5 Fun Ideas for Teaching Kids Gratitude

Don’t you think the holidays are awesome for teaching kids gratitude?

Me too! The holidays bring so many opportunities to teach children about gratitude. Since this is a fun time for kids, it’s nice if you can make lessons in gratitude fun for your kids.

There are so many fun ways for teaching kids gratitude at home and I wanted to share with you some of the fun ways we teach our kids to be thankful.

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5 Fun Ideas For Teaching Kids Gratitude

1. Go on a Nature Walk

Going on a fun nature walk is a great way to teach kids about gratitude. We take family walks and hikes all the time and our kids love exploring and looking at plants and animals.

Turn your next walk into a lesson in gratitude by talking about how lucky we are to have wildlife and plants around us. Talk with them about all the things there are to be thankful for outdoors.

2.  Ask Questions at Dinner Time

Start a new habit to ask talk about the best part of the day at dinner time. It’s a great way to start conversation with your kids about school and tie in a lesson in gratitude. After a family member talks about the best part of their day have them share what they were thankful for about that day.

Make this fun by taking turns. Have one of your kids draw a family member’s name out of a box or hat and that family member can have the spotlight at dinner to talk about the best part of their day and what they’re grateful for.

Don’t forget to ask everyone to share what they are thankful for at Thanksgiving dinner. This is one of my funnest Thanksgiving traditions!

3. Read About Gratitude

Reading is fun! At least in our home, my kids love reading and we love finding fun topics to read about. Here are some great books about gratitude to read during the holidays and for anytime.

Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson

The Thank You Book by Mo Willems

Thankful by Eileen Spinelli

  

Splat Says Thank You! by Rob Scotton

Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks by John Bucchino

   

4. Color It!

Do your kids love to draw and color?

Have them draw and color pictures of what they are thankful for and then talk about it with them. Grab the free What I’m Thankful For printable below. Perfect way to keep them busy over Thanksgiving break and a great conversation starter.

5. Give back in a fun way!

One of the best ways to teach gratitude to children is to show them how we can give back to people in need.

During the holidays you could do this by making Thanksgiving food baskets to take to your local homeless shelter or by playing Secret Santa to a family in need during Christmas. Get your kids involved in these activities and let them do the giving.

Do you have any ideas for making lessons in gratitude fun? How do you and your kids give back during the holidays? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!