In today’s climate, it can be too easy for kids to get caught up with the concerns and worries of the adult world. That’s why it’s super important to teach our students that, despite the sometimes harsh realities of today’s world, there is always much to be grateful for. Practicing an attitude of gratitude is a skill that students can be taught and there is no better time than now to focus on gratitude as we head into the Thanksgiving season. Whether you are looking for a game, activity, or a craft project, there is something for everyone on our list of meaningful gratitude activities for kids of all ages.
But first, let’s take a look at how helping your students cultivate a strong gratitude practice can benefit them in school, at home, and in their personal growth and development.
Benefits of Gratitude Activities for Kids of All Ages
- Improved mental well-being: Regular gratitude practices can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, allowing students to develop a more positive and optimistic mindset.
- Stronger social bonds: Gratitude activities encourage students to acknowledge and appreciate one another’s efforts, fostering stronger relationships and a sense of community in the classroom.
- Increased student engagement: When students feel recognized and valued, they’re more likely to actively participate in class, which leads to greater engagement and enthusiasm for learning.
- Better emotional regulation: Gratitude helps students build emotional resilience, making it easier for them to manage their feelings and stay focused during class.
- Improved behavior: By promoting a culture of appreciation and respect, gratitude activities can reduce disruptive behaviors and contribute to a more positive classroom environment.
- Enhanced academic performance: A positive outlook fostered by gratitude can improve concentration and motivation, which often leads to better academic results.
- Development of a growth mindset: Gratitude activities shift the focus from outcomes to effort and progress, which reinforces the value of learning and self-improvement.
All in all, cultivating a gratitude practice with your students can create a more positive, supportive, and productive classroom environment, and give your students skills they can carry throughout their lifetime.
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Elementary School Gratitude Activities
Middle School Gratitude Activities
High School Gratitude Activities
Gratitude Activities for Kids in Elementary School
1. Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
Take some time with your students to actively look for things that we can be thankful for. Create a master list of items for your scavenger hunt. Include items like something that is your favorite color, something that smells good, something that makes you smile. Or perhaps something you’ve never noticed, something that makes your life easier, or someone you really like. Get creative and prepare your own list tailored to your group of kids. For more scavenger hunt ideas, check out our free printable scavenger hunts.
2. Gratitude Videos
As always, videos are a wonderful way to engage students on a topic. We’ve compiled a list of 22 awesome videos to help kids understand what gratitude is all about. From gratitude meditations to Kid President to short stories, there’s something on the list that will help your students connect.
Check it out: Gratitude Videos
3. Thankful Thanksgiving Turkey Craft
This simple craft is a meaningful way for kids to think about all that they are grateful for. Use a sturdy orange paper plate for the turkey’s body and glue “feathers” cut from different-colored construction paper to the back two-thirds of the way around. On each “feather,” have students write something they are thankful for—friends, family, home, school, etc. Finally, use a toilet paper roll painted brown for the body and add eyes, a beak, a wattle, and a hat made from a small cup painted black.
4. Pickup Sticks: Gratitude Edition
A simple yet fun variation on the classic game of pickup sticks that helps reinforce the practice of gratitude. Create a key that corresponds to the colors of your particular set of pickup sticks. To play, students will take turns selecting a stick, then finding the corresponding gratitude prompt on the key to share something they are thankful for. For example, the key may read “red = name a person you are grateful for,” “blue = name an activity you are grateful for,” etc.
Buy it: Pickup Sticks on Amazon
5. Gratitude Acrostics
Grab these free printable templates for a fun Thanksgiving (or anytime!) writing assignment. Each template focuses on a different word—family, thankful, gratitude. Students think of one thing starting with each letter of that word that they are grateful for and fill in the blank.
Get it: Thanksgiving Acrostic Templates
6. Gratitude Sphere
If you love rustic decor, this is the gratitude project for you and your students. Grab a grapevine sphere or wreath or a few branches from outside. Then give each student a circle cut from burlap and have them write one thing they are thankful for on it with a Sharpie. (If students would like to do more than one, feel free!) Then, attach all your students’ sentiments to the sphere, wreath, or branches with twine so that they are charmingly dangling.
Buy it: Grapevine Sphere or Wreath on Amazon
7. Gratitude Drawing Prompts
Take a few moments each day to have your students complete a different gratitude-based drawing prompt. Encourage them to get creative and draw something that is personally meaningful to them. Allow students who would like to share to do so, but if some students prefer to keep their drawings private, that’s OK too. Brainstorm a list of ideas such as: Draw someone who is important to you, draw an activity that makes you happy, draw your happy place, etc.
8. Thankfulness Chain
Such a fun and simple idea—we love that all you need to do this project is some construction paper and markers. We also love the nostalgia of making paper chains leading up to holidays. Cut construction paper in fall colors into strips and display them in a bin or basket along with a few Sharpie pens. Explain that, together, you are going to make a paper chain of things you are all grateful for. Write down three things you are personally grateful for and join the three strips together to start the chain. Throughout the week, encourage students to add a strip every time they think of something they are grateful for. Challenge them to see how long they can make the chain before Thanksgiving break.
