In Calgary, fall brings to mind autumn-colored foliage, pumpkin carving, and noteworthy days such as Thanksgiving. Traditionally, Thanksgiving in Canada was a way to express gratitude for a bountiful harvest, but today, the theme of thankfulness has become all-encompassing. Many Calgarians also celebrate American Thanksgiving in November. Practicing daily gratitude has grown so popular it is no longer a seasonal trend in society. But how do you cultivate appreciation specifically in children? This Thanksgiving, try one or more of these fun activities and make this holiday that much more special.
Build a thankful tree. Cut leaves out of orange, red, and yellow construction paper. Jot down things your family is thankful for on each leaf, and attach them to a paper tree trunk. Display it full-size on a wall, or, if making individual trees, scale it smaller to fit a sheet of regular printer paper.
Gratitude scavenger hunt. Prepare a list of generic instructions to inspire a gratitude-focused scavenger hunt. Use prompts such as: find something you’re thankful for that is your favorite color, was a meaningful gift, or makes you smile.
Give back to your community. If your children are young, take them shopping to pick out food that can be donated to Thanksgiving hampers at the Calgary Food Bank. If you have tweens or teens, volunteer time to instead assemble the hampers or serve a Thanksgiving meal at an organization like The Mustard Seed.
Notes of appreciation. Ask your children to think of three people they appreciate and encourage them to write a note or draw a picture expressing their gratitude. Accompany them to hand-deliver this special memento.
Create gratitude affirmations. This is a personal one, so have each child think of three daily affirmations to express appreciation. Some helpful prompts include,
“I am thankful for…,” “I am happy with…,” or “I am blessed because…”
Create a gratitude alphabet. Work together, be creative, and see if you can complete all the letters from A to Z with people, places and/or things your family holds dear.
Random acts of kindness. Challenge your children to complete three random acts of kindness this fall. It can be as simple as sharing a snack with a friend or raising money for a cause close to their heart by selling lemonade and cookies.
Start a gratitude journal. Autumn is the perfect time of year to have children start a daily gratitude journal. There are many published journals available for purchase online and in stores, but you can also grab a blank notebook and let your child personalize the cover with stickers and embellishments. Then, encourage them to record three to five things they’re grateful for each day.
Participate in a non-profit walk & run. Fundraise and collaborate in a charity event such as the Alzheimer Calgary Walk & Run in October. Not only is this a great way to give back to society as a family, it’s also the perfect opportunity for bonding.
Play a gratitude game. There are many versions of gratitude games available online. Try Googling “Skittles gratitude game,” “gratitude Jenga,” or “gratitude dice game.” Choose the game that suits your family best, gather what you need, and start playing. You may be surprised by what you learn about one another!
Born in the prairies, Stephanie has lived in both Canada and the U.S. She is a mother, cancer-survivor, cat lover, and avid traveler. Stephanie is the creator of the family travel blog, Next Family Getaway, nextfamilygetaway.com, where she shares trip ideas and travel advice for those traveling with kids.
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