Are you looking for fun and creative ways to teach your preschoolers about gratitude this Thanksgiving? Look no further! In this blog post, I’ve got seven fantastic preschool gratitude activities for Thanksgiving that will not only entertain but also inspire a deep sense of appreciation in your preschoolers.
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to teach children about gratitude, and these activities will help them understand the importance of being thankful. From craft projects to fun thanksgiving activities, these activities are designed specifically for preschoolers to help foster a sense of gratitude.
Before we jump into my list of preschool gratitude activities for Thanksgiving, I wanted to make sure you’ve downloaded my free Kindness Bingo activity. So much fun for your preschoolers as they reinforce what kindness looks like. Click on the image to download it now!
The importance of teaching gratitude to preschoolers
Teaching gratitude to preschoolers is a fundamental aspect of their social -emotional development. Introducing the concept of gratitude helps them recognize and appreciate the positive aspects of their lives, which contributes to their overall well-being. Gratitude can lead to greater happiness, improved relationships, and a more positive outlook on life. By fostering a mindset of thankfulness early on, we can help set the foundation for lifelong appreciation.
7 Fun and Meaningful Preschool Gratitude Activities for Thanksgiving
Activity 1: Gratitude jar
Creating a gratitude jar is super simple and something your preschoolers can easily engage in. To start, gather a clear jar, colorful paper, and markers or crayons. Explain to the children that the jar will be a special place to store notes about things they are thankful for.
Encourage each child to think about something they appreciate, whether it’s a person, a toy, or a fun experience. They can draw a picture to express their gratitude, or you can help write it on a piece of paper for them to put in the jar.
This process not only helps them articulate their feelings but also allows them to visualize the abundance of good things in their lives. As the jar fills up, it becomes a source of joy and reflection.
You can schedule regular times, perhaps weekly, to gather around the gratitude jar and share the pictures or notes. This sharing fosters a sense of community and reinforces the idea that gratitude is something to be celebrated together.
Activity 2: Thanksgiving-themed storytelling and reading activities
Incorporate picture books that focus on gratitude and thankfulness. Here are some of my favourites:
The Thankful Book by Todd Parr
I am Thankful by Sheri Wall
After reading, encourage children to discuss the stories, ask questions, and share their thoughts. This interactive approach promotes comprehension and critical thinking while immersing them in the spirit of the holiday.
Activity 3: Build a sense of Connection and Community using Thanksgiving Would You Rather Questions
Would You Rather Questions are a great way to get your students thinking, talking and connecting! They allow students to think critically about their preferences, communicate them to the class, and then reevaluate after they have heard other responses. Would You Rather Questions are a great resource to encourage students to practice sharing in front of the class in a fun, easy way.
Some kids love to share while others don’t want to talk in front of the class, but Thanksgiving Would You Rather Questions are a great way to encourage students to open up. There is no right or wrong answer, and the answer choice is narrowed down to 2 options. Students will simply pick the choice they prefer and share it with the class. Don’t forget to encourage your young learners to extend their answers by telling you why they chose that option.
Activity 4: Thankful tree
The thankful tree is another engaging activity that allows preschoolers to express their gratitude creatively. To create a thankful tree, you will need a large piece of paper or cardboard for the trunk and branches, along with colorful paper leaves. Start by drawing or constructing a simple tree shape. Explain that each leaf will represent something they are thankful for.
Provide your students with paper leaves in various colors and encourage them to decorate each leaf with drawings or words that express their gratitude. As they create their leaves, engage them in conversations about what gratitude means and why it’s important to appreciate the people and things in their lives. This discussion reinforces their understanding of the concept while allowing them to express their thoughts and feelings.
Once the leaves are complete, attach them to the tree. This visual representation of gratitude can be displayed in the classroom serving as a constant reminder of the things that bring joy and happiness.
Activity 5: Lead a whole group discussion around Being Thankful
Encourage your students to look at different parts of their lives and consider what they are thankful for and how they can show appreciation.
Questions to guide discussions:
- Invite the children to consider all the different areas of their lives. Who helps us? Who makes our lives better?
- Consider people in our home, our school, our community, who do so much for us.
How do they contribute to our lives? How could we show gratitude for all they do?
- How about the things in our lives that make it so much better/ easier? What can we be thankful for there?
- What do you love about Thanksgiving?
It would be wonderful to record these answers and share them with families.
Activity 6: Being Thankful Crafts for Preschoolers and Kindergartener
Creating craft is another fun way to encourage children to use their imaginations, think about Thanksgiving, and what they are thankful for. I love these Thanksgiving theme preschool activities and since I’m not super crafty, I turn to other brilliant teachers to guide me. Here are some great ideas:
These popsicle stick turkeys by Life Beyond Laundry are so fun to make and don’t require a ton of materials. Add a strong for some cute little decorations to hang around the classroom. They would make a great Thanksgiving activity in kindergarten or preschool.
The Lolly Jane blog has some really great ideas for turkey treats that also are crafts! Your little learners will love using their fingers and imaginations to create turkey treats that they get to eat afterward!
This sweet thankful turkey craft is the perfect thing for creating being thankful crafts for preschoolers. Students will write what they are thankful for on the feathers and then glue them around a cute little turkey head. This will be great for a classroom display.
Get your students drawing all the things they are thankful for with this Thanksgiving flipbook. I love sending it home to build a strong family connection with the activities we are doing in the classroom.
Activity 7: Gratitude scavenger hunt
A gratitude scavenger hunt is an exciting and interactive way to engage preschoolers in recognizing the things they are thankful for in their environment.
To set up the scavenger hunt, create a list of items or experiences that children can find or observe around their home or school. These can include things like “something that makes you happy,” “a friend,” or “a favorite toy.”
This activity encourages children to explore their surroundings while reflecting on the aspects of life they appreciate.
As the children embark on the scavenger hunt, encourage them to take their time and think critically about what each item means to them. For example, if they find a picture of a family member, prompt them to think about why they are grateful for that person. This not only enhances their observational skills but also deepens their understanding of gratitude as they connect the items to their feelings.
After the scavenger hunt, gather the children to share their findings. This sharing session allows them to express their gratitude verbally and reinforces the connections they made during the activity. You can encourage them to explain why they chose certain items and what those items represent in terms of appreciation.
Tips for incorporating Gratitude Activities for Thanksgiving
The most important thing to remember when implementing gratitude activities in preschool is that we want to make gratitude the norm in our classroom. It shouldn’t be regulated to one season. It should be part of who we are as a classroom community.
For instance, start each day with a gratitude circle where children can share something they are thankful for, setting a positive tone for the day. Consistency helps reinforce the concept and encourages children to think about gratitude regularly.
Don’t forget to involve families in gratitude activities to extend the learning beyond the classroom. Encourage parents to participate by sending home simple gratitude challenges or projects that families can do together.
For instance, families could create their own gratitude jars or share their thankful trees at home. This collaborative approach fosters a community of appreciation and strengthens the message of gratitude within the family unit, making it a shared value.
Conclusion: Cultivating a spirit of gratitude in preschoolers
Cultivating a spirit of gratitude in our preschoolers is a rewarding endeavor that can have a profound impact on their social-emotional development.
By incorporating gratitude activities into the preschool curriculum, we help children develop a positive mindset that will serve them throughout their lives. The benefits of these activities extend beyond the classroom, nurturing the core values of kindness, compassion, and appreciation in the home and community.
This Thanksgiving, let us embrace the opportunity to teach our preschoolers the true meaning of gratitude by making it part of our classroom culture.
Update: November 2024
