“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1 (NIV)

Thanksgiving is more than just turkey and pumpkin pie, it’s a day to celebrate the goodness and faithfulness of God.  The ABCs of Gratitude is a simple activity allows us to stop and remember the good things that have happened throughout the year, one letter at a time. It’s a fun activity that allows us to slow down and reflect on what we have to be THANKFUL for on Thanksgiving.

The ABCs of Gratitude

1. Gather Supplies: Grab some paper, colorful markers, crayons, and stickers.
2. Write the Alphabet: Write the alphabet on a sheet of paper. Then, write things you are grateful for that starts with each letter. Encourage your child to think about friends, family, events that have happened throughout the year, answered prayers, and favorite activities.
3. Decorate the List: Let your child decorate their ABCs of Gratitude list with drawings, markers, and stickers. This makes the activity even more fun and gives them a keepsake to look back on.
4. Reflect and Share:  At dinner (or after) have children share and talk about their list!
5. Make this a tradition: Create a new list every year to see how your child grows and develops in their writing and gratitude.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

A: Aunt Kathy’s fudge (It’s so good)
B: Building a snowman with dad
C: Cooking with mom
D: Dinner rolls (yum)
E: Eating with family
And so on…

This activity is a wonderful way to focus on the GOOD. It encourages you to slow down, appreciate the little things, and find joy in the present moment. By regularly expressing gratitude, kids can develop a habit that will serve them well throughout the school year.

Mom-tip – If your children need a little motivation in making their gratitude list – call it a “Turkey Ticket” or “Pie Points” and in order to earn their turkey dinner – or dessert – they need to show you their ABCs of gratitude.

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!

Kathryn Egly and the Help Club for Moms Team

Read more of Kathryn’s post about faith, family, and fun at https://kathrynegly.com.

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Kathryn Egly

Kathryn Egly is a mom to four boys, living and loving life in Minnesota. She writes to encourage families at KathrynEgly.com. You can connect with her there!

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