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    8 Fun and Engaging Activities To Teach Kids Gratitude - 2022-11-07 08:00:00-05

Showing kids how to be grateful can be tough in today’s society. There’s so much focus on getting and having, that it can be hard to shift gears and think about all the things we’re thankful for. But instilling a sense of gratitude in our kids is important. Not only is it the right thing to do, but studies have shown that grateful people are happier and healthier. So, how can we teach kids gratitude … to really be grateful? Read on for some fun and easy ideas!

Fun And Easy Ways to Teach Kids Gratitude

There is no right or wrong way to teach kids about gratitude and being thankful. As long as you are helping them focus on the good things in their life, you’re on the right track!

However, that doesn’t mean teaching kids to be grateful in all things just happens naturally. Here are some of our favorite ideas to teach kids all about being grateful, not only around Thanksgiving, but all year long!

Thankful Scavenger Hunt

A Thankful Scavenger Hunt is a great activity to do with kids of all ages. Give your kids a list of things to find around the house or yard that they’re thankful for. It can be things like a toy they love, a comfortable bed, food in the fridge, etc. Once they’ve found everything on the list, have them come back and tell you why they’re thankful for each item.

Make A Thankful Tree

A Thankful Tree is a great way to visually see all the things your kids are grateful for. You can use a real tree (such as a Christmas tree or something similar) or make one out of construction paper. This is actually something we do every single year and the kids absolutely love it!

Every day, have your child write down or dictate something they’re thankful for and hang it on the tree. You can even turn it into a game by seeing who can find the most unique things to be thankful for!

You can use cute paper ornaments (like these Christ Giving Tree ornaments) to dress things up, you can use paper leaf printouts, or you can use regular pieces of paper. The choice is yours and whatever you chose to use, your kids will have fun thinking of things they are grateful for every single day.

Have a Thankfulness Picnic

Spread out a blanket and enjoy a special lunch outdoors or if the weather is too frightful, on your living room floor. As you eat, take turns sharing things you’re thankful for. This is a great way to connect with your kids and tour the neighborhood (or your living room) at the same time!

Play Store

Get some old clothes or toys and set up a pretend store. Your child can be the customer or the shopkeeper, and practice saying “thank you” for purchases. This is also a great opportunity to teach basic math skills like counting money or making change.

Keep a Gratitude Journal

One of the best ways to help kids focus on gratitude is to encourage them to keep a gratitude journal. Every day, have them write down or dictate things they’re thankful for. This can be done first thing in the morning or right before bed. You can even do it as a family and share things you’re all grateful for at dinner each night.

You can use a regular notebook or you can find a fun gratitude journal for kids. Either option works well!

Make Gratitude Cards

Making gratitude cards together is a great way to spread the love and show your kids how easy it is to express gratitude. You can make them for family members, friends, or even people you don’t know well but who have done something kind, like the mail carrier or a grocery store clerk.

These cards can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. Fold some construction paper in half and let your child decorate them however they like. Then write down something you’re thankful for on the inside of each card, or write short notes for those who have done things you are grateful for.

These make great gifts for grandparents or other family members!

Gratitude Nature Walk

Take a nature walk and see how many things you can find that you’re thankful for. This is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise while also teaching kids about being grateful for the world around them.

Collect leaves or flowers as you go. Talk about why you’re thankful for each thing you find along the way – the color, the shape, the way it smells, etc. This is also a great opportunity to teach kids about different types of plants and animals.

Compliments Jar

Every time your child gives someone a compliment, they get to put a sticker, puffball, or marble in the jar. When it’s full, you can do something fun together, like make a special treat or go on a special outing. This is a great way to encourage kids to think of others and to express their gratitude.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but there are endless ways to teach kids about gratitude. If you need some more ideas, I’ve got 16+ gratitude activities for kids that are fun and engaging here. The most important thing is to make it fun and keep it positive! What are some other ways you like to teach your kids about gratitude?

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Gratitude is an important character trait that all children should learn, but it can be tough to remember to focus on what we’re thankful for when there’s so much emphasis placed on getting more stuff. By using some of these fun ideas, though, you can easily work gratitude into everyday life with your kids! And who knows – maybe you’ll even find yourself feeling more grateful as well!

Free Gratitude 5 Senses Spinner Game

Want even more gratitude teaching opportunities? How about a free Gratitude 5 Senses Spinner Game?

This free printable spinner game allows you to teach kids about each of the five senses while also learning about how we can be grateful for the world around us

All you need to do is download your spinner game and follow the instructions inside. Before you know it, you’ll be playing this hands-on, interactive gratitude game with your kids and having a ton of fun!

You can get the Gratitude 5 Senses Spinner Game by leaving your name & email. We’ll zip it on over to your inbox.

Charlene Hess spent many years teaching kids in volunteer positions before she had her own kids.

She now has 8 kids of her own, whom she has been homeschooling for the last 13 years. Charlene still teaches other children outside of her home but finds great joy in exploring the world with her family.

Charlene has participated in many leadership trainings with John C. Maxwell.

Charlene and her husband Benjamin blog about homeschooling and success principles for kids at https://hessunacademy.com. They also blog about homesteading at https://secretlifeofhomesteaders.com/.

You can find them at:

• Facebook Group
• Facebook Page
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• YouTube

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