15 Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude as a Family

Gratitude activities for Thanksgiving or the fall season are a fun and fitting idea. But the benefits of gratitude have no seasonal limits, and we can help kids practice gratitude year-round. When we teach kids about gratitude, we do them a great service. Additionally, when we practice gratitude ourselves, we are happier and healthier parents. So whether you’re looking for a festive thankfulness activity or a new family gratitude tradition, I hope these 15 simple ways to practice gratitude as a family will help increase the gratitude and joy in your home.

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Gratitude Changes Perspectives and Lives

My child cried and complained about having to be at a piano lesson. Thankfully, the piano teacher is very understanding and is patient, or at least tries really hard to be patient.

The piano teacher is me.

As I wondered how to help this situation, I asked, “Can you think of any reasons to be grateful for piano lessons?” When the room remained silent, I offered a few.

We can be grateful that we have enough free-time to learn to play the piano. Having a home and healthy mind and body that allow us to play are certainly reasons to be thankful. And of course, we can be thankful for a kind, loving teacher who is patient even when a student says disrespectful things. 😉

My child laughed and joined in. Together we came up with a few more reasons to be grateful. And although that wasn’t the last discussion we’ve had about learning the instrument, that conversation and an overall shift toward gratitude has brought about a pretty dramatic switch in attitude.

Gratitude does that.

Gratitude allows us to see life through a clearer lens, unobstructed by the clouds of passing difficulties. It brings greater happiness to individuals and homes.

That’s what the research says too.

Science and Research about Gratitude

Study after study shows correlations between gratitude and happiness. Gratitude increases a personal sense of well-being and helps relationships feel more positive and secure. Research shows that gratitude positively affects other areas of health such as decreasing stress and enjoying more restful sleep.

Additional research indicates that gratitude creates changes in the brain that last beyond the present moment.

We can experience some of these benefits of gratitude and feel the emotional uplift of thankfulness as we watch this video of an experiment in gratitude.

I do not have any rights to this video.

We can bring all of these benefits of gratitude into our own lives and the lives of our family.

Although some research suggests it takes emotional maturity to experience the full benefits of gratitude, it’s never too early (or too late) to start teaching our kids about gratitude and how to be thankful.

If you’re wanting ideas for how to practice gratitude with children, here are 15 simple ways to practice gratitude as a family.

15 Ways to Practice Gratitude as a Family

These ideas for how to practice gratitude are simple and helpful for a wide range of ages.

1. Gratitude Alphabet

Think of something you’re grateful for that begins with each letter of the alphabet. Families can do this as a game during a road trip, taking turns with each letter or all thinking of a unique idea for every letter.

Families can write a list as individuals or together. Print the Gratitude Alphabet worksheet, and color the creative letters while brainstorming.

2. Paper Gratitude Chain

Cut strips of paper of various colors. If you are doing this as a seasonal activity, you could choose fall colors like red, yellow, and orange.

On each strip of paper, write something you’re grateful for. Brainstorm together as a family, or have each person complete their own strips.

Link the paper strips together to make a chain, securing each link with tape or staples. Display your paper chain as a reminder of gratitude!

3. Read Books about Gratitude or Different Life Circumstances

Reading books is a powerful way to teach kids about gratitude. The books could be explicitly about gratitude such as Grumpy Ninja by Mary Nhin or Being Thankful (Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter).

The books might not directly be about gratitude but could show kids what they can be grateful for by opening their eyes and hearts to different children’s experiences. Great books that teach gratitude in this way include Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller by Sarah Miller and Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel.

4. “But at Least…”

When things don’t go according to our expectations, it can be disappointing. After letting ourselves or kids feel the emotion, we can choose to move forward with gratitude. One way to do that is to say, “But at least…” and fill in the phrase with all there still is to be grateful for.

Oftentimes this brings great perspective, helping us see that although life can be hard, there is still a lot of good. Additionally, the most powerful gratitude is not just felt when we receive something. Rather, it is a way of being, a mindset that chooses to be grateful in every circumstance.

Related: A Simple Phrase to Help You and Your Kids Move from Grumpy to Grateful

5. Blessing Beans

Get a glass jar and dried beans. For every blessing you name, put a bean into the jar. Periodically pull the jar out, and encourage everyone to add some blessing beans. Or leave the jar on a counter or shelf in the house, and allow family members to add to the jar whenever they feel like counting their blessings.

