How to teach gratitude to kids: 8 simple ways to practice

Relationships

Dec 30

Written By Calm Editorial Team

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA

Gratitude for kids doesn’t have to be forced. Explore 8 joyful and creative ways to help children notice the good, express thanks, and feel more connected every day.

When your child thanks a friend for sharing a snack or notices how soft their blanket feels, that spark of awareness is where gratitude begins. Gratitude doesn’t mean having perfect manners or polite words, but rather helping kids tune into moments of comfort and connection.

Kids don’t need formal lessons to learn gratitude. They pick it up through how we move through daily life — through laughter at the dinner table, shared routines, and the simple ways we show appreciation. When gratitude becomes part of that rhythm, children grow more grounded and confident in their relationships.

Here’s what you need to know about how gratitude develops in childhood, why it matters for emotional growth, and practical ways to nurture it through play, curiosity, and everyday life.

What does gratitude mean for kids?

Gratitude starts as a feeling before it becomes a skill. For young children, it’s that simple, happy response to being cared for: “I got a cookie from Grandma.” As they grow, their understanding deepens into something more reflective: “Grandma made cookies because she loves me.” This shift from having to understanding shows how gratitude evolves as empathy and perspective grow.

Researchers describe gratitude as a developmental process that unfolds in stages. Kids first learn to notice what they receive, then understand the reasons behind it, and eventually express appreciation in words or actions. What begins as an emotion turns into a social skill — a way of connecting effort, kindness, and care.

By viewing gratitude this way, parents can see it less as a behavior to correct and more as an awareness to cultivate. When kids practice gratitude, they’re not just learning manners. They’re learning how to recognize meaning in relationships.

Why is it important to teach kids about gratitude?

Gratitude shapes how kids see the world and relate to others. It’s more than good manners; it’s a foundation for emotional strength, empathy, and connection. Research shows that regular gratitude practice supports children’s mental and social development in several key ways:

Improved emotional wellbeing: Kids who practice gratitude report more happiness, optimism, and life satisfaction, and show lower levels of stress and anxiety.
Better resilience: Gratitude can help children recognize positive moments even during tough times, giving them emotional tools to handle disappointment and change.
Strengthened empathy and kindness: When kids appreciate others’ efforts, they become more likely to share, cooperate, and act compassionately.
Healthier relationships: Expressing appreciation can help build trust and connection — at home, at school, and with friends.
Family connection: When caregivers model gratitude—“Thanks for helping with dinner; that made my night easier”—it creates warmth and mutual respect, reinforcing what psychologists call secure attachment in action.
Balance and perspective: Gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring challenges, but instead noticing what’s good alongside what’s hard. This balanced awareness can help children navigate emotions with calm and confidence.

In essence, gratitude gives kids an internal compass for kindness and perspective. It teaches them to look for meaning — to recognize the small, steady good that’s already around them.

How can I explain gratitude to my kids?

To explain gratitude, meet your kids where they already are. Instead of defining it abstractly, connect it to their lived experience. You might say, “When your friend helped you zip your coat, that was kind. Gratitude means noticing that help and feeling glad for it.”

Researchers at the University of North Carolina (led by Andrea Hussong) outline a helpful four-step process kids can follow:

Notice what someone did for them.
Think about why that person did it.
Feel how that act affected them.
Do something to show appreciation.

Younger kids may enjoy showing gratitude through play, drawing, storytelling, or short “thank-you” rituals, while older ones might like journaling or reflecting before bed.

Most importantly, gratitude is best learned through example. When kids hear you say, “I’m grateful for the quiet of this morning,” or see you thank someone sincerely, they begin to internalize gratitude as a way of being, not a rule to follow.

How to help your kids practice gratitude: 8 activities to do together

Gratitude is most powerful when it feels like a shared rhythm, not another parenting task. Kids learn it best through repetition, modeling, and moments of genuine connection with others. The goal to create small opportunities for awareness and appreciation to show up naturally in your family’s day-to-day life.

