Practicing gratitude is a wonderful way to bring preschoolers together, whether in a classroom or at home with family. This page offers meaningful activities that encourage young children to express thanks and appreciate the people and things around them. Through these fun and simple ideas, you’ll help build a foundation of thankfulness in your little ones that can last all year long!
Each year before our Thanksgiving meal we read a story from Family Life Today called Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember by Barbara Rainey. It is a story of the Pilgrims' faithfulness and biblical thankfulness. 
Following the book reading, each person is given six pieces of corn. Circling around the table each person says one item that he or she is thankful for and then places one of the kernels of corn in a mug that we pass around. This process continues until all six pieces of corn are gone.
Each person shares six items of thanksgiving but this number may be lowered depending on the age and number of participants.
For the month of October or November, write on a real or craft pumpkin. Each day add one or more items that you are thankful for.
Put everyone's name in a bowl and place it on the table. Instruct each person to draw a name from the bowl and say one reason that he/she is thankful for that person.
Nurture a thankful heart in your children or students ages 3-12 with our 50-page Thanksgiving Activity Workbook! This updated workbook includes engaging activities tailored for both preschool and elementary-aged children, along with easy-to-follow scripts that ensure fun and meaningful experiences. Celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving while creating lasting memories together!
Grab a couple of cans of crescent rolls. If you have the time and enjoy baking, make up a batch of butter horn rolls. (For best results use a higher-fat-content roll so the thankful stripes don't stick.) Cut stripes of paper that are approximately 1/2" x 3". With a pencil write or draw a picture of something that you are thankful for.
Roll the crescent rolls into triangle shapes. Place one thankful strip into each roll. Loosely wrap the roll into crescent shape. (Tightly rolling will make the paper stick. Some sources suggested smearing butter on the strips.) Bake according to directions. Allow to cool before breaking open. More tips...
Print enough Number 4 Posters to give one to each person attending your Thanksgiving dinner. Write "I'm Thankful" on each number four. Write down what each person is thankful for. Have the child decorate and cut out the four.
Using the same tablecloth each year and permanent fabric markers, invite your family to write or draw something they are thankful for that year. Be sure to date the writing for future reference.
On the dining room table place a basket of magnetic refrigerator letters for the kiddos to pick a letter at mealtime and tell you one thing they are thankful for that begins with that letter. Write the ideas down to create an alphabetized list.
On a wall, door, or a bulletin board create a tree. Cut leaves to add to the tree. Each evening encourages each person to write one thing that they are thankful for and add it to the tree.
This printables is included in the Thanksgiving Activity Workbook.
Prepare a " Baskets of Thanks" containing goodies for people whom you are thankful. Include a note of thanks. Specific ideas and details are provided in the Thanksgiving Activity Workbook.
Add to a paper chain each evening by encouraging those in your family to write one thing that they are thankful for on each chain. See how long of chain you can create! For younger children, premake the chain and have the child tear off a link each day. May also write on a leaf and chain to create leaf garland.
Introduce your preschoolers to the God's love with our fun and engaging New Testament Curriculum. Filled with interactive Bible stories, play-based activities, and learning crafts, this Curriculum brings the teachings of Jesus to life in a way young children will understand and enjoy.
On the wall, door, or a bulletin board create the body of a turkey. Cut feathers to add to the body. Each evening, invite everyone to write down one thing they’re thankful for and add it to the turkey.
Not necessarily an activity of gratitude, but a fun one for Thanksgiving Day. Print the Lacing Football printable on cardstock. Color and cut out the football. Punch holes for the child to lace.
Print the Attitude of Gratitude poster (one for each child or person in the family). Hold a family meeting and discuss with the children what it means to have an attitude of gratitude. Give each child an "Attitude of Gratitude" poster and have the child write his name on the dotted line on the poster.
Explain that every time he expresses something that shows a grateful heart, he will be allowed to place a sticker on the chart. At the end of the month, reward each child with something special to show how important it is to you that he is learning to have a grateful heart.
Create a collage of items in which you are thankful. Draw or cut out pictures of the items and add the title "I am thankful for."
Create leaf garland by writing on paper leaves and stringing them together.
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