As the cooler autumn air rolls in and the days get a little shorter, we find ourselves approaching a season that encourages reflection, warmth, and thankfulness. Thanksgiving is more than just a time for turkey and pumpkin pie — it’s a meaningful opportunity to pause, connect, and acknowledge the many blessings in our lives.
And what better time than now to begin cultivating a sense of gratitude in our children?
Yes, gratitude is about saying thank you and being polite, but more importantly, it’s a lifelong value that helps kids develop empathy, resilience, and happiness. And encouraging it can be easier than you think. By trying out a few simple and meaningful gratitude activities for kids, you can nurture an attitude of appreciation that lasts far beyond the holiday season.
Why Gratitude Matters — Especially for Kids
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy for children — and us adults too! — to get caught up in what they don’t have, rather than appreciating what they do. Encouraging kids to reflect on what they’re thankful for helps ground them in positivity and promotes emotional well-being.
Gratitude has been linked to a number of mental health benefits in both children and adults, including:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Better sleep and improved mood
- Increased empathy and pro-social behavior
- Stronger relationships with peers and family
- Greater overall life satisfaction
By practicing gratitude regularly, children learn to recognize and express appreciation for the people and experiences that make life meaningful. And the earlier these habits are established, the more natural they become.
The Perfect Time of Year for Gratitude
While gratitude can and should be practiced year-round, the Thanksgiving season offers kiddos the perfect backdrop. The holidays bring families together, create moments of reflection, and offer numerous opportunities for meaningful conversations.
Rather than focusing solely on material gifts or the excitement of holiday gatherings, you can use this season to gently guide children toward recognizing the more profound joys in their lives — such as friendships, kindness, everyday comforts, and acts of love.
Ready to get started? Below is a collection of gratitude activities for kids that are fun, age-appropriate, and deeply impactful.
25 Gratitude Activities for Kids
Looking for meaningful ways to help kids express appreciation this season? These fun and enriching gratitude activities for kids are perfect for fostering thankfulness at home, school, and every part of daily life. Each one offers a hands-on, heart-centered way to teach children the value of gratitude in everyday moments.
1. Gratitude Jar
Have your child decorate a mason jar with paint, stickers, or ribbon, then fill it daily or weekly with small notes about things they’re thankful for. Read the notes together at the end of the month or on Thanksgiving Day as a beautiful reminder of the good things in their life.
2. Thankful Tree
Create a paper tree on the wall or use a real branch placed in a vase. Each day, your child can add a paper “leaf” labeled with something they’re thankful for, watching the tree fill out as the month progresses.
3. Gratitude Collage
Use old magazines, family photos, or printed images to create a collage of things your child loves and appreciates. It’s a creative and visual way to reflect on blessings — and makes a great piece of seasonal artwork!
4. Circle of Thanks
Gather as a family and go around in a circle, with each person naming one thing they’re grateful for. This simple practice builds connection and helps children see gratitude modeled by others.
5. Gratitude Walk
Take a walk outside and encourage your child to observe nature, pointing out things they are thankful for — such as the sound of leaves crunching underfoot or a cool breeze on their face. It’s mindfulness, gratitude, and sensory play rolled into one.
6. Thank You Notes
Teach kids how to write thank-you letters to someone who has had a positive impact on them — a coach, a teacher, or a grandparent. Writing these notes helps them recognize kindness, build strong social bonds, and even help with handwriting and fine motor skills.
7. Gratitude Drawing
Provide crayons, markers, and paper, and have your child draw something or someone they are grateful for. Encourage them to explain why they chose it — this sparks reflection and expressive skills.
8. A to Z Gratitude Game
Challenge your child to name one thing they’re thankful for that starts with each letter of the alphabet. This fun game gets their brains working and helps them appreciate a wide range of things — from animals to experiences.
9. Gratitude Calendar
Create a monthly calendar and fill each day with a new gratitude prompt or space for your child to write or draw what they’re thankful for. By the end of the month, you’ll have a beautiful record of positive reflections.
