Creating a Thankful Tree for the Month of Gratitude
"Gratitude turns what we have into enough."
November is a time to slow down and reflect on all the blessings that surround us. One of our favorite family traditions is creating a Thankful Tree—a simple yet meaningful way to nurture gratitude throughout the month. It’s a beautiful practice that grows day by day, as each family member adds something they are grateful for. When my kids were younger, we made a tree trunk and branches out of recycled paper bags and traced our hands to make leaves. Each day, we added a hand-shaped leaf with a note of gratitude to the tree, which we taped to the door. It became a lovely visual reminder of all the good things in our lives.
Below, I’ve outlined age-appropriate variations of this activity so that families of all ages can create their own Thankful Tree and celebrate the spirit of gratitude together.
Preschool
Introducing Gratitude through Simple Acts
Preschoolers are just beginning to understand the concept of gratitude. A Thankful Tree allows them to practice recognizing and expressing appreciation in a tangible way. For this age group, keep it simple by guiding them to think of things that make them happy—like their favorite toy, a pet, or a sunny day.
Activity:
Create a basic tree shape with a trunk and branches using recycled paper bags. Let your preschooler paint or color the tree. Each day, have them choose something they are thankful for and help them draw a simple picture or trace their hand to make a leaf. Attach the leaf to the tree together and talk about why that thing is special to them.Make it stand out
Lower Elementary
Exploring Gratitude Through Creativity
Children in this age group can begin to articulate their feelings and understand the deeper meaning of gratitude. Invite them to think of people, places, or moments they appreciate, and encourage them to be specific.
Activity:
Use recycled paper bags to create a tree trunk and branches, and let your child decorate it with their own designs. Each day, trace their hand on colorful paper or paper bags, cut it out, and have them write one thing they are grateful for on each hand-shaped leaf. This is a great opportunity to talk about why gratitude is important and how it makes us feel connected to others.
Up
per Elementary
Reflecting on Gratitude and Connection
At this stage, children can grasp more abstract ideas about gratitude. Encourage them to think beyond their immediate environment and reflect on the things that make their lives meaningful, like experiences, family traditions, or acts of kindness.
Activity:
Work together to create a larger Thankful Tree using recycled paper bags for the trunk and branches. Provide different colors of paper for the leaves and ask your child to write one thing they are grateful for each day. Encourage them to go deeper and think of ways they can express their gratitude through small acts of kindness, like writing a note to someone they appreciate.
Middle School
Creative Expression of Gratitude
Middle schoolers are beginning to think outside of their immediate environment and explore their connection to the world around them. This is a great time to encourage them to use their creativity to express gratitude in a more personal and imaginative way.
Activity:
Gratitude Pebble Tree—Instead of using paper, gather small, smooth pebbles from a nature walk or a local park. Have your middle schooler paint or write something they are thankful for on each pebble using acrylic markers or paint pens. Arrange the pebbles around a small potted tree or an outdoor tree in your yard, creating a visual reminder of gratitude. This activity allows them to physically connect with nature and express appreciation in a tangible, lasting way.
High School
Personal Reflection and Art
High schoolers are ready to explore gratitude through deeper self-reflection and creative expression. Encourage them to use their artistic skills to create a more sophisticated and meaningful representation of the Thankful Tree.
Activity:
Gratitude Photo Tree—Instead of the traditional tree format, ask your high schooler to create a collage or display using photos that represent things they are thankful for. They can take pictures throughout the month—capturing moments with friends, family, nature, or even small daily joys. Print these photos and create a tree shape on a wall or poster board using string or washi tape to connect each photo like branches. This activity allows them to visually document their gratitude journey and reflect on the meaningful moments that shape their everyday lives.
Feel free to explore these activities in a way that suits your family’s rhythm—adapt them, mix them up, or create something entirely new! The beauty lies in making them your own. If you try something different, we’d love to hear your story and share in the journey!
Parent Reflection
Creating a Thankful Tree has been one of our most cherished traditions, a daily reminder of the simple blessings that fill our lives. As parents, we have the opportunity to model gratitude for our children, showing them that even in the busiest of times, there is always room to pause, reflect, and appreciate the good. Watching the tree grow throughout the month not only brightens our home but also deepens our sense of connection with one another. This practice is a powerful way to bring mindfulness, gratitude, and joy into our lives, one leaf at a time.
