31 Meaningful Gratitude Activities for Kids [Latest 2022]

It can be too easy at times to focus on the things that go wrong rather than the things that go right for us. And that can be especially difficult for still-developing brains. Practicing an attitude of gratitude is a skill that students can be taught. Focusing on the things we are grateful for in our lives can help enhance our mood. There is no better time than now to work on gratitude with your students as we head into the Thanksgiving season. Whether you are in the mood for a game, an activity, or a craft project, there is something for everyone on our list of meaningful gratitude activities for kids of all ages.

Gratitude Activities for Kids in Lower Grades

1. Gratitude Scavenger Hunt

Print out this fun, gratitude-focused scavenger hunt, then let your students loose to find things that speak to them!

Learn more: All Natural Adventures

2. Thankful Turkey Craft

Encourage students to share what they’re thankful for with this adorable turkey craft made from construction paper.

Learn more: Happiness Is Homemade

3. Pumpkin Pie Spinner

This gratitude craft looks so good you could practically eat it!

Learn more: The Catholic Toolbox

4. Pickup Sticks: Gratitude Edition

A simple yet fun variation on the classic game pickup sticks, students will select a stick and then find the corresponding gratitude prompt.

Learn more: Teach Beside Me

5. A Turkey Puppet Show About Gratitude

Have your students create these adorable turkey puppets and then let them put on a puppet show expressing their gratitude for various things in their lives.

Learn more: Dream a Little Bigger

6. Gratitude Alphabet

This one will prove challenging since students will be tasked to come up with some unconventional words to express their gratitude.

Learn more: The Keele Deal

7. Gratitude Hopscotch

Photo Source: https://www.cslchico.org/kosmic-kids-iam-hopscotch/

A way to practice gratitude while also getting in some physical fitness—yes, please!

Learn more: Counseling Essentials

8. Thankful Turkey Coloring Page

This fun color-by-number gratitude activity for kids keeps little hands busy and little hearts grateful.

Learn more: Mama Miss

9. Gratitude Garland

The longer the garland, the more abundant the gratitude!

Learn more: Teaching Expertise

10. Gratitude Reading

Choose some gratitude-focused books to add to your classroom library, then let students choose which they want to read.

Buy it: The Thankful Book

11. Gratitude Sphere

If you love rustic decor, this is the gratitude project for you and your students. Grab a twine ball, some burlap, and some string to get started.

Learn more: Hello, Wonderful

12. Gratitude Drawing Prompts

Have your students complete a different gratitude-based drawing prompt each day.

Learn more: Let’s Lasso the Moon

13. Thankful Turkey Wreath

This colorful Thanksgiving wreath is the perfect craft for reminding kids about the importance of being grateful for everything we have.

Learn more: Fun Learning for Kids

14. Thankfulness Chain

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.

Learn more: Hustle and Homeschool

15. Thanksgiving Gratitude Game

Ask students to list all of the things they are thankful for with this free, cute, and simple printable.

Learn more: Happy Go Lucky Blog

16. Gratitude Tree

This lovely gratitude tree is easy to make and gives everyone an opportunity to think about being thankful every day.

Learn more: Made With Happy

17. Gratitude Flowers

Have students grow a garden of positivity and thankfulness with these beautiful gratitude flowers.

Learn more: Blissful Kids

18. Gratitude Stones

This is one of the simplest gratitude activities for kids. Ask them to gather some stones and then paint hearts or thankful words on them. They can then take them home and distribute them around the neighborhood!

Learn more: Fireflies and Mud Pies

19. Thank an Essential Worker

We should be grateful for our essential workers now more than ever. These adorable coloring pages are free to download and print.

Gratitude Activities for Kids in Upper Grades

20. Gratitude Wall

Ask kids to think of one simple thing they are thankful for each night. Then, have them write it on a piece of paper or index card to hang on the wall. You can even have them build a wall at home too!

Learn more: Blog Ulliance

21. Gratitude Journal

Help kids make gratitude a habit with mindful journaling at the end of every day. They can use these free printables and write about any of the prompts included!

22. Gratitude Mobiles

These mobiles are so pretty and unique. Students will enjoy personalizing them with their favorite charms while also including notes of gratitude.

Learn more: Meri Cherry

23. Roll the Dice Gratitude Game

This is a fun way for students to express gratitude, and all you’ll need is a printable and some dice!

Learn more: Playful Notes

24. Gratitude Letter/Email

Encourage your students to draft a letter or email of gratitude. This powerful exercise involves kids personally thanking someone for being in their lives. A handwritten letter might feel more meaningful, but a heartfelt email comes close! You may want to set a minimum word count to encourage them to think and dig deeper.

25. Clothespin Gratitude Wreath

We love this fun, collaborative craft since supplies are minimal but the effect is big!

Learn more: Chica and Jo

26. A Jar Full of Thanks

This will work for any age group. Have students use a variety of materials to personalize their jars, then have them write something they are grateful for each day and put it inside their jar.

Learn more: Castle View Academy

27. Gratitude Collage/Vision Board

Students can look through magazines or take their own pictures to create a collage or vision board of things that make them feel thankful.

Learn more: Make a Gratitude Collage

28. Thankful Nature Walk

Encourage students to take a nature walk to appreciate all of the beautiful and amazing things around us that we often take for granted. Take it a step further and have them journal about their experience.

29. Gratitude Pumpkin

These adorable pumpkins will be a breeze for older kids to construct. Plus they will look cute on their desks!

Learn more: The Moffatt Girls

30. Gratitude Conversation Starters

This is the perfect activity for children of all ages since you can cater the conversation starters to the age of the students. This would make for a great activity for students to do with their families around the dinner table as well!

Learn more: Creative Family Fun