Gratitude activities for kids are a powerful way to help them slow down, notice the good around them, and develop a more positive outlook. In a world where children can easily feel overwhelmed by daily stress or outside influences, teaching gratitude helps build empathy, emotional resilience, and stronger connections with others. Whether you are a parent or a teacher, introducing simple and fun gratitude practices can make a big difference. Before diving into the activities, let’s take a quick look at how gratitude can benefit kids in meaningful ways.
10+ Gratitude Activities for Kids
Let’s explore a variety of fun and age-appropriate activities that help kids develop a thankful heart.
1. Gratitude Jar
This classic activity helps kids actively recognize and appreciate the good things in their lives, no matter how small. It’s a wonderful way to build a habit of positive reflection.
Materials Needed:
- A clear jar or container
- Small slips of paper
- Pens or markers
Instructions:
- Decorate the jar together, making it special.
- Throughout the week, encourage your child to write down or draw things they’re grateful for on the slips of paper.
- Fold the papers and put them into the jar.
- Once a week (or whenever you choose), open the jar and read the slips aloud. This is a great opportunity to discuss what makes them feel thankful.
2. Thank You Note Writing
Teaching kids to express gratitude through written notes helps them understand the impact of others’ kindness and provides a tangible way to say “thank you.”
Materials Needed:
- Blank cards or paper
- Envelopes (optional)
- Pens, markers, or crayons
- Stamps (if mailing)
Instructions:
- Help your child identify someone they’re grateful for (a family member, friend, teacher, or even a community helper).
- Guide them in writing a simple thank you note, focusing on what that person did or said that made them feel good. For younger children, they can draw a picture.
- Discuss why it’s important to thank people and how it makes both the giver and receiver feel.
- Encourage them to deliver or mail the note.
3. Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
Turn thankfulness into an exciting game! A gratitude scavenger hunt encourages kids to actively look for things to appreciate in their environment.
Download the Gratitude Scavenger Hunt worksheet and let the thankful fun begin!
Materials Needed:
- A list of items to find (e.g., “something green you’re grateful for,” “a sound you’re thankful for,” “something that makes you laugh”)
- Pencil or crayon
- Basket or bag for collecting (optional)
Instructions:
- Create a list of things for your child to find that spark gratitude. Tailor the list to your environment (indoors, outdoors, a park).
- Explain that they are “hunting” for things that make them feel thankful.
- Go on the scavenger hunt together, pointing out and discussing each item they find.
- After the hunt, talk about their favorite finds and why those things bring them joy.
4. Gratitude Walk
A gratitude walk is a simple yet powerful way to connect with nature and notice the beauty and blessings around us. It’s a chance to slow down and truly see.
Materials Needed:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- An open mind and observant eyes
Instructions:
- Go for a walk together in your neighborhood, a park, or even your backyard.
- As you walk, prompt your child to notice things they are grateful for. It could be the warmth of the sun, the sound of birds, the colors of flowers, or even seeing a friendly face.
- Encourage them to point out things they appreciate, and share your own observations.
- Discuss how good it feels to notice and appreciate the simple things in life.
5. Gratitude Tree
This visual activity creates a growing display of thankfulness, perfect for a classroom or a family’s home. It’s a beautiful reminder of all the blessings.
Materials Needed:
- A large branch or a drawing of a tree on paper
- Paper leaves (various colors)
- Hole punch
- String or yarn
- Pens or markers
- Tape or a vase to hold the branch
Instructions:
- If using a branch, place it in a vase. If using a drawing, attach it to a wall.
- Have your child write or draw one thing they are grateful for on each paper leaf.
- Punch a hole in each leaf and tie it to the branch with string, or tape it to the drawn tree.
- Over time, watch your gratitude tree “grow” with all the things your family is thankful for.
6. Gratitude Story Time
Reading books about gratitude can inspire conversations and help children understand the concept in a relatable way. Afterward, encourage them to share their own stories.
Materials Needed:
Children’s books about gratitude, thankfulness, or kindness (e.g., The Thank You Book by Mo Willems, Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson)
Instructions:
- Choose a quiet time to read a gratitude-themed book together.
- As you read, pause and discuss the characters’ feelings and actions related to gratitude.
- After reading, ask your child what they are grateful for in their own lives, or what lessons they learned from the story.
- Encourage them to share their own experiences of giving or receiving thanks.
7. “I Am Thankful For…” Drawings/Collage
Visual expression can be a powerful way for kids to articulate their feelings of gratitude, especially for those who are not yet strong writers.
Materials Needed:
- Paper or a large poster board
- Crayons, markers, colored pencils
- Old magazines, newspapers, or printed images
- Scissors (child-safe)
- Glue stick
Instructions:
- Provide your child with paper and art supplies.
