Nurturing Thankfulness in Children

By: Kimba Campbell

Fall tends to bring a sense of renewal and change with its crisp air and vibrant colors. I love the cooler weather, wearing my favorite sweaters, watching football, and making s’mores in the backyard around our campfire. I also love this time of year with the anticipation of the holidays. With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I wanted to take some time to reflect on how we can nurture thankfulness in children during this season. This holiday is more than just a time for turkey, pumpkin pie, football, and family gatherings. It is a perfect moment to nurture in children a deeper sense of gratitude rooted in faith. Gratitude is a response to God’s goodness and love in our lives. Scripture calls believers to live with thankful hearts in all circumstances, making Thanksgiving an ideal opportunity to nurture this virtue in children.

At the heart of gratitude is the recognition that everything we have is a gift from God. Teaching children to see life through this lens fosters a sense of gratitude, rather than entitlement. We can begin by pointing out the blessings in our lives, such as food, family, health, and even the challenges that help us grow closer to God. We can encourage kids to give thanks to God for spiritual blessings as well. These might include Jesus’ sacrifice, the gift of salvation, or the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Here are some ways parents can teach kids gratitude during Thanksgiving and throughout the year.

Model Gratitude: Children learn by observing, and one of the most effective ways to teach gratitude is by showing it yourself. Make a habit of expressing thanks throughout the year. It is important to let your children hear you say “thank you” often. This modeling helps them understand that gratitude is not just something reserved for holidays, but it is an everyday practice.

Gratitude Journal: Create a gratitude journal, where you can write or draw things you are thankful for, pairing these with Bible verses about giving thanks. Some example verses include Psalm 28:7, Psalm 136:1, and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Teach Gratitude through Serving: The Bible teaches that gratitude should flow outward in acts of kindness and giving. I encourage your family to participate in a service project together such as packing food baskets for the needy, contributing to a church charity drive, or visiting someone who might be lonely during the holidays. Children can learn that sharing God’s love with others is a way to express thankfulness for all He has done.

Thanksgiving Traditions: Family traditions are a great way to emphasize gratitude to God. Some ideas include a short Bible reading or devotion before the Thanksgiving meal. Each family member can share what they are thankful for around the table. For a hands-on activity, make a “Thanksgiving Tree” where each family member writes things they are thankful for on leaves, attaching them to branches or a paper tree. Another idea is a “Thanksgiving Jar” where everyone can write down things they’re grateful. During the Thanksgiving meal, families can read them aloud.

Praise and Worship: Children can learn to offer thanks through music. Singing songs of praise can help children understand that worship is an expression of thankfulness for who God is and what He has done.

Teaching children gratitude during Thanksgiving provides them with tools that will last a lifetime. By focusing on God’s blessings, Thanksgiving becomes not just a holiday but an opportunity to teach children that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. I pray that your hearts will be full as you reflect on Him and His love this holiday season.