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Make a Thankful Tree

Show Children the Meaning of Thanksgiving

Nov 3, 2008 Jeanette Norman

With the American tradition of Thanksgiving coming up, one crafty idea to get young minds and hearts busy looking at their lives is a Thankful Tree.

Today’s American society is are focused a lot on material belongings, things people don’t have, and what things they may really want. It is important for children to learn to be thankful for what you have both materialistic and non-materialistic. This can be done in the classroom or as a family activity. The following can be a great experience to bring families closer and bring a greater appreciation for our family members especially if you aren't normally able to spend a lot of time together in one spot very often. This can become a great family tradition.

Making the Tree and Leaves

What you will need is some wall space that children or your family will see often, such as a wall near where you have circle time in a classroom setting or the dining room wall where everyone eats dinner. A simple tree trunk shape, with or without leaves on it, can be made from a brown grocery bag or construction paper or white paper the child can color. And, obviously, something to stick your lovely tree and leaves to the wall with. The leaves can be printed onto construction paper and cut out or on a white sheet of paper to allow the children to color it. This can be tedious everyday though.

Age Appropriate Responses

When doing this activity, keep in mind a lot of preschool age children may say they are thankful for some self-centered things and materialistic things. You may have a slow start to this idea as well. Set an example for the children by starting yourself. Write something you are thankful for and put your name on the bottom of the leaf. After you have put yours on the tree, ask the children what they are thankful for. Write it for them on the leaf they choose if they can't write, write their name or let them try to write their own names. You can do this everyday or once a week. Don’t think any answer is too silly. This activity helps a child to reflect on their lives and daily activities.

This is a nice leaf pattern. For a complete preschool lesson plan, Brenda Layman has a great Preschool Plan for Autumn Leaves article posted.

End this activity by reading all the leaves before a Thanksgiving Day feast. If this is done in a preschool classroom, you can do the same or wait until right before the end of the day.

The copyright of the article Make a Thankful Tree in Kids Activities is owned by Jeanette Norman. Permission to republish Make a Thankful Tree in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.