Younger children know that on Thankgiving they are going to get to see family and eat a large meal. They may not, however, fully understand the importance of giving thanks. Fortunately, parents can teach children how to be thankful through a handful of activities.

Tree of Thanks

Cut out a large tree from a piece of green poster board. Then cut out leaves from fall-colored pieces of construction paper. Ask your child what he is thankful for, and encourage him to write these things down on the leaves. Give him time to glue the leaves to the tree while contemplating what life would be like without the things he is thankful for.

Thanksgiving Turkey

The Thanksgiving turkey works the same way as the tree of thanks. Instead of children listing what they are thankful for on cut-out leaves, they list them on colorful turkey feathers. A paper plate can be decorated to look like a turkey, and then the children can glue the feathers of thanks to the back of the paper plate. Turkey legs can be drawn on a sheet of brown construction paper, and then attached to the bottom of the paper plate with glue or tape.

Poem of Thanks

Ask your children to make a list of what they are thankful for, and then turn that list into a poem. The poem can be written on a fancy piece of stationary, or on a sheet of construction paper. Place the poem in a frame, and set it on the table for all to see on Thanksgiving Day.

Tip: If the frame for the poem is plain, cut out some candy corn pictures and glue them around the outside of the frame.