Fun Thankfulness, Gratitude, & Appreciation Activities for Kids

Gratitude is the easiest and the hardest thing to practice. We all know we can be more thankful, but it can be hard to remember to be thankful when life throws us curve balls.

It can be even harder to teach our kids to be grateful. It can definitely be a skill. However, so much research shows that living in an attitude of gratitude makes us happier. The world could definitely use a little more gratitude. Help the little people in your life have more gratitude with these simple thankfulness activities for kids.

Top Reasons to do Thankfulness Activities with Kids

You could probably come up with a million reasons to be thankful, but I think some of the biggest reasons among them are:

• Having gratitude makes you happier.
• It can improve your mental health. It makes you happier, but it can also just help your overall mental health.
• Improves relationships. People are more likely to do things for others when it is reciprocated with gratitude.
• It can improve your physical health. That is a little mind blowing.
• You create a positive environment for yourself and those around you.
• Builds self-esteem.
• Builds spirituality.

This post contains affiliate links. 

Thankfulness & Appreciation Activities for Kids List

There are several different thankfulness activities for kids you can do. You’ve probably done some of the before. In our family we try to have a month of gratitude every year, every November, and we implement at least one of these activities.

Gratitude Jar

A gratitude jar is a very popular way to celebrate gratitude. There are a few different ways you can do it. Our favorite is to put something in the jar everyday that you’re grateful for, and then read them at the end of the month or year. You can get a gratitude jar template here.

Gratitude Chain

This is very similar to a gratitude jar, only you start by making a paper chain. We try to see how long we can get it in a month. Try to write down something everyday or even more. You can get a gratitude chain template here.

Gratitude Journal

This is great for older kids. You can buy one on Amazon and they have some pretty good thankful prompts, or you can download this fun gratitude journal template.

Gratitude Challenge

Start a gratitude challenge. It’s a great way to incorporate a lot of different ideas while making it a fun challenge to complete. Download for FREE here.

One Line a Day of Gratitude

I love the one line a day books. This book is just a line a day about gratitude, and it lasts for three years. It’s a perfect way to be grateful for the small things in our lives, and great for teens.

Thankful Tree

We do a thankful tree every year in our family. The kids love and have started looking forward to it. You can set it up anywhere and any time. It’s great around Thanksgiving. You can download a template here for FREE.

Thankful Turkey

Make a fun thankful turkey for Thanksgiving this year. A really fun and simple craft for kids. You can download it here for FREE.

Service Projects

A great way to remember what you’re grateful for is to serve someone else. It’s good to forget yourself every once and awhile and serve someone. You can download a service challenge for kids here.

Thankful Prompts

You can think of so many different things you are grateful for, especially when you have prompts. Download these daily prompts that will last you a month.

Pray

You can’t thank the Lord enough for all the things in your life. Try saying a prayer where you focus only on giving thanks for your blessings.

Gratitude Walks

Take a walk with your family and point out things you’re thankful for along the way, such as flowers, birds, or a nice breeze.

Gratitude Collage

Cut out pictures from magazines or draw items you’re thankful for, and make a collage to display.

Paint Rocks

Painting rocks is severely under-rated. I love it. It’s fun to paint on a different canvas. You could paint things you’re grateful for and then display them.

Gratitude Affirmations

Say gratitude affirmations every day so you can get in the right attitude of gratitude. Download these fun gratitude affirmations for kids.

Kindness Jar

Kindness and gratitude go hand in hand. Start a kindness jar by filling up a mason jar with pom poms every time you do something kind for someone. Set a goal as a family to fill it up and win a prize.

Study Christ

Read the scriptures and study Christ’s life, or read some thankful scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Psalm 107:1, Colossians 3:17, Philippians 4:6, Psalm 136:1.

Decorate a Pumpkin

Have you ever decorated a pumpkin by writing different things you are grateful for on it? You could do it all at once, or set it out and write on it throughout the month. A fun and cute way to decorate it while practicing gratitude.

Thank You Notes

You can never write enough thank you notes. Have you ever thought about having a goal of writing one once a week? I’m sure there are a ton of people you could thank.

Gratitude Coloring Pages

Best Thankfulness & Gratitude Games for Youth

Now that you have a bunch of thankfulness activity ideas for kids, let’s review some fun games you could play all about gratitude and showing appreication.

Gratitude Bingo

Life is Good Complain Game

This is a great game to play when one of your kids is having a bad day. Sit in a circle and pass around a beach ball. When you get the ball you say, “I had a bad day because ____, but life is good.” You can change it up to fit your family. It helps everyone’s mood and gets “life is good” stuck in your head.

Alphabet Gratitude Game

List something you’re thankful for that starts with each letter of the alphabet. You can download the game here.

Gratitude Scavenger Hunt

Find objects around your home that remind you of things you’re thankful for, like a favorite book or a cozy blanket. Turn it into a race, or write a list of items and have your kids find them all. Discuss all the ways those things bring happiness and value into your life.

Thankful Dice Game

This is a fun game you can enjoy as a family, whether you’re using dice or candy. Depending on the number you roll or the candy you pick, you’ll share something specific that you’re grateful for.

Gratitude Cube

This engaging game involves assembling a colorful cube craft and then rolling it like a dice. Each side of the cube prompts you to share something you’re thankful for.

Beach Ball Thankful Game

Turn a simple beach ball into a fun game by writing on the different segments with different questions or statements about gratitude. Some examples include “who is someone you’re grateful for” or “name a food you can’t live without”, etc.

Things Kids Learn from These Thankfulness Activities

Kids learn a variety of valuable lessons from participating in different thankful activities, which include the following items.

• Appreciation of the Present Moment: Thankful activities encourage kids to focus on what they have now, teaching them to appreciate the simple joys and everyday blessings in their lives.
• Positive Thinking: By regularly reflecting on what they’re grateful for, kids learn to cultivate a positive mindset, which can help them approach life’s challenges with optimism.
• Empathy and Compassion: When kids express gratitude, they become more aware of the kindness and efforts of others, fostering empathy and compassion toward those around them.
• Improved Relationships: Thankful activities often involve recognizing and expressing gratitude to others, which strengthens bonds with family, friends, and peers.
• Increased Self-Esteem: Recognizing their own strengths, talents, and achievements through gratitude helps kids build self-confidence and a healthy sense of self-worth.
• Kindness and Generosity: Grateful kids are more likely to pay it forward by being kind and generous to others, understanding the importance of giving as well as receiving.
• Contentment and Satisfaction: By appreciating what they have, kids are less likely to focus on what they lack, leading to greater contentment and a sense of satisfaction with their lives.

The list goes on and on. Overall, thankfulness can improve your life.

Which kids thankfulness and gratitude activities will you be trying out?

Teaching and practicing gratitude isn’t just about good manners—it’s about cultivating a mindset that helps us navigate life’s ups and downs with a positive outlook. While it can be challenging to remember to be thankful, especially during tough times, the benefits of fostering gratitude are undeniable.

By guiding your children through these simple activities, you’re not only helping them develop a valuable life skill but also contributing to their overall happiness and well-being. Let’s make the world a little brighter by embracing and spreading more gratitude, one small act at a time.