Teaching Kids about the Spirit of Thanksgiving
- largefamilyarrows
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 22 hours ago
Thanksgiving is such a special time of year. The air gets cooler, the leaves change color, and suddenly everything feels a little cozier. It’s a time when we start thinking about family, food, and all the blessings God has given us around this season.
But more than that, Thanksgiving gives us a chance to slow down and really teach our kids what it means to be thankful.
As parents, it’s our job to show our children that gratitude isn’t just something we practice one day a year — it’s a heart attitude that reflects our faith in God.
The Bible says in Psalm 103:2 (KJV),
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”
It’s important for us — and our children — to remember that God gives us blessings every single day. He tells us not to forget His benefits.
There’s an old hymn that says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.”
We really do have so much to thank Him for.
He’s given us life and health, food on the table, and a warm home to live in. He’s blessed us with our families and our children. But the greatest gift He’s given us is salvation — through His Son, Jesus Christ.
It’s so easy to focus on the things we don’t have or the things we wish were different. But as moms, we need to be the example of contentment. Our children learn from watching us. I know it’s something that I have to work on sometimes.
When we show thankfulness and contentment, even in small things, we teach ourselves that God is faithful and we can trust him for all our needs.
So this Thanksgiving, let’s take time to slow down, count our blessings, thank God for all that He’s done, and just enjoy our families.
1. Make a Gratitude Jar
One fun activity I did with my kids around Thanksgiving was make a gratitude jar. It’s a simple way to help children see their blessings.
You can grab a jar, cut out slips of paper, and each day write down something you’re thankful for. It might be family, food, a friend, or even something as simple as sunshine.
I did this with the kids, and they enjoyed making them.
Read my full post here for directions: How To Teach Kids To Be Thankful Using Gratitude Jars
It was a lot of fun, and the kids can go crazy decorating them anyway they like. The sky is the limit. Yet it helps the kids to learn to be thankful for what they have.
2. Thanksgiving Dot Printables
If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to entertain your little ones during Thanksgiving, you may like my Thanksgiving Dot Printables! These adorable worksheets include everything from turkeys and bread to pies and pilgrims.
Whether you use them during homeschool time, quiet time, or while you’re preparing Thanksgiving dinner, these printables are a simple way to keep little hands busy while reminding their hearts to be grateful.
3. Read Bible Verses on Thankfulness Together
Not that we only want to read scriptures about being thankful at Thanksgiving, it is a special time to share your favorite Thanksgiving scriptures to your kids.
While you are doing your family devotions, Bible time, Sunday School, or just around the table on Thanksgiving,
Here are a few to start with:
1 Thessalonians 5:18 — “In every thing give thanks...”
Psalm 107:1 — “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good...”
Psalm 103:2 — “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”
Reading these verses together helps kids remember that gratitude starts with God. Afterall, he is are greatest gift. In a world that isn’t showing much appreciation for what they have, we can show our children to importance of being thankful to God for his goodness and daily benefits.
4. Make Thankful Placemats
Before Thanksgiving dinner, have your kids color and decorate Thanksgiving-themed placemats. Another fun way to entertain the kids while you are working on Thanksgiving dinner, and another way to remind the kids about the holiday.
Plus, they make a beautiful addition to your dinner table!
You can find them in my shop. Click here.
5. Write Thank-You Cards
Encourage your kids to write thank-you notes to people who have been a blessing in their lives — grandparents, Sunday school teachers, or friends from church.
It’s a great opportunity to talk about showing appreciation to others, and it helps kids think beyond themselves.
6. Family Night
Have a fun game night with the family; however, surround it with a Thanksgiving theme. There isn’t anything I enjoy more than spending time with my family.
I really enjoy when I can have all 8 of my children, my 2 children-in-laws (yeah, do you like my name for them?) Also, my 4 grandbabies, and guess what? I have another little grandbaby coming around Christmas.
That will be a nice present for the parents, and the grandparents get to reap the blessings of it, too.
If you're into BINGO, or want to play with the little ones, I have created a new BINGO game for kids. You can find it in my shop.
7. Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids
If your kids love crafts, then Thanksgiving is the perfect time to get creative!
We love doing fun projects together — and sometimes the simplest crafts make the best memories.
You can find some of our favorites in my post:
From turkey wreaths to edible cookie turkeys, these activities will keep your little ones busy while teaching them the reason for why we celebrate and make memories at the same time.
You can also explore even more ideas here:
8. Serve Others as a Family
One of the best ways to show gratitude is by serving others.
You might volunteer at a local food pantry, pack Thanksgiving boxes for families in need, or bake cookies for a neighbor.
When kids see us giving our time to help others, it plants seeds of compassion and thankfulness in their hearts.
9. Keep a Family Blessings List
Hang a big piece of paper on the wall or a bulletin board and title it “Our Family Blessings.”
Every day, let each person add something they’re thankful for.
At the end of the month, read them all together. You’ll be amazed at how much there is to thank God for — even in the small, ordinary things.
10. Enjoy a Faith-Filled Thanksgiving Day
On Thanksgiving Day, before the food and the fun, take a few moments to pray together as a family.
Thank God for His love, His faithfulness, and His blessings — both big and small.
Remind your kids that Thanksgiving isn’t just about a big meal — it’s about a big God who provides for us daily. Perhaps, have everyone go around the table and share what they are thankful for.
One year one of my kids says, we need to tell what we are thankful for. When it got to her, she announced what all she was thankful for, and that she was thankful for her new little baby that would be coming the following year. Now that was a fun Birth announcement.
Final Thoughts
As moms, we may not be able to control everything that happens around us, but we can shape the spirit of our homes. When we choose gratitude and contentment, our children see it—and learn to do the same.
Psalm 103:2 reminds us,
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”
This Thanksgiving, let’s take that verse to heart. Let’s remember the countless blessings God has given us—salvation through His Son, our families, the food on our tables, and the warmth of our homes.
When we slow down, reflect on God’s goodness, and count our blessings one by one, we teach our children what true thankfulness really means.
So as you gather with your family this Thanksgiving, fill your home with gratitude, laughter,
and love.
What creative ways do you teach the Spirit of Thanksgiving to your kids? Leave a comment, I would enjoy the ideas.
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May your hearts—and your homes—overflow with gratitude this season.
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