Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite reminders to slow down, appreciate what we have and look for ways to give back to others. I truly believe that so much of our happiness comes from our perspective and learning to appreciate the little things in life. And while I love all the decorating, holiday activities and traditions that come with this time of year, I also want my kids to understand that the holidays are about so much more than what we receive. Some of the most meaningful memories we can make together come from doing something kind for someone else!
As a mom of three, one thing I’ve learned is that teaching gratitude isn’t just about reminding our children to say thank you. It’s about giving them opportunities to experience the joy of helping others, recognizing the good in their own lives and understanding that even small acts of kindness can make a difference. Over the years, I’ve discovered so many wonderful ways families can give back, both here in Memphis and right in their own homes. From volunteering and holiday giving programs to simple acts of kindness, I’m sharing 10 meaningful ways to teach kids gratitude this Thanksgiving and hopefully inspire a few new family traditions along the way!
Why Is Teaching Kids Gratitude Important?
I think one of the most valuable things we can teach our children is to appreciate what they already have. It’s easy for all of us to get caught up in wanting the next thing, especially during the holidays when there are gift guides, toy catalogs and Christmas wish lists everywhere. But helping kids recognize the good things in their lives encourages them to look beyond what they want and appreciate what they already have. It also helps them understand that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a difference.
And teaching gratitude doesn’t have to involve anything elaborate or expensive! Some of the most meaningful lessons happen during ordinary moments at home, around the dinner table or while spending time together as a family. I especially love finding opportunities for my kids to participate instead of simply listening to me talk about being thankful. Whether your children are preschoolers, elementary-aged kids or tweens, there are so many ways to make gratitude something they can practice and understand.
1. Start a Family Gratitude Jar
One of the easiest ways to encourage gratitude is to start a family gratitude jar! All you need is a jar, a few small pieces of paper and something to write with. Each day leading up to Thanksgiving, have everyone write down something they’re thankful for and add it to the jar. Younger children can draw pictures while older kids can write a sentence or two about something meaningful to them.
On Thanksgiving Day, gather around the table and read everyone’s notes together. I love this idea because it encourages kids to think about the good things happening in their lives, even on days that don’t necessarily go as planned. You might be surprised by some of the things they come up with! It’s also a tradition you can continue year after year and look back on as your children grow.
2. Volunteer Together as a Family
Volunteering is such a meaningful way to help children understand the importance of giving back, and there are so many wonderful organizations that could use an extra set of hands. Here in Memphis, Memphis Union Mission is one organization that provides opportunities to support people in our community. We’ve had the opportunity to serve meals there, and it’s a wonderful reminder of how much of a difference giving your time can make. If you’re interested in volunteering during the holidays, I recommend reaching out early since opportunities can fill up quickly.
There are also plenty of ways to get involved if your children aren’t quite old enough to volunteer on-site. You can help collect donations, organize supplies or participate in a community service project through your church or school. I think the most important thing is helping kids understand why they’re giving their time and who they’re helping. Those conversations can be just as meaningful as the volunteer activity itself!
3. Shop for Children Through Holiday Giving Programs
One of the sweetest ways to teach children about generosity is to let them shop for another child during the holidays. Programs like the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree and Operation Christmas Child are wonderful opportunities to get the entire family involved. Our school has participated in Angel Tree, and we’ve also enjoyed participating in Operation Christmas Child through our church. Both programs give children an opportunity to think about someone else’s Christmas wish list instead of focusing only on their own.
I especially love letting kids choose gifts for children close to their own ages. Leighton and Grayson have helped shop for children through these programs, and it’s such a meaningful way to encourage them to think about what another child might enjoy or need. Let your kids help select the gifts, stay within a budget and pack everything together. It’s a simple way to turn Christmas shopping into an opportunity to practice kindness and generosity.
4. Deliver Homemade Treats or Flowers to Someone Special
Sometimes the simplest gestures mean the most! Spend an afternoon baking cookies, making a favorite holiday treat or putting together a small flower arrangement for someone who could use a little extra kindness. It could be a neighbor, teacher, grandparent or someone living in a local senior community. Last Thanksgiving, I delivered a flower arrangement to Beehive Homes in Collierville, and it reminded me how something so simple can be a thoughtful way to brighten someone’s day.
Let your children help choose what to make, decorate the packaging and deliver the surprise. You could even include a handmade card or a sweet handwritten note to make it a little more personal. If you’re planning to visit a senior living community, be sure to contact them ahead of time to see what they allow and what would be most appreciated. I love that this combines something fun with an opportunity to think about other people without requiring a lot of money or planning.
5. Donate Toys, Clothes and Winter Essentials
With Christmas right around the corner, November is a great time to go through closets, toys and other items your children have outgrown. Instead of doing all the sorting yourself, encourage your kids to help choose gently used toys, books and clothing that another family might enjoy. You can also collect winter coats, blankets and other cold-weather essentials for local organizations helping families in need. It’s a wonderful opportunity to teach generosity while making sure items that are no longer being used can benefit someone else.