1. Create a gratitude jar or box

A gratitude jar is one of the simplest ways to help kids visualize appreciation. All you need is a jar, basket, or box placed somewhere visible, with slips of paper and pencils nearby. Each day, or a few times a week, invite everyone in the family to write or draw something they’re grateful for. Younger children can dictate their thoughts while you write for them or use drawings to capture a feeling or moment.

Over time, the jar fills with little reminders of kindness, laughter, and joy: “Grandpa read me a story,” “My teacher smiled at me,” “We had pancakes.” At the end of the week or month, read a few together and notice how full the jar—and your hearts—have become. The ritual helps kids see gratitude as something that builds up over time, like a steady collection of good things.

2. Make gratitude part of mealtimes

Family meals are a natural space for gratitude to unfold. During breakfast or dinner, take a few minutes for everyone to share one thing they appreciated that day. It could be as simple as “I liked the funny video my friend showed me” or “I was glad for warm sunshine.” If your child feels shy or doesn’t want to share, shift the focus from “What are you grateful for?” to “What was something kind you saw today?” or “What made you smile?”

Avoid pushing for big or profound answers — authentic, small moments matter more. This easy rhythm of conversation turns meals into connection time, where gratitude isn’t a lecture but a shared family habit of noticing the good.

3. Go on a gratitude walk

A gratitude walk brings mindfulness and movement together in a way that feels playful and grounding. Take a short stroll around your neighborhood, a local park, or even just your backyard, and invite your child to name three things they appreciate in that moment. It might be the sound of birds, the way the air smells after rain, or the feel of the wind. For younger kids, you can turn it into a “gratitude scavenger hunt” by asking them to spot things that make them happy or curious.

These small moments of noticing connect gratitude to the senses, helping kids experience appreciation in their bodies rather than just thinking about it. It’s a practice that encourages presence and calm. Two qualities that support emotional regulation and joy.

4. Write or draw thank-you notes

Thank-you notes may seem old-fashioned, but they’re one of the most effective ways for children to link gratitude with empathy. Set aside time every few weeks for your child to write or draw a note for someone who has shown them kindness — a teacher, neighbor, friend, or family member. For younger children, a simple drawing or dictated message is enough. For older ones, help them reflect on why they’re thankful: “You helped me study,” or “I liked when you played with me at recess.”

Keep the tone light and fun rather than formal; it’s the intention that matters. Delivering or mailing the notes together turns it into an experience of shared giving, reinforcing how appreciation connects people and builds community.

5. Start a family gratitude board or collage

A gratitude board or collage transforms abstract emotions into something kids can see and touch. Choose a bulletin board, poster board, or wall space, and let your family fill it with photos, magazine cutouts, ticket stubs, or written notes that represent things each person feels thankful for. Maybe it’s the family dog, a favorite book, a soccer game, or a cozy blanket. Encourage kids to explain why they chose each item. This deepens reflection and helps them link gratitude to meaning.

As the board grows, it becomes a living reminder that good things exist alongside challenges. Refresh it every season or during family gatherings to keep it alive and relevant. The simple act of seeing gratitude displayed daily can lift mood and strengthen family connections.

💙 Play The Gratitude Game with Jay Shetty on the Calm app.

6. Try a kindness challenge

Gratitude and kindness feed each other, and kids often understand gratitude best by giving it away. A family kindness challenge can make this real. Pick a day, or even a week, where everyone chooses one small act of kindness to do for someone else. For younger children, it might be helping a sibling clean up or drawing a picture for a friend. For older kids, it could mean writing a supportive note or helping a classmate.

Afterward, talk about how it felt to do something kind and how they imagine the other person felt. These reflections link gratitude to empathy and emotional awareness, showing kids that being thankful and being thoughtful are two sides of the same coin.

7. Keep a gratitude journal (kid-style)

A gratitude journal can help children slow down and reflect, but it should always feel like an invitation, not homework. For younger kids, use drawings or stickers to represent what they’re thankful for. Older kids might enjoy writing one or two short entries a few times a week: “I’m grateful my friend made me laugh,” or “I liked reading with Mom.” Encourage them to include why they appreciated that moment to deepen emotional understanding.