9. M&M Gratitude Game
Every kid likes games that include snacks! Have students partner up and then give each pair a small bag of plain M&Ms. Display a key that includes a task for each color. For example, “red = share a place you are grateful for,” “green = share a person you are grateful for,” etc. Then have students take turns picking one M&M and sharing their answers with one another.
10. Gratitude Sunflowers
Have students grow a garden of positivity and thankfulness with beautiful gratitude sunflowers. For this activity, you will need yellow, brown, and green construction paper, scissors, glue, and markers. With the brown paper, have students cut a circle for the center of the sunflower. With the yellow paper, have students cut petals, and with the green paper, a stem and leaves. On each of the yellow petals, ask students to write one thing they are thankful for. Then assemble the flowers using glue. Display your class’s sunflower garden, ideally in the hallway to share their abundant feelings of gratitude with the school.
11. Gratitude Stones
This is one of the simplest gratitude activities for kids. Take a nature walk and have students gather stones. When you get back to the classroom, have students paint hearts or words like “thankful,” “gratitude,” “happiness,” or “love” on their rocks. Once they dry, encourage them to take their rocks home and distribute them around their neighborhood to spread random moments of gratitude!
12. Gratitude Leaf Garland
Use colorful leaf printouts (or create your own) to challenge students to write one thing they are grateful for on as many leaves as they can. Once students complete their leaves, string them together and display the colorful gratitude garland in your classroom to remind students of all the little and big things there are to be thankful for.
Get it: Free Leaf Templates
13. Gratitude Tree
You can also have each student create their own personal gratitude tree. Students write what they’re thankful for. Then have them color the leaves and cut them out before gluing the leaves to the branches on a sheet of paper with an outline of a tree.
Try it: Gratitude Tree Printables
14. Thank You in Any Language
Teach your students to say thank you in different languages. In sign language, that means bringing your hand, fingers together and palm facing in, to your chin and pulling your hand away in an arc. Kind of like blowing a kiss but coming from your chin instead of your lips. Other ways: Gracias in Spanish, Merci in French, Arigato in Japanese, Danke in German, etc. An easy Google search can provide many examples. Make it a game and give students points whenever they say thank you in another language. When they reach a certain number of points, celebrate with an activity!
15. Compliment Circle
This is such a great way to create a kind and inclusive classroom while also teaching students to be grateful for the things that make them and their classmates special. Have kids sit in a circle with their legs out straight, and then choose one student to begin by giving a classmate a compliment. Once a student has received a compliment, they pull their legs into crisscross applesauce so that others can see who is still left to compliment as you continue around the circle.
16. Thank-You Coloring Pages
It’s always a good time to show appreciation and gratitude for the helpers that make our lives better every day! Download these free coloring pages and share with your students.
Get it: Thank-You Coloring Pages
17. Gratitude Spinner
For this activity, you will need a sturdy paper plate and two circles cut from card stock that fit inside of the plate. Use a pencil to divide one circle into eight equal triangular sections. In each section, have students write one thing they are thankful for. Then, have students color the other circle in any manner they’d like. Help them cut one triangular segment from the decorated circle and write in the words “I am grateful.” Finally, place the circle with words in the center of the plate with the decorated circle on top, and join the three layers together with a brad. Once they’re finished, they can turn the spinner and reflect on all the things they are grateful for.
Gratitude Activities for Kids in Middle School
18. Gratitude Jar
Everybody appreciates “shout-outs.” Set up a jar in your classroom and set a stack of paper slips and pens next to it. Ask your students to add to the gratitude jar whenever someone in the class (or at school) does something that they are grateful for. Once a week, read the shout-outs aloud. This activity is wonderful for reinforcing a sense of community in your classroom. You can also let students do this as an individual activity using the free printable gratitude jar worksheets below.
Try it: Gratitude Jar Printable Activity
19. Gratitude Wall
Ask kids to take a moment and think of one simple thing they are thankful for at the beginning of class. Have them write it on a sticky not or index card and attach it to a bulletin board or designated space on the wall. Do this for one week and see if you can completely cover the board. Better yet, have your students from different periods compete for the biggest wall.
20. Gratitude Writing Prompts
Help kids make gratitude a habit with mindful journaling. Use the free printable writing paper below or have students use the prompts to answer in their own personal journals.
Get it: Thanksgiving Writing Paper Plus Gratitude Writing Prompts
21. Gratitude Mobiles
Gratitude activities for middle school should leave room for individuality. For this activity, provide each student with a stick (gathered from outside). Have them attach a string hanger at the top with six dangling strings hanging down. Set out a variety of craft materials—beads, wire, charms, corks, etc.—to adorn each string with. Also provide small paper tags for them to write one thing they are thankful for to attach to each string. Your students will love creating these personalized reminders of abundance in their life.
