Time flies when you’re keeping up with the Shepards. Honestly, it feels like only yesterday Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard were the "it" couple of quirky parenting, making headlines for their strict no-paparazzi rules. Now? They’ve got two full-blown pre-teens on their hands.
As of early 2026, the age gap between their girls remains a tight 21 months, but the developmental shift is massive. If you’ve followed their journey from the Frozen era to now, seeing them navigate the middle school years is a trip.
Kristen Bell Kids Ages: The 2026 Breakdown
The Shepard household is currently powered by a 12-year-old and an 11-year-old. Here is the specific math on their two daughters:
- Lincoln Bell Shepard: Born March 28, 2013. She is 12 years old.
- Delta Bell Shepard: Born December 19, 2014. She is 11 years old.
It’s a wild phase. Lincoln is officially entering the "young teen" territory, while Delta is right on her heels. Kristen has often joked that they’re basically "united against the parents" at this point. That sisterly bond hasn't faded, even if the tantrums have shifted from "I want a snack" to "I need my own space."
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Why the Shepard Parenting Style is Different Now
Most celebrity parents try to paint this perfect, filtered picture of family life. Kristen and Dax? Not so much. They’ve been famously open about the "family triangle"—a tactic they use where everyone sits with their toes touching in a circle to talk through big emotions.
It sounds a bit "woo-woo," but when you have an 11 and 12-year-old in the house, communication is everything. Kristen told Today's Parent that she doesn't make them say "sorry" because it's not active enough. Instead, they ask, "What do you need?" Usually, the answer is "an ice pack" or "some space," which is incredibly relatable for anyone with kids this age.
The "Free-Range" Evolution
Dax Shepard has been vocal about their "free-range" approach. In 2025, he mentioned on his podcast, Armchair Expert, that he trusts the girls to navigate the world with a bit of autonomy. He’s the guy who taught Lincoln to ride a motorcycle when she was barely out of diapers. By now, they’ve got a level of independence that would make most helicopter parents sweat.
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They’re taught how to flag a stranger if they're lost and how to get home on their own. It’s about building "anti-fragility," a concept they’ve discussed with psychologists like Jonathan Haidt. Basically, they want their kids to be "cars that can drive anywhere," not just cars that sit in the garage.
The Privacy Paradox
Even in 2026, you won’t find many clear photos of Lincoln or Delta’s faces on social media. Kristen and Dax were pioneers of the #NoKidsPolicy, pushing for laws that protect the children of celebrities from aggressive paparazzi.
The irony isn't lost on the public.
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While they protect their faces, they are incredibly candid about their kids' lives. We know about their sleepwalking habits. We know they’ve tried non-alcoholic beer with their parents. We know they have blunt conversations about Dax's sobriety and the reality of addiction. It’s a "vulnerability first" household. Some people think it’s TMI (Too Much Information), but for Kristen, it’s about removing the stigma from hard topics before the girls are old enough to face them alone.
Real-Life Dynamics in 2026
- Hobbies: The girls are big on the outdoors. Think hiking trails and "family mascots" (their rescue dogs).
- Education: They’ve attended schools that prioritize emotional intelligence, which explains why they talk like little therapists sometimes.
- The "Sister Fight" Factor: Kristen has admitted the girls fight "almost 100 percent of the time." It’s a comfort to know that even Anna from Frozen deals with sibling bickering.
Managing the Pre-Teen Transition
If you are looking at Kristen Bell kids ages because you are also navigating the pre-teen years, there is a lot to learn from their "radical honesty" approach. They treat their daughters like "tiny people with big emotions" rather than just kids who need to be told what to do.
Actionable Insights for Parents:
- Stop saying "It's okay": Kristen suggests validating the feeling instead. If they're embarrassed, let them feel it.
- Bedtime Brain: Use the 15 minutes before sleep for the big talks. According to Bell, that’s when kids’ brains are most open to reflecting on the day’s conflicts.
- The "What do you need?" Pivot: Next time your kids are fighting, ditch the forced apology and ask what they actually need from the other person to move on.
The Shepard-Bell household is proof that you can be protective and "over-sharers" at the same time. As Lincoln and Delta head toward their teenage years, the world will likely keep watching—even if we never actually see their faces.
Next Steps: Check out the latest episodes of Armchair Expert for Dax’s candid updates on "Dad Life," or follow Kristen’s Instagram for her "Mom Truths" that usually involve a lot of relatable chaos and very little sleep.