30 Days of Gratitude for Kids: Fun Activities and Writing/Reflection Prompts for November

November is right around the corner, and that means Thanksgiving. And each year around Thanksgiving, it seems like everyone gets really into gratitude. Of course, gratitude is something we should practice year-round, but November is the perfect time to start or get back into it if you’ve fallen off the bandwagon over the last year.

Before we get started, let’s talk about what gratitude is, and why we should teach it to kids. Gratitude is noticing and appreciating the things that make our lives meaningful. That can be people, experiences, belongings, anything that makes our lives better, no matter how small. Practicing gratitude helps children (everyone really) see the positive things in their lives and be happy with what they have.

Practicing gratitude does not have to be difficult or time consuming. There are several fun and easy ways to help kids explore gratitude and realize all they are grateful for. Writing or drawing in a journal are simple ways to explore and show what they are grateful for, and don’t require anything (other than pencil and paper of course). There are also tons of gratitude activities kids can do by themselves, with friends, or as a family.

I have put together a calendar for November gratitude with 30 writing or drawing prompts, and bonus gratitude activities included. Whether you’re a parent looking for a way to bring gratitude into your home, or a teacher looking for November classroom activities, these gratitude prompts and activities are perfect for elementary aged kids.

Some suggestions for starting, and sticking with, your gratitude practice:

1. Choose a regular time. Maybe it will be first thing in the morning. Maybe right before bed, or right after school. Pick a time that will work best for your schedule and stick with it. And you only need a few minutes!
2. Pick one prompt or activity per day. No need to go crazy, there’s plenty of time to practice gratitude again tomorrow!
3. Let kids answer in their own way. Prompts can be responded to verbally, written down, or kids can draw a picture. Let them express themselves how they’d like.
4. Be flexible. There’s no need to finish every activity or prompt perfectly. If you miss a day, don’t worry about it, just jump back in the next day.
5. Join in! Kids will love parents or teachers answering the same questions as they are. Sharing answers will make it seem less like homework, and I bet everyone will learn something when sharing what they are grateful for.

30 Writing or Drawing Prompts for November Gratitude 

Day 1: Who made you smile today?

Day 2: What was your favorite part of the day?

Day 3: What are three things you’re thankful for?

Day 4: What is your favorite place?

Day 5: What is something you love to do?

Day 6: Who is someone you appreciate?

Day 7: When was a time someone did something kind for you? How did it make you feel?

Day 8: What is something you are glad to have in your life?

Day 9: Who is someone who helps you?

Day 10: What is a meal or snack you really enjoy?

Day 11: Do one small act of kindness today. What did you do? How did it make you feel?

Day 12: What is something you are good at?

Day 13: What is your favorite book or story? 

Day 14: What is something you enjoy seeing?

Day 15: What is something you enjoy smelling?

Day 16: What is something you enjoy tasting?

Day 17: What is something you enjoy touching?

Day 18: What is something you enjoy hearing?

Day 19: What is something you like about yourself? 

Day 20: What do you appreciate about one of your friends?

Day 21: What is something you’ve done that made you proud?

Day 22: What is something small that makes you happy?

Day 23: What is something new you learned this year?

Day 24: What is your favorite family tradition?

Day 25: What is something you use every day that makes your life easier?

Day 26: Who is someone you’d like to thank? Why?

Day 27: What is something you are looking forward to?

Day 28: Think of something that took a lot of practice. What helped you keep trying? What did you learn? 

Day 29: Who is a teacher or a helper you appreciate?

Day 30: What was your favorite memory this month?

Keep the gratitude going beyond the 30 day challenge with these Bonus Gratitude Activities

• Make a Gratitude Tree – Draw a tree with several branches. Cut out leaves from colored paper and write something you are grateful for on each leaf. Add the leaves to your tree.
• Make a Family (or Classroom) Gratitude Jar – Everyone writes or draws several things they are thankful for, each on a separate piece of paper. Fold up the papers and put them in a jar. Add to it throughout the week. At the end of the week, read all the things everyone was thankful for.
• Write a Thank You Story – Think of someone who has helped you and write or draw something about that person. It could then be sent to that person as a thank you card!
• Create a Thankful Collage – Use old magazines, colored paper, and crayons or markers. Have kids create a collage of the people, places, and things they are thankful to have in their lives.