Gratitude Rituals to Start with Your Kids

Simple daily habits to build connection, joy, and emotional resilience

In a world that moves fast—and often feels overwhelming—practicing gratitude with your kids can create moments of calm, connection, and perspective. Gratitude isn’t just a “feel good” emotion; it’s a powerful tool that helps children (and adults) grow resilience, empathy, and joy in the everyday.

And the best part? It doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some simple, meaningful gratitude rituals you can start with your kids today.

1. Thankful Three at Dinner or Bedtime

Make it a daily habit to go around and share three things each person is grateful for.

Example prompts:

• What made you smile today?

• What’s something small you’re thankful for?

• Did anyone do something kind for you?

This helps kids reflect on the good—even in tough days—and teaches them how to spot kindness and beauty in the ordinary.

2. Gratitude Jar

Keep a jar and a stack of small papers or sticky notes nearby. Encourage your kids to write or draw something they’re thankful for and drop it in the jar. Once a week (or month), pull out a few and read them aloud as a family.

Tip: Let younger kids draw pictures instead of writing words.

3. Thank You Notes or Art

Teach your kids the joy of expressing thanks to others. Each week, help them make a thank-you card, a simple drawing, or even a voice message for someone—a teacher, neighbor, sibling, or friend.

Bonus: This ritual encourages kindness and strengthens relationships.

4. Gratitude Walks

Take a short walk and play a game:"Let’s find five things we’re grateful for on this walk!"

Maybe it's the sunshine, a blooming flower, a bird’s song, or holding hands. It turns ordinary walks into mindful, joyful moments.

5. Morning “Gratitude Stretch”

Start the day with a big stretch and a single thought of something you’re excited for or thankful for. You can say:

“Let’s wake up our bodies and our hearts.”

It only takes a minute but sets a positive tone for the day.

6. Gratitude Bedtime Snuggles

After the bedtime story or prayer, try:

“What’s one thing that made your heart happy today?”

This creates a calm, safe space for connection, especially at the end of busy or emotional days.

7. Seasonal Gratitude Boards

Use a bulletin board, chalkboard, or large sheet of paper. Let kids add sticky notes or drawings all season long—filling it with things they’re thankful for during fall, winter, spring, or summer.

Themes to try:

• Fall: Cozy things, favorite foods, people we love

• Spring: Things that are growing, new adventures, sunny days

8. Gratitude Through the Alphabet

A great car ride or dinner game! Go through the alphabet, naming things you're grateful for that start with each letter.

Example: A – apples, B – bedtime stories, C – cozy blankets...

You’ll be amazed how creative (and silly) kids can get!

9. Gratitude Photo Hunt

Give your kids a camera (or let them use your phone) and send them on a gratitude hunt around the house or yard. Have them snap pictures of things that make them feel happy, safe, or loved.

Later, look through the photos together and talk about why each one matters.

10. Model It Daily

The best way to teach gratitude is to live it out loud. Say thank you to your kids often. Point out beautiful moments. Share your own gratitude in real-time:

“I’m really thankful we had time to eat dinner together tonight.”“Wow, look at that sunset—I’m so glad we got to see it.”

Why It Matters

These tiny rituals help kids build the habit of noticing. They learn to pause. To reflect. To recognize that even when things are hard, there’s always something good nearby.

Gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is perfect—it’s about learning to hold joy alongside the mess.