While food is definitely one of the most enjoyable parts of Thanksgiving, it’s not the only thing that makes this holiday so special! Help your family express their gratitude using these festive crafts and activities. It’s a wonderful opportunity to remember what you are thankful for, and the perfect time to teach your little ones the true meaning of Thanksgiving.
1) Gratitude Chain
This first activity helps you visualize just how many things you are grateful for! Using several strips of paper, write down what you are grateful for and create a chain by stapling the strips together. You can even turn it into a friendly competition to see who can make their chain the longest! Get the full instructions and a free printable at the link above.
2) Gratitude Dice
Turn gratitude into a game with this cute dice activity! Simply print the template provided at the link above, fold it into a cube, and tape it to create your dice. Take turns rolling the dice and answering the prompts that you roll. This game can even extend past Thanksgiving for when you need a little more thankfulness in your life!
3) Gratitude Game
In this gratitude game, you get to eat M&Ms and talk about what you’re thankful for, making it doubly sweet! To play, take turns pulling M&Ms from a bag and answering the prompts based on the color you drew. Click on the link above to get the free printable!
4) Gratitude Jar
There are a few different ways you can use a gratitude jar:
– Fill it with gratitude prompts to pull out and answer.
– Write on blank pieces of paper what you are grateful for and fill up the jar.
– Fill it with both prompts and blank pieces of paper, then draw one out and either answer the prompt or write what you’re grateful for.
Whichever way you choose, it’s a great way to start a conversation about gratitude with your family! This is also a fun activity to extend throughout the year.
5) Gratitude Tree
We love the idea of a gratitude tree! It’s a wonderful visualization of your gratitude and makes a beautiful centerpiece for your Thanksgiving dinner. To create a gratitude tree, put a branch in a vase, create paper leaves, write what you are thankful for on the leaves, then glue them to the branch. You can create this with your family beforehand, or have them fill it out throughout the night.
6) Gratitude Garland
Another pretty decoration for Thanksgiving that also expresses your gratitude! Simply fill out each banner on the garland with what you are grateful for, then hang it in your home. Click on the link above to get the free printable and the instructions for the garland.
7) Gratitude Booklet
This activity book is so fun for kids, and it teaches them all about gratitude! Plus, it’s a great way to keep them busy while you’re cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Go to the link above to get the free printable!
8) Gratitude Stones
A gratitude stone is simply a stone that acts as a reminder to express thanks. According to Fireflies and Mudpies, there are several different ways to use gratitude stones that extend even beyond Thanksgiving!
– Pass a stone around during dinner. Whoever is holding it gets to say what they are grateful for.
– Calm down strong feelings by giving a stone to your child when they are upset and having them list what they are grateful for.
– Make it a part of your bedtime ritual.
– Give a stone to someone else with a little note explaining why you are grateful for them.
– Place them around your neighborhood for others to find.
You can get the tutorial on creating these cute heart stones at the link above!
9) Mason Jar Turkey
Not only is this mason jar turkey a cute craft, it’s also a thoughtful gift! Fill the mason jar with a treat and write the reasons why you are thankful for the recipient on the paper feathers. Get the full instructions at the link above!
10) Gratitude Wreath
This final craft makes a great tradition! Print out the printables at the link above, write what you are thankful for on the leaves, then create a wreath using the instructions provided. Swordfights and Starry Nights also suggests writing the date on the back, so you can always remember what you were thankful for that year!
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