They don’t need to journal every day. But over time, this practice helps kids notice patterns of goodness and can strengthen self-awareness.

8. Notice and name “gratitude moments” together

Some of the best opportunities for teaching gratitude come in unscripted moments. When something good happens—a funny exchange, a moment of teamwork, a cozy evening—pause and name it out loud. Say, “That hug from your friend looked really nice,” or “I’m so glad we have this time together.” Invite your child to share something they noticed, too.

Keep it casual, kids learn by imitation and energy. When they see you noticing and appreciating daily life, they naturally begin to do the same. Gratitude becomes less of a practice and more of a way of seeing the world.

💙 Explore 7 Days of Gratitude with Tamara Levitt on the Calm app.

Gratitude for kids FAQs

How can families make gratitude part of everyday life?

Gratitude doesn’t need a schedule or special occasion, it grows when families model awareness in simple, everyday ways. Focus on consistency: Share one good thing at dinner, thank your child for small actions (“Thanks for feeding the dog, that helped”), or take a quick moment before bed to notice what went well.

Kids learn more from what they see than what they’re told. When caregivers express genuine appreciation for ordinary things, gratitude becomes a natural way of living, not just a rule to follow.

How do you explain gratitude to a child?

Children understand gratitude best when it’s tied to real experiences. You might say, “Gratitude means noticing when someone does something kind or when something makes you happy, and showing that you care.” Keep it grounded in their world. “When your friend shared their crayons, that’s something to feel thankful for.”

Younger kids connect through visuals or stories, while older ones can reflect on why people act kindly. The goal is to nurture awareness, empathy, and connection.

What are some fun gratitude activities for kids?

The best gratitude activities invite curiosity and play. Kids can decorate a gratitude jar with colorful notes, take a gratitude walk to notice sights and sounds they enjoy, or help create a family gratitude board with drawings, photos, and kind memories.

Writing or drawing thank-you notes also builds empathy and helps them express appreciation. Choose one or two that feel natural for your family.

Why should kids learn gratitude early?

Learning gratitude early gives kids emotional tools they’ll use for life. Research shows that grateful people build stronger relationships, feel more optimistic, and cope better with challenges. Gratitude helps them see beyond themselves — recognizing the care and effort behind what they receive.

These early habits nurture empathy, generosity, and emotional intelligence, helping kids navigate relationships and setbacks with balance and understanding.

Can I use a gratitude journal for kids?

Yes. But it should feel like a creative outlet, not homework. For younger kids, a gratitude journal can be as simple as drawing one thing they enjoyed or adding stickers that show happy moments. Older kids can write a sentence or two about something they’re thankful for and why.

Keep it flexible — once or twice a week is plenty. Focus on genuine reflection over quantity, and celebrate the small, honest moments they choose to share.

How do you show kids how to be grateful?

Children learn gratitude by example, not instruction. Show it in real time. Thank your partner for helping with dinner, appreciate a friendly cashier, or pause to notice something beautiful.

Say your gratitude out loud so kids hear how it sounds and see how it feels: “I’m really glad we have time together tonight.” When gratitude is modeled authentically, kids absorb it as a natural part of life. Over time, those small moments build empathy, awareness, and trust far more effectively than reminders to “say thank you.”

Can mindfulness help teach gratitude to kids?

Mindfulness and gratitude go hand in hand. Mindfulness helps kids slow down, notice, and name what’s happening around them, skills that make gratitude possible. Start with simple, sensory-based practices: take three deep breaths and name one thing they can see, hear, or feel that they appreciate, like “the smell of cookies,” “the sound of rain,” or “how cozy my blanket feels.”

These small moments of awareness root gratitude in the body, not just the mind, and help kids find joy in the present instead of waiting for something “big” to be thankful for.

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Calm Editorial Team