10 Simple Activities to Develop Gratitude in Your Children

As parents, it can be frustrating when our kids show attitudes of ungratefulness and entitlement. We want them to express appreciation for the things they have and not complain about what they don’t have. It can be upsetting and even embarrassing when our kids are ungrateful. We want our kids to be thankful for what they have but what can we do?

When we put our focus on the blessings in our life and all we our thankful for, we are choosing not to think about all that upsets us and everything that’s unfair. But when we step back and practice gratitude we are choosing to focus our energy on the amazing blessings in our life instead. Our children can learn this too and just need a little bit of practice.

It doesn’t take a lot of time and effort but there are simple and quick activities that you can guide your children to do that will help them develop gratitude for the things that they already have. In turn this will bring more joy into their lives!

There are many ways for both kids and adults to practice gratitude but I want to share ten ideas that are simple, yet effective (and are honestly some of my favorites).

1. Write and send a thank you note
2. Draw a picture and give to someone as a way of saying “thank you”
3. Write in your gratitude journal
4. Before dinner, each family member takes a turn sharing what they are thankful for from the day
5. Before bed, each child says three things they are thankful for
6. Read books about gratitude or a character that is thankful
7. As a family, talk about all you have to be grateful for and write them down in your Family Gratitude Journal
8. Pick a flower and give it to someone as a way of saying thank you
9. Write a list from A to Z of everything you are thankful for
10. Create a photo book of the things you most appreciate

For more ideas, be sure to check out this post of 100 ways kids can practice gratitude and compassion.

When we practice gratitude, we are forced to put our focus and energy on the things we are thankful for. And as we begin to think about all the blessings in our lives, the focus switches from thinking about what we don’t have to what we do have. That’s what our kids will be doing as they realize all the wonderful things they have and are thankful for!

For more activities that are never a waste of time, be sure to head over to iHomeschool Network: