This was one of my all-time favorite posts — a fun ACTIVE way in introduce kids to the concept of gratitude. It’s perfect for this time of year, and we enjoyed this activity so much last year that we are doing it again this year. Enjoy!!
Around Thanksgiving we try to do crafts and activities that promote gratitude and focus on the things we have to be thankful for. Last year we did gratitude journals, but this year we’re trying something a little more active — Gratitude Activity Jars!
I asked Emily to name some of the things she was thankful for, and together we came up with a coordinating activity to go along with it. At first, we were just going to type these up and print them out, but I like to think that by physically writing these things down it sends more positive energy out into the universe. Mark would probably say that’s just a bunch of new-age crap, but that’s how I like to picture it, anyway!
Decorate your cards with stickers!!
Some of the cards we wrote:I am thankful for…..
:: Dad — Do something nice for Daddy.
:: Friends — Make 1 new friend today.
:: Hugs — Hug 3 people today.
:: Books — Visit the library today.
:: Home — Clean the guest bedroom, and invite a guest over to stay.
:: Play Time — Invite a friend over to play.
:: Good Health — Make a “Jared Box” to donate to the hospital.
:: Toys — Donate a toy to Goodwill.
:: Clara — Spend some time playing with your sister today.
:: Good Food — Donate canned goods to the food pantry.
:: Pies — Bake a pie for a neighbor.
:: Flowers — Surprise someone with a special flower delivery.
:: Nature — Play a fun game outside today.
…. and so on. The idea is to pick one card from the jar every day between now and Thanksgiving and do the activity on the card. Emily is looking forward to this with great anticipation!
Fill your jar with the cards….
…tie with a pretty bow….
…. and remember to take time to appreciate all the wonderful things in your life!
November 6th, 2010 on 9:33 pm
oo love this idea!! I also love all of the things she is grateful for too
November 11th, 2010 on 8:58 am
Thanks, Lindsay!
November 6th, 2010 on 9:37 pm
I love the ideas and the jar is so pretty! We’ll be making these soon! Thanks!
November 11th, 2010 on 8:58 am
Yay!! Have fun!! xoxo
November 6th, 2010 on 11:32 pm
This is a great idea for the kids! I try to ask the kids each night what their favorite part of the day was, and I guide them towards gratitude in my response: ‘Oh that was so nice of your aunt to do that for you. Maybe we could color her a picture to say thank you.’ I just started my first blog, which is going to be based on a gratitude journal. Check it out, if you’re interested:
http://justlikeflipflops.blogspot.com/
November 11th, 2010 on 8:59 am
Fantastic!! I love that your blog is like an online gratitude journal — I”m off to check it out!!
November 7th, 2010 on 12:32 am
Getting of the computer now, so I can start getting the cards and jar ready for a perfect sunday morning activity! Thank you!
November 11th, 2010 on 9:00 am
That makes me SO happy, Jillian!! Enjoy! xoxo
November 16th, 2010 on 9:14 am
I prepared the jar that night (at 10pm I might add). The next morning we wrote out the strips and the kids remind me to pull from it everyday. It is such a wonderful thing. My son (5) said he was thankful for the world. So we grabbed a trash bag and the wagon and walked around picking up litter. Since then they have shown me several places they would like to stop and pick up trash. I am thankful for you,this blog, and especially this activity!
November 7th, 2010 on 1:13 am
What a simple great idea. Thanks!
November 11th, 2010 on 9:01 am
You’re welcome! Have fun!!
November 7th, 2010 on 8:57 am
I love this. I have seen the activity where people write down what they are grateful for and put them in a jar and read them on Thanksgiving, but I like this idea better. It gives a more active, purposeful way of participating.
November 11th, 2010 on 9:02 am
Both years that we’ve done this, it has really encouraged us to be active in appreciating what we’re grateful for. And it’s a lot of fun!!!
November 7th, 2010 on 11:51 am
That’s a wonderful idea. I can’t wait to see the results of this ’cause I know Emily enjoys it so much. She’s one active little person. Very pretty jar. It would be a cute idea to give a gratitude jar to someone that is filled with cards on why the gift giver is thankful for them.
November 11th, 2010 on 9:03 am
Oh, I LOVE that idea!!! You can never have enough gratitude!
November 7th, 2010 on 4:20 pm
We are so doing this! Maybe even starting the idea this afternoon.
November 11th, 2010 on 9:04 am
Yay!!! Let me know how it goes, and have fun with the kiddos!!
November 8th, 2010 on 3:27 pm
I love this idea! We verbalize our daily gratitudes during dinner, as a family, but I love the idea of putting an activity with it! This is so fantastic! Mommy of the Year award goes to you!
November 11th, 2010 on 9:05 am
Awwww… thanks, Sofia! It is a lot of fun, and every time we pick a card I feel like we’re really making someone else’s day.
Have fun!!
November 8th, 2010 on 4:07 pm
What a sweet idea and a great gift for someone.
November 11th, 2010 on 9:05 am
Thanks so much, Debby!!
November 13th, 2010 on 7:27 pm
I love this idea! I was just thinking the other day of a creative way to get my kids thinking about things they’re grateful for and this one suits that plan just fine! Thanks for sharing!