10 Gratitude Activities for Kids
With Thanksgiving and the holiday season just around the corner, it is the perfect time for us to remind our kids about the importance of gratitude. In this 3 part series, we have scoured the web looking for the best activities and books to help encourage our kids to be more thankful.
The first part of our series includes 10 of our favorite gratitude activities.
1. GRATITUDE STONES
Fireflies and Mudpies has a fun activity called Gratitude Stones. A simple DIY project with different ways to show gratitude, not just to the family but also the community. She also provides multiple ways of using the stones: from family time and calming down strong feelings to spreading joy beyond the home.
https://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/gratitude-stones/
2. TREE OF THANKS
Mama, Papa, and Bubba share a fun DIY gratitude activity called the Tree of Thanks. Using coffee filters, food coloring and cardboard, she created a beautiful tree with each leaf representing something they were grateful for. Check out directions for the activity at http://mamapapabubba.com/2013/10/14/tree-of-thanks-things-miss-g-is-thankful-for-2013/
3. THE GRATITUDE GAME
Teach Beside Me created a fun game to help children understand the meaning of being grateful. Using colored Pop-Up Sticks, each color represents a category (i.e., person, place or thing) that you are grateful for. Directions can be found at https://teachbesideme.com/gratitude-game-pick-sticks/
4. GRATITUDE SCAVENGER HUNT
Who doesn't love a Scavenger Hunt? Let's Get Together put together a fun Gratitude Scavenger Hunt ranging from finding something outdoors to something you love to eat. Using interactive activities are such a great way for children to understand the concept of being thankful.
You can download the scavenger hunt at http://lets-get-together.com/2014/10/18/gratitude-photo-scavenger-hunt/
5. GRATITUDE JOURNAL
A great way to practice Gratitude is to write down the many things you are grateful for. Enjoy the Learning Journey put together a beautiful Gratitude Journal that you can download for free. You can print out the 31 Day Journal and then bind it for your kids. Get the free download at http://enjoythelearningjourney.com/gratitude-journal-for-kids/
6. THANKFUL TURKEY
It is never too early to start teaching kids about gratitude. Busy Toddler has a fun craft for toddlers to help them understand this concept. Just in time for Thanksgiving, toddlers can make a turkey and have each feather represent something or someone they are grateful for. You can find directions for the Thankful Turkey at
http://busytoddler.com/2016/11/teaching-toddlers-to-be-thankful/
7: THANKSGIVING COOTIE CATCHER
Bren Did shares a cootie catcher to help encourage the discussion of gratitude. A fun and meaningful activity for all, it helps children discuss things in their lives that they are grateful. You can get this free printable download at https://brendid.com/gratitude-activity-for-kids-thanksgiving-cootie-catcher/
8. GRATITUDE GARLAND
The Gratitude Garland by Somewhat Simple is a simple and meaningful project that you can use to decorate and remind the family about gratitude. Stephanie, the creator of Somewhat Simple, created this beautiful garland that you can just download, fill out, cut and hang. It doesn't get any simpler than that! You can download template at https://www.somewhatsimple.com/simple-thanksgiving-craft-gratitude-garland-free-download/
9. Family Gratitude Jar
This project is something that begins in preparation for Thanksgiving, but I can see it being a tradition all year long! Get Away Today's Gratitude Jar is simple but powerful. Starting November 1st, each family member writes down something they are grateful for. Throughout November, they watch the gratitude jar fill up and then they read through them on Thanksgiving. This activity just warms my heart thinking about this and excited to do this with my family.
https://www.getawaytoday.com/blogs/2013-11-01/november-tradition-family-gratitude-jar-tutorial
10. Thankful Heart
I love this activity from Let's Lasso the Moon. Using scraps of fabric (or make them from paper). On Thanksgiving Day, the family hands out hearts to those who have done something kind for them without being asked. Along with passing the hearts, she created a chart to keep track of the kind acts people have done for them. You can get directions for the hearts and download the chart at
https://letslassothemoon.com/2013/10/18/thanksgiving-kids-activity/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes
We hope you can take one or more of these activities and implement with your family this Thanksgiving season. It is so important to teach children at a young age about being thankful. These activities are not only fun, but also helps us encourage being grateful. Do you have any gratitude activities that you like to do as a family?