Buy it: Kraft Paper Tags on Amazon
22. Gratitude Cards
Pass out printable gratitude cards to students. There are full-color cards or a black-and-white version students can color. Tell students to find a person who fits the description on each card and present it to them. It’s a great way to encourage your students to express themselves.
Try it: Printable Gratitude Cards
23. Beach Ball Gratitude Activity
Label each colored section of a blow-up beach ball with a gratitude prompt such as “What is one thing that always brings a smile to your face?” or “Name the last nice thing someone did for you,” etc. Then circle the kids up and start up some music. Have the kids toss the ball around until the music stops. Whoever is holding the ball must answer the question that is under their left thumb. Once they answer, put on the music and continue until everyone has had a turn. If a person who has already answered gets the ball, have them choose someone who hasn’t yet answered.
24. Teacher Thank-Yous
Encourage your students to draft a letter of gratitude. This powerful exercise involves kids personally thanking an educator for being in their lives. Since gratitude activities for middle school can be a little more involved, you may want to set a minimum word count. Better yet, download our free Teacher Thank-You cards and spread the love to all the staff members around your building.
Get them: Free Printable Teacher Thank-You Cards and Free Printable Support Staff Thank-You Cards
25. Gratitude Paper Marbling
Give each student a 4-by-4-inch square of watercolor paper or white card stock. Fill a shallow rectangular foil tray about halfway up with water. Begin pouring drops of nail polish into the water, swirling gently with a chopstick or skewer. Don’t mix it too much! Then, take your paper square and place it face down in the solution. Carefully lift it out (you may want to use tongs) and place it on paper towels to dry. Each student’s creation will come out entirely different. Once each student’s square has dried, ask them to write something they are thankful for on their paper. Use a hole punch to create a hole at the top of each square. String the squares together and drape them from the ceiling of the classroom.
26. Gratitude Collage/Vision Board
Provide students with magazines and have them cut out images that remind them of things they are grateful for or things they wish for. Then, have them glue the images together to create their own personal gratitude collage or vision board.
27. Gratitude Charades
Pass out slips of paper with the sentence starter “I am thankful for …” written on them. Ask each student to write down one answer. Remind them to keep their answers clean and sincere. Then, divide up into teams and play a few rounds of charades with their responses.
Gratitude Activities for Kids in High School
28. Thankfulness Nature Walk
Take a nature walk with your students and focus on appreciating all of the beautiful and amazing things around us that we often take for granted. Have students walk mindfully and silently in single file as they observe their surroundings. Take it a step further and have them journal about their experience when you get back to the classroom.
29. Gratitude Conversation Starters
It’s not always easy to dive into personally meaningful conversations. That’s why conversation starters are such a great idea. On strips of paper, write down prompts such as “Where is the place you feel happiest?”, “Who is a person that you are especially grateful for?”, or “What is one learning experience that you are grateful for?” Have students pair up and let each one choose one or two questions they are comfortable sharing.
30. Gratitude Playlist
Set up good vibes in your classroom with songs that focus on gratitude. From Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson to Earth, Wind and Fire, there’s something every kid in your class will want to groove to.
Get the list: Uplifting Gratitude Songs That Inspire Us To Give Thanks
31. Gratitude Watercolor Spiral
This might just be the prettiest gratitude project on this list. All you need is watercolor paints, brushes, paper, and Sharpie pens. Have students draw a spiral with the Sharpie on a piece of watercolor paper. Then, along the line, have them write things they are thankful for. When they are finished writing, have them trace the spiral with watercolor paints. For a beautiful effect, have them use three or four different colors.
32. Donation Bin
Teaching kids the power of giving back can also help them appreciate the things they have. Regardless of whether you collect school supplies or take donations of winter hats and gloves, kids will learn how good it feels to give to those in need.
33. Family Letters
It’s easy to take the people closest to us for granted. Take a moment to have students reflect on the ways in which they are thankful for their families. They can choose one person or speak to their family as a whole. Then, ask students to write a letter expressing their gratitude. Suggest that they share their letters on Thanksgiving Day.
34. Flip Complaints
Flip the script with this meaningful activity. Regardless of your disposition, we all have negative thoughts from time to time. In this social-emotional learning exercise, students write out negative thoughts and then practice replacing them with more positive ones.
35. Gratitude Quotes
Being thankful is scientifically proven to improve the quality of our lives, so it’s something we should definitely encourage in our classrooms year-round. Share a few of these quotes of gratitude from children’s books and famous people. Ask them to choose one as their favorite and write a journal entry about.
Get them: Inspiring Gratitude Quotes
36. Gratitude Heroes
Ask students to think of a famous person, dead or alive, to whom they are grateful. Maybe they’ll choose Benjamin Franklin for discovering electricity. Maybe they think of the caveman who invented the wheel. Maybe they think of Michael Jordan for revolutionizing basketball. Have them write that person’s name on an index card along with three or four sentences explaining their choice.