- Ask them to draw or create a collage of all the things they are thankful for. This could include family, pets, toys, favorite foods, or experiences.
- For a collage, they can cut out pictures from magazines that represent things they appreciate and glue them onto the paper.
- When they are finished, have them share their artwork and explain each item they included.
8. Gratitude Chain
This activity creates a visual, tangible representation of growing gratitude. Each link in the chain represents a new thing to be thankful for.
Materials Needed:
- Strips of colored paper
- Pens or markers
- Stapler or glue stick
Instructions:
- Cut strips of paper, about 1-2 inches wide and 8-10 inches long.
- Have your child write or draw one thing they are grateful for on each strip.
- Form the first strip into a loop and staple or glue the ends together.
- For each subsequent strip, thread it through the previous loop before stapling or gluing to create a chain.
- Keep adding to the chain as new things come to mind, watching it grow longer and longer.
9. Gratitude Board Game
Create a simple board game where the goal is to land on squares that prompt expressions of gratitude. This makes being thankful fun and interactive.
Materials Needed:
- Large piece of paper or poster board
- Markers or crayons
- Dice
- Small game pieces (coins, buttons, or small toys)
- Index cards or small slips of paper
Instructions:
- Draw a simple path on the paper, creating a “start” and “finish.” Divide the path into squares.
- On some squares, write prompts like “Name 3 things you’re grateful for in nature,” “Who are you thankful for today and why?” or “What food are you grateful for?”
- On other squares, add fun actions like “Move forward 2 spaces for being kind” or “Lose a turn if you forgot to say thank you.”
- Play the game together, taking turns rolling the dice and answering the gratitude prompts.
10. Daily Gratitude Check-in
Integrate gratitude into your daily routine with a quick check-in. This helps reinforce the habit of noticing and appreciating blessings regularly.
Materials Needed:
No specific materials, just your presence and a willingness to listen.
Instructions:
- Choose a consistent time each day, such as at dinner, before bed, or during breakfast.
- Go around the table or group and have each person share one thing they are grateful for from that day.
- For younger children, prompt them with questions like, “What made you smile today?” or “What was your favorite part of the day and why?”
- Listen attentively and affirm their responses, creating a positive and reflective atmosphere.
11. Gratitude Photo Journal
Encourage kids to capture moments of gratitude visually. This activity creates a personalized collection of happy memories and things they appreciate, building a tangible reminder of blessings.
Materials Needed:
- A camera (a smartphone camera works perfectly)
- A blank notebook or photo album
- Glue stick or photo corners
- Pens or markers
Instructions:
- Ask your child to take photos of things they feel grateful for throughout the day or week (e.g., pet, toy, meal, hug).
- Print the photos (small size is fine).
- Help your child glue or place the photos into a notebook or photo album.
- Under each photo, let them write a short sentence about why they’re thankful.
- For younger kids, they can draw a happy face or you can write for them.
- Review the photo journal together regularly and talk about the memories.
Why do Gratitude Activities Matter for Kids?
Practicing gratitude isn’t just a feel-good habit—it comes with real, lasting benefits for children’s emotional, social, and academic growth. Here’s how incorporating gratitude activities can make a difference in the lives of students:
- Boosts mental well-being: Gratitude helps kids focus on the positive, which can lower stress levels and ease anxiety or negative thinking.
- Builds stronger connections: When children learn to recognize and appreciate others, they naturally strengthen friendships and create a more caring classroom environment.
- Encourages active learning: Feeling seen and valued increases students’ motivation to participate, making them more engaged in lessons and activities.
- Supports emotional development: Gratitude helps children manage emotions more calmly, improving their focus and ability to navigate challenges.
- Improves classroom behavior: A culture of thankfulness often leads to more respectful interactions and fewer disruptions.
- Boosts academic potential: A grateful mindset promotes resilience and perseverance, which can enhance overall academic performance.
- Fosters a growth mindset: When kids learn to appreciate progress over perfection, they become more open to learning and self-improvement.
In short, weaving gratitude into your daily routine doesn’t just brighten the mood—it lays the foundation for a more positive, connected, and thriving classroom experience that benefits everyone involved.
Final thoughts
Gratitude activities for kids are more than just fun ways to spend time together. They are meaningful tools that help children build emotional strength, develop kindness, and create stronger connections with those around them. When kids learn to recognize and appreciate the good in their daily lives, they begin to grow into more mindful and compassionate individuals. Whether you introduce these practices at home or in the classroom, each small moment of gratitude can help shape a more positive, thoughtful, and resilient generation.
