 #manifestation #goals #yoursign ♬ I've Seen It - Olivia Dean

Step 1: Reflect on What You Want in 2026

Before gathering visuals, take 10–15 minutes to brainstorm around these prompts:

• What would make 2026 feel meaningful or successful?
• What areas of your life need more attention (health, career, relationships, creativity)?
• Are there habits, mindsets, or environments you want to shift?

Expert Tip: Use the “Be, Do, Have” method: Who do you want to be? What do you want to do? What do you want to have? This helps clarify goals that align with your deeper values.

Step 2: Choose a Format

Before you start designing your vision board, decide how you want to use it:

• Digital boards are great if you want to save it as a phone lock screen, desktop background, or share it on Instagram. Use our free 2026 vision board template on Kapwing to drag and drop your goals into an aesthetic layout.
• Physical boards let you engage with your goals tactilely: cutting out images, using stickers, and handwriting affirmations can help your brain connect emotionally to your intentions.

Expert Tip: If you're indecisive, start digital and print it out later!

Step 3: Gather Visuals, Quotes & Words

This step is all about turning abstract ideas into visuals that feel real and motivating. Whether you're dreaming of financial stability, better health, stronger relationships, or creative success, the right visuals can help your brain connect emotionally with your goals.

You'll want to find:

• Images that represent your goals (e.g., a strong person doing yoga = health goal)
• Quotes or affirmations that match your mindset
• Symbols or icons (e.g., a plane = travel, a dollar sign = saving money)

You could search Pinterest or Unsplash to find these images. If you are using Kapwing, you can find stock images in the visuals tab through search.

Step 4: Finalize, Save, and Display

Once your 2026 vision board is complete, the most important step is putting it somewhere you’ll actually see. If you designed a digital vision board, you can download it as a PNG for printing, or use it as your laptop/phone wallpaper.

If you made a physical board, hang it somewhere visible, like above your desk, on your closet door, or next to your mirror. You can even take a photo of your physical board and use it as your phone lock screen for extra visibility.

Creative Vision Board Ideas to Try in 2026

If you're feeling stuck on what to include or how to lay out your board, don't worry, there's no one "right" way to make a vision board. What matters most is that it feels meaningful and motivating to you. Here are some creative, beginner-friendly ideas to help you personalize your 2026 vision board.

Try a Theme-Based Vision Board

Pick a central theme or word of the year—like “Growth,” “Freedom,” “Focus”—and build your board around it. Every image and quote should support that energy or intention. This keeps your board visually unified and emotionally resonant.

Organize by Life Categories

Split your board into sections like:

• Mind (mental health, mindset)
• Body (fitness, nutrition, rest)
• Work (career, side projects, income)
• Relationships (friendship, dating, family)

Create a “Future Me” Board

Instead of just focusing on goals, ask: What does the ideal version of me in December 2026 look like? Find visuals that reflect how you want to dress, act, feel, or spend your time. This turns your board into a snapshot of your future identity—not just a to-do list.

Add Interactive or Multimedia Elements

If you're using a digital board, embed QR codes that link to:

• A motivational Spotify playlist
• A private Pinterest board
• Your Notion or Google Docs goal tracker
• A short video message to your future self

How to Make a 2026 Goal Bingo Card (Step-by-Step + Template)

A goal bingo card is a fun, low-pressure way to stay accountable to your 2026 goals. Instead of listing resolutions and forgetting them by February, a bingo card gamifies your progress, encouraging you to complete small wins across the year. Every time you accomplish a goal, you mark it off your card. Get five in a row? You’ve got bingo. Fill the whole board? You’ve crushed your year.

You can use our free 2026 bingo card template to get started instantly, whether you want to print it or customize it online.

Step 1: Brainstorm 24 Specific Goals

Each square on your bingo card should contain one actionable, achievable goal. The center space is traditionally a “free” space.

When choosing what to put in each square, aim for specific experiences or milestones, rather than broad themes like “read more” or “be creative.” This makes your goals easier to measure. For example, “Read 3 books by March” is clearer and more actionable than just “read books.”

Here are some examples:

• “Read 3 books by March”
• “Update my resume”
• “Go one full week without takeout”
• “Try a new creative hobby”
• “Take a solo day trip”

Step 2: Customize Your Bingo Card

Now it’s time to bring your 2026 goal bingo card to life. Start by opening a free 2026 Goal Bingo Template or sketching a 5x5 grid by hand

If you're using Kapwing, you can:

• Type in your own goals
• Fully customize the font, colors, and grid number
• Color-code each square based on goal categories (health, work, self-care, etc.)
• Resize and export it for printing, sharing, or setting as a phone background

If you’re going the analog route, you can use:

• Handwritten goal prompts
• Stickers or drawings to mark categories
• A printed template you fill in yourself

No matter which format you choose, the goal is the same: to create a board that’s fun to use and easy to revisit throughout the year. The more visually engaging and personalized it is, the more likely you’ll stay excited to complete it.

Step 3: Save or Print Your Board

Once your 2026 goal bingo card is finished, the most important step is placing it somewhere you’ll see it regularly. If you created your card in Kapwing, you can download it as a high-resolution image. Set it as your desktop background, phone lock screen, or insert it into your digital planner.

If you made a physical bingo card, display it where it’s easy to access, like on your wall, mirror, fridge, or inside your journal. For a more durable option, laminate it or slip it into a clear sleeve so you can mark off goals with dry-erase markers and reuse it throughout the year.

Creative Goal Bingo Ideas for 2026

Your 2026 goal bingo card isn’t just a checklist, it’s a system for staying engaged with your personal growth throughout the year. By using in creative ways, you can transform a simple 5x5 grid into a intentional space that reflects your values, challenges your comfort zone, and keeps you inspired beyond January.

Choose a Strategic Theme

Anchoring your bingo card around a theme can give it clarity and emotional focus. Consider aligning it with your “word of the year” or overarching life direction. Examples:

• “Level Up” – Goals related to leadership, skill mastery, and income growth
• “Soft Life” – Intentional rest, boundaries, joy, and inner peace
• “Creative Expansion” – Launches, daily habits, skill-building, and sharing work
• “Whole Health” – Physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational well-being

Add Photos That Represent Each Goal

Instead of (or in addition to) writing your goals, drop in small images or icons that visually represent each one.

Use photos from Pinterest, Unsplash, a stock image library, or even your own camera roll for a personal touch.

Make a Mobile Version

Resize your bingo card to fit your phone screen and use it as a lock screen or wallpaper. It’s a subtle way to keep your goals front-of-mind without needing to open an app or planner.