Gratitude Activities for Preschoolers (Printable Thankful Tree and Jar Ideas)

Gratitude can feel like a big idea for a small child. But preschoolers already understand “thank you,” and they love to talk about the people and things they like. Simple, hands-on activities help turn that into a habit.

This post covers easy gratitude activities for kids ages 3 to 7, with a focus on preschoolers, that you can do at home during November and beyond.

Keeping gratitude concrete

Young kids think in specifics. “Be grateful” is hard to understand. “Who helped you today?” is easy. Good gratitude activities for this age:

• Name real people, pets, places, and things
• Use pictures and drawing, not just words
• Repeat often, in small moments
• Feel fun, not like a lesson

A thankful tree

A thankful tree is a classic for a reason.

1. Draw or print a simple tree trunk with bare branches.
2. Cut out paper leaves.
3. Each day, your child draws or tells you one thing they are thankful for. Write it on a leaf.
4. Tape or glue the leaf to the tree.

By the end of November, the tree is full. Kids love watching it grow.

A gratitude jar

Similar idea, different container:

1. Find a jar or box.
2. Each day, write one thing your child is thankful for on a slip of paper.
3. Drop it in the jar.
4. On Thanksgiving, or the last day of the month, read them all together.

Thank-you pictures

Coloring a picture for someone is a simple way for young kids to say thank you. Ask, “Who would you like to give this to?” Then help them write or dictate a short note.

A thankful turkey craft

Turkeys and gratitude go together in November. A paper turkey with feathers to color and fill with thankful drawings or words is a fun craft for both younger and older kids.

Gratitude conversation starters

Use these at dinner, in the car, or at bedtime:

• What made you smile today?
• Who helped you today?
• What is your favorite thing about our home?
• What is one food you are thankful for?
• Who would you like to say thank you to?

Keep it light. If a child says “my toy truck” every day, that is fine.

Gratitude by age

Ages 3-4: Focus on drawing and naming. “Draw someone you love.” Write their words for them.

Ages 5-7: Add simple writing. Older kids can trace “thank you,” write a name, or make a list of three things.

Gratitude at the Thanksgiving table

Thanksgiving Day is a good moment to bring all this together. A few simple ideas for the table:

• Bring the thankful tree or jar to dinner and read a few leaves or slips aloud.
• Ask each child to share one thing, then let grown-ups share too.
• Give each guest a thank-you picture colored by the kids.
• Use a placemat with a thankful prompt so kids can draw while they wait.

Young kids may be shy in a big group. It is fine if they whisper their answer to you, or just hold up a drawing.

Making it a habit

• Pick one moment a day, like dinner or bedtime.
• Model it. Share your own thankful thing.
• Keep it short. One sentence is enough.
• Save the pages. A folder of thankful drawings is a wonderful keepsake.

Gratitude beyond November

Thanksgiving is a natural time to start, but these activities work all year. A thankful tree can become a thankful wall. A gratitude jar can be opened on a birthday or New Year’s Day.

Printing tips

• Use plain US Letter paper.
• Print in grayscale. Coloring pages and crafts are line art.
• Print a few extra leaves or slips for the tree or jar.

A free thank-you coloring page

Download: Free Thanksgiving Coloring Sampler (PDF)

Free, 5-page US Letter PDF: a cover page plus 4 coloring pages, including Tilly’s Thank-You Picture, which is made for coloring and giving to someone special. (The thankful tree is a do-it-yourself idea; there is no template download yet.)

Try Printurday this November

Start with the free sample. If it is a good fit, the full Harvest & Thanks pack is $6 a month, cancel anytime. It is one 52-page US Letter PDF that prints fine in grayscale, with a 3-4 lane and a 5-7 lane, including the Thankful Turkey craft and Tilly’s Thank-You Picture.