Education

Practicing Gratitude: Activities for Elementary Students

Published on November 8, 2023

Gratitude is a powerful social-emotional skill for students to learn. Plenty of research studies have shown that lessons on gratitude can have significant benefits. The more students reflect on and appreciate the good things in their life, the better equipped they’ll be to treat others with kindness, and to have a positive outlook.

While gratitude might seem like a simple concept in theory, it’s more than just being polite and saying “thank you.” To cultivate an attitude of gratitude, students need to practice it by spending time intentionally reflecting on a situation, and — in some cases — shifting their mindset from one of negativity to one of appreciation.

If you’re looking for resources to teach students how to express gratitude towards others, and focus on the positives in their life, check out these activities and lessons for practicing gratitude with your class.

Resources for Practicing Gratitude in Class

From games to collaborative art projects, this list of gratitude activities for elementary students will help nurture this important social-emotional skill.

The cover image of a TPT resource, with the text "Gumball Gratitude Game, Digital and Print, Skills for Big Feelings Companion"

Choose Grateful Thoughts CBT Digital and Pr int Gratitude Activity Game by Whole Child Counseling
Not Grade Specific

The cover image of a TPT resource, with the text "Free Poster.

Free Gratitude Poster for Social Emotional Learning by WholeHearted School Counseling
Not Grade Specific

The cover image of a TPT resource, with the text "Gratitude K-2 Tri-Fold Brochure."

Gratitude Brochure K-2 by The Counseling Teacher Brandy
Grades: K-2

The cover of a TPT resource, with the text "The Gratitude Tree Story & Class Project"

Gratitude Tree Story & Collaborative Project • Art Lesson • Writing Activity by E by Expressive Monkey
Grades: 2-5

The cover of a TPT resource, with the text "Positive Thinking Gratitude Challenges, Grade 3-7"

Positive Thinking Gratitude Activity for Improved Mindfulness and Self-Esteem by Root and Sprout Learning
Grades: 3-8

Resources for Teaching Gratitude Throughout the Seasons

While the Thanksgiving season offers a natural opportunity to teach students about thankfulness, you don’t have to limit your lessons on practicing gratitude to just the month of November. Here are some activities to help you teach this skill to elementary students at various points throughout the school year!