Here’s a great way to Teach Kids Gratitude: Make a Family Thanksgiving Tree! My kids loved helping me create a Thanksgiving tree. It’s such a great tool to use to help my kids recognize our blessings and to show gratitude. Kids will love writing down things they are thankful for and hanging them in this gratitude tree.

Crafts are a great way to connect with your kids, as well as Helping Kids Express Gratitude.

A Family Thanksgiving Tree makes a great family tradition for kids of all ages. It makes a great fall family activity and reinforces gratitude. It’s also so pretty to display in your home. Here’s what you will need to make a Family Thanksgiving Tree:

Make a Family Thanksgiving Tree

Supplies:

• a floral block of foam
• spray paint
• rocks (you can either buy these in the craft section or at a home improvement store)
• glue gun and glue sticks
• a small dead branch from a bush or tree
• paper leaves (you can make these yourself)
• mini clothespins

Directions:

The first thing you want to do is spray paint your floral block of foam and allow to dry. I rounded out my foam with a serrated knife so it wasn’t so square. Once the spray paint is dry, then you can start adhering rocks (I found mine on my property) to the painted foam with hot glue. Just make sure if you are collecting rocks off the ground that they are clean. Then continue adding rocks with hot glue just until you get to the top of the foam.

Next, insert the branch into the top of the foam deep enough so it stays firmly upright. Now you can finish hot gluing rocks to the foam all the way to the branch.

Now take paper leaves that you either bought or made yourself (cardstock works best) and pin them to the branches of the “tree” you just made.

Finally, display on a small table or in an entryway with pencils or markers nearby so family members can write down things they are thankful for on the leaves of your Family Thanksgiving Tree.

What are your kids thankful for?   Do you have any “Thankful” traditions in your family?

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