I think it’s especially important to let children participate in this process rather than simply telling them what they need to give away. When kids have a say in what they’re donating, it helps them understand the purpose behind it. You can even let them help pack everything and drop it off at a local donation center. Be sure to check with the organization first to see which items they’re currently accepting.
6. Write Handwritten Thank-You Notes
In a world where so much communication happens through texts and emails, I still love a handwritten thank-you note! Set aside a little time for your kids to write cards to people who have made a difference in their lives. Think teachers, coaches, grandparents, neighbors, friends or anyone who has gone out of their way to help them. It doesn’t have to be a special occasion to let someone know they’re appreciated!
For younger children, a drawing or a few simple words can be just as meaningful as a longer note. Older kids can write about something specific that person has done for them and why it mattered. I love encouraging children to think beyond a general thank you and recognize the ways people show up for them throughout the year. And there’s something so special about receiving an unexpected note from a child!
7. Contribute to a Local Food Drive
Donating food is another easy way to get the entire family involved in giving back. Many schools, churches and community organizations host food drives throughout November and December, making it convenient to participate. Here in the Memphis area, Mid-South Food Bank is one organization that helps provide food assistance to families throughout our community. You can check with local organizations to find out which nonperishable foods and other supplies are most needed.
I love the idea of letting each child choose a few items to contribute while you’re grocery shopping. You can talk about why food drives are important and how something as simple as a few pantry staples can help another family. It’s also a great opportunity to teach kids that giving doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Small contributions from lots of families can make a meaningful difference!
8. Create a Thanksgiving Gratitude Tablecloth
I love holiday traditions that you can bring out year after year, and this one is such a sweet idea! Start with a plain tablecloth or a large paper table runner and have everyone write or draw something they’re thankful for. You can use fabric markers for a reusable tablecloth or regular markers for a paper version. Add the year beside each person’s contribution so you can look back and remember what mattered most to everyone at different ages.
This would be such a fun activity to do before Thanksgiving dinner while everyone is gathered together. It’s also a great way to include grandparents, cousins and other family members in the tradition. Imagine pulling out the same tablecloth years later and seeing the little drawings and handwritten notes your children made when they were younger! Those are the kinds of memories I love creating during the holidays.
9. Practice Random Acts of Kindness
One of my favorite things about teaching gratitude is that it doesn’t have to be limited to a single day or activity. Challenge your family to complete a small act of kindness each day leading up to Thanksgiving! It could be paying for someone’s coffee, baking treats for a neighbor, leaving an encouraging note for a friend or helping someone without being asked. The goal isn’t to do something big every day. It’s simply to get into the habit of looking for ways to make someone’s day a little better.
You could even create a family kindness calendar and let your kids take turns choosing an activity. I love that this works for children of all ages because kindness can look different depending on what they’re able to do. It’s also a great reminder that we don’t have to wait for the holidays to show someone we care. Hopefully, some of these little habits will continue long after Thanksgiving is over!
10. Start a Family Gratitude Tradition Around the Dinner Table
Sometimes the best family traditions are the ones that don’t require any planning at all! One of the easiest ways to practice gratitude is to make it part of your everyday conversations. During dinner, ask everyone to share one thing they’re thankful for or one good thing that happened during their day. It might be something as simple as spending time with a friend, doing well on a test or enjoying a favorite meal together.
I love this idea because it encourages everyone to look for the positive moments in their day, even when life gets busy. And it doesn’t have to stop after Thanksgiving! You can continue the tradition throughout the Christmas season and even into the new year. I think it’s important for our children to see us practicing gratitude, too, because they’re always learning from the example we set.
How to Make Gratitude a Family Tradition Beyond Thanksgiving
While Thanksgiving is the perfect time to focus on being thankful, I don’t want gratitude to be something my kids only think about once a year. I want it to become a natural part of how we treat people, how we talk about our lives and how we approach everyday situations. And I think one of the best ways to make that happen is to keep things simple. You don’t need to plan 10 activities every November or create an elaborate tradition that becomes another thing on your holiday to-do list.
Choose one or two ideas that fit your family and start there! Maybe it’s volunteering together each year, participating in Angel Tree before Christmas or simply sharing something you’re thankful for at dinner. The important thing is finding opportunities to practice gratitude together and making those moments meaningful. Over time, those small traditions can become some of the things your children remember most about the holidays.
Final Thoughts on Teaching Kids Gratitude During the Holidays
The holiday season can get so busy, and I know how easy it is to get caught up in all the shopping, decorating, parties and activities. I love all of those things, but I also want my children to understand that some of the best parts of the holidays have nothing to do with presents. They’re the moments we spend together, the kindness we show others and the little things we sometimes forget to appreciate. And I think teaching our kids to recognize those things is one of the most meaningful gifts we can give them.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that gratitude really does change your perspective. It doesn’t mean every day is perfect or that we have to be happy about everything. It simply means learning to recognize the good in our lives while remembering that we all have opportunities to make someone else’s day a little better. Whether it’s a family volunteer project, a thoughtful donation or a simple act of kindness, I hope these ideas inspire you to find meaningful ways to give back together this Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season!