Over time, watch the jar fill with blessing beans.

For visual interest, use a variety of types of beans. Or for added fun, dye the beans in vibrant colors.

6. Personal or Family Gratitude Journal

Buy personal journals or notebooks for each family member. Encourage everyone to write things they’re grateful for each night or every Sunday. Younger kids can draw pictures.

Alternately or additionally, another way to practice gratitude as a family is to keep a family gratitude journal. Take turns being the scribe as everyone contributes ideas. Share what you’re grateful for at the end of the day, the end of the week, or on special occasions. For example, on a family member’s birthday, everyone could write reasons they are grateful for that specific family member.

7. Bedtime Blessings

Incorporate gratitude practices with your kids into your nightly routine. This can be as simple as asking when you tuck your children into bed, “What are you grateful for tonight?” You can also share how you felt blessed that day or a reason you are grateful for the child.

8. Gratitude Tree

This classic ideas is always a family favorite during fall and makes a great Thanksgiving dinner activity about gratitude. First draw or cut a tree trunk from butcher paper. Then cut various leaves of different shapes, colors, and sizes. Draw the leaves or print and use the free leaf template.

Alternately, go out and collect autumn leaves. Appreciate the beauty of the season together. Then make leaf rubbings for added artistic fun. Cut the leaf rubbings out to make individual leaves.

Have family members write something they’re grateful for on each leaf. Glue or tape the leaves to the paper trunk, and you’ve got a family gratitude tree!

9. Gratitude Meditation

Meditation is a powerful way to calm the mind and focus attention. Use a gratitude meditation for kids to help your family relax and focus on being thankful.

10. Dinner Conversation about Gratitude

Family dinner is a wonderful time to talk about the day and share what each person is grateful for.

One fun way to incorporate this is to have each person share a rose (something you’re grateful for about the day), thorn (something hard about the day), and rosebud (something you’re looking forward to). My cousin introduced us to this, and our kids love sharing in this way.

If you’re looking for more ways to spark dinner conversation, check-out our Family Dinner Conversation Cards.

11. Write a Thank You Note

Help kids form the habit of writing thank you notes after birthdays, to teachers, and when they’re the recipients of service. Additionally, once in a while just write thank you notes for no particular reason.

Teach kids how to be specific in their thank you letter.

Make it a fun art project by creating pop-up cards or decorating letters with stamps or stickers.

12. Make the Call

Help kids become comfortable expressing gratitude verbally as well. One way to practice gratitude like that is to call to thank others for their service. Call grandparents to thank them for sending gifts. Include expressions of gratitude in your everyday phone conversations.

Remember that children are always listening, so exemplify gratitude in the way you talk to others.

13. Learn about the First Thanksgiving

Learn about the Mayflower, Wampanoag, and pilgrims. This full preschool lesson about Thanksgiving includes ideas to talk, sing, read, write, and play to learn about the origin of the American Thanksgiving holiday. There are fun ideas like making pilgrim butter and acting like the pilgrims.

Talk about what the pilgrims were thankful for and what we have to grateful for as well. Discuss why we celebrate Thanksgiving.

14. Pray

Regularly pray as a family. Express gratitude for the creations of the world, family members, other loved ones, experiences, and all else.

I recently read on a blog, “What if we lost everything we hadn’t thanked God for?”

That sure lengthens the list of all we could pray in gratitude! However, don’t read a list. Speak from the heart.

Take turns praying so that kids can hear your grateful heart, as well as have a turn to share theirs.

15. Remember the Simple “Thank You”

Create a respectful and thankful culture in your home where individuals are regularly thanked for their efforts.

Teach children to show gratitude to those who provide and prepare meals (even if the food is not their favorite). Thank kids for doing their chores. Say thank you to someone who holds a door open or does something kind.

Be a Grateful Parent

In each of these 15 ways to practice gratitude as a family and in our daily lives, we can teach our kids to be grateful by example. We can choose to find and share the good in the world, even as we recognize that there is also bad. I often quote, “You teach what you are.” As we become truly grateful parents in every circumstance, we’ll show our kids how to be grateful.

And this gratitude will bless their lives forever.

What are some of your favorite ways to practice gratitude as a family? How have you seen gratitude change perspectives or lives? Please share in the comments.

I’m sharing this post at some of these Link Parties I Love! Thank you hosts! I really am grateful for you! 😉

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