10. Thankful Chain
Cut colorful strips of paper, and have your child write something they’re thankful for on each one. This gratitude activity for children involves looping and stapling the strips together to form a growing chain of gratitude that can be hung around the room.
11. Gratitude Storytime
Choose children’s books that highlight thankfulness, such as The Thankful Book by Todd Parr. After reading, talk about the story and ask your child to share something they’re thankful for, just like the characters.
12. Thankful Pumpkin
Instead of carving a pumpkin, write something your child is thankful for on it each day with a marker. By Thanksgiving, the pumpkin will be covered in words of appreciation.
13. Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of things for your child to find around the house or yard that they are grateful for — like a favorite book, a cozy blanket, or a snack. It’s a playful way to encourage awareness of everyday blessings.
14. “I’m Thankful For…” Placemat
Have your child design a Thanksgiving placemat with drawings, words, or handprints that represent what they’re thankful for. Laminate it for repeated use and a sweet holiday keepsake.
15. Gratitude Poem
Encourage older children to write a short poem about gratitude or craft an acrostic using the word “THANKFUL.” Poetry allows kids to explore emotions creatively and meaningfully.
16. Thankful Handprint
This fun craft activity involves tracing your child’s hand on a piece of paper and writing one thing they’re thankful for on each finger. Repeat this activity with different gratitude themes, like family, nature, or school.
17. Gratitude Bingo
Create a bingo card filled with gratitude-related actions like “Say thank you,” “Give a compliment,” or “Draw a picture for someone.” Challenge kids to complete a row each day or week.
18. Kindness Coupons
Let kids create coupons they can give to others — like “One free hug,” “Helping with chores,” or “A kind word.” This gratitude activity for kids shows that appreciation is best expressed through action.
19. Gratitude Interview
Help your child interview a friend or family member about what they’re thankful for. Record the answers in a notebook or on video for a sweet keepsake and a deeper understanding of others’ perspectives.
20. Reflection Rocks
Find smooth rocks and let your child paint or draw something they’re thankful for on each one. Keep them in a basket or jar to create a tactile “gratitude collection” they can return to often.
21. Gratitude Puppet Show
Use puppets, dolls, or stuffed animals to put on a mini play where characters express gratitude for one another. It’s a fun and imaginative way to reinforce kind words and actions.
22. Thank You Video
Record your child saying ‘thank you’ to someone special and explaining what they appreciate about them. Send it as a surprise message that’s sure to brighten someone’s day.
23. Gratitude Garden
Create a paper flower for each thing your child is grateful for and “plant” them in a shoebox or flowerpot. As the garden grows, so does their awareness of life’s blessings.
24. “Why I’m Grateful For You” Cards
Help your child write or decorate cards for friends, family, or teachers with specific reasons they’re thankful for that person. Giving them out spreads joy and strengthens relationships.
25. Gratitude Time Capsule
Have your child write down what they’re thankful for right now, then seal it in an envelope or small box. Open it next Thanksgiving and reflect together on how things have changed or stayed the same.
Making Gratitude a Habit
The beauty of these gratitude activities for kids is that they are simple yet powerful. Whether you choose to do one or all of them, the most important part is consistency and sincerity. Gratitude becomes a habit when practiced regularly — and children often learn best by example. So don’t be afraid to join in on the fun!
Create a family tradition of sharing thanks around the dinner table—model appreciation for the little things. Encourage your child to find beauty in everyday moments. The more we shine a light on the good, the more our children will too.
Gratitude — A Gift That Keeps Giving
Fostering gratitude in children helps them develop a positive outlook, strengthen relationships, and improve their emotional well-being. It’s a skill that equips them for life — giving them a sturdy foundation to navigate challenges and celebrate joys with a thankful heart.
This holiday season, take time to slow down, reflect, and make gratitude a shared family value. These gratitude activities for kids offer an engaging, heartfelt way to start.
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This post is for educational and informational purposes only. You should always speak with your therapist before implementing this information on your own.
