5 Gratitude Activities for Kids (+Free Printables)

This time of year, it’s easy to remember to be thankful. From supportive family and friends

to a roof over your head, we can find something each day that is special. Did you know it’s been

scientifically proven that practicing gratitude makes you happier? Why not do it more often then?

Teaching your kids gratitude is a great way to grow closer together and raise happy, positive-thinkers.

Ultimately though, it starts with you setting a good example for them to follow. It can be hard to be grateful when we have a tough day, but remember that even the little moments are a blessing. Show your children that there is a lot to be thankful for—both big and small. 

To help practice gratitude, check out these five gratitude printables from Bestow that feature games

and activities for your family. These can be done year-round to inspire some positivity. 

Gratitude Tree

Thank You Notes

Gratitude Jar

Gratitude Scavenger Hunt

Gratitude Yoga Flow

Set aside some time with your kids to write down the things you’re thankful for or go on a fun

photo scavenger hunt to capture the memories. No matter how you show it, find ways to

appreciate life’s little moments. What are you thankful for today?

Free Turkey Color Games

We are focusing on colors this week and these adorable turkeys make learning so much fun.  I have three game options and a couple of additional ideas for you.

 The I spy hunts are always a favorite!  I also love to get the most out of my printables as I can that is why I plan to have my kids find the turkeys.  Identify the color, match it to the recording sheet and then "feed" the turkeys pom poms or buttons.  You can also add a dice to get in some counting as well.  So many options with this set.  I love it.

 How cute are these turkeys :) If you have really little ones you do not need to use all of the cards.  I sometimes put out 4 to 6 for my little one and then add more colors as we go.

Normally I add the free download right here but I decided to try something new.  I just opened a Teacher Pay Teacher store and have added this download for free in my store.  You do need to sign up for a free account but it is totally worth it!  You will find tons of amazing activities and this is where I get all of my adorable clip art.  There are lots of free options as well as paid.  Anyway head over to my new shop and grab your free printable turkey game :)  

*I have not decided if I am going to start posting all of my preschool printables over there or keep some here.  It will probably be a mix.  All of the Come Follow Me lesson helps will stay on my website.

Come Follow Me: James (November 18-24)

These week we are covering James.  I knew I wanted to talk about James 1:5 and the First Vision.  More specifically we are going to talk about receiving answers and acting on those answers.  There are several topics this week and many of them we have covered before.  If you are needing one of these other topics use the search bar on my website and there may be a few ideas.  These lesson helps can be used for FHE or primary class.


Start by reading the scripture together.  Discuss what it means and if they have heard this scripture before.

Next I plan to watch one of the following videos.

The first is a clip of the first vision (towards the bottom of the page) OR if you have more time you can find the full movie here.  I also found it free on Amazon prime-I like this option so we can watch it on our tv.  

I plan to use the full movie and watch it tonight with some popcorn.  The reason why I am choosing to use the full movie is because I want to teach my kids that after Joseph Smith received his answer his work was not done.  In fact it was just starting.  Heavenly Father answers our prayers but it is up to us to first listen and recognize the answer and then ACT on that prompting.

I also included some puppets if you prefer to tell the story. Cut and attach to Popsicle sticks.

Answers to Prayer activity.  We are going to talk about some ways Heavenly Father answers our prayers.  Add the pictures during your discussion or a favorite is to hide the pieces and add them to the poster as you find them.  I also included black and white pages for the kids to color.  They can draw the ways Heavenly Father answers their prayers OR draw pictures of  times their prayers or even questions they may have.

The last page goes with James 1:22 "be ye doers of the word..." This goes a little bit with what I said above about needing to act.  This reminded me of a quote we have in our house that I absolutely love "it is in the doing not just the thinking that we accomplish our goals."  I looked up the talk this was from and thought it well with this scripture.  We are going to read the following quote and story and talk about effort and the need to act to progress.

Update: I just added this page to the download.  It goes with the story and quotes above.  The idea is to write or draw a goal on the shoe.  Maybe write a few ways to accomplish the goal.  Encourage your kids to pick something that may be difficult and require some effort.

That's all for this week.  If you have any trouble downloading or have any questions please let me know :)

Download Free Prints Here

Come Follow Me: Hebrews 7-13 (November 11-17)

I'm sorry for the unexpected break last week.  I had planned to have something posted before I left but was hit with awful stomach pain the day before I left on my trip.  Luckily it eased up quite a bit before I left.  So I am very sorry about that.  I went on my very first vacation alone in probably forever :)  My sister had a baby and my husband surprised me with a plane ticket to go visit her.  He took care of all of our kids and I had a great time hanging out with family, watching a lot of Halmark, went to Waco, and snuggling an adorable baby :)  It was so much fun but good to be back.

(any other fixer upper fans?!?)

This week we are focusing on Hebrews 11 and faith.  In a letter to the Hebrews Paul teaches the importance of having faith.  Ask your family "What is faith?"  Then read Hebrews 11:1  Breifly share the story of Noah emphasis that that he built an ark even though he could not see any rain.  He had faith.

Watch the video of the song “Build anArk.”   If you would like to learn the words to this song I did include the lyrics and some cute mini posters to help you.  The posters are 4 to a page.  Cut and place in order.  

Activity: Grab pillows and blankets and build your own ark in the living room.  As you add a pillow or blanket share a way you can build your faith in Jesus Christ.

Then gather as a family inside your ark.  Search Hebrews 11 for other people mentioned that showed great faith. 

What do we learn about faith from Noah? Why do we need to build our faith?

If you don't want to build an ark this match game would also be fun.  After you find a match share a way you can build your faith.  

Noah's Ark Animal match game There are 12 cute animals.  Print 2 (preferably on cardstock).  Cut and you are ready to play.

 For a little extra fun print out Noah and his boat.  Cut the entrance out.  As the kids find a match let them help the animals board the ark :)

 I placed the boat in front of an open box but anything that will hold it up straight will work.

 The cards fit perfectly if turned at an angle.

 We like to do activities like this during preschool and my kids LOVE it!

That is all for this week.  If you have any questions or trouble with the download please don't hesitate to ask!

Download Free Printables Here

Sorry there will be no Come Follow Me Post this week.  I'm gone visiting family and helping my sister with her new baby :)  See you next week.

Come Follow Me: 1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon (October 28–November 3)

Thank you all so much for your kind words and encouragement in regards to the changes I'm making with these posts.  I love and appreciate all of you so much.  This week I am focusing on 1 Timothy 4:12 (Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.) One of the talks referenced was 

 President Monson's talk Be an Example and a Light.  I loved studying this talk.  It walks you though this verse step by step and decided to use it for our Family Home Evening this week.  (You can easily adapt this to primary)
To start I am going to share this intro page and talk about what it means to be an example and why being a light is a good reference for being an example

Next I made a mini book. Cut all the pages out and hide them around the room (expept the first page).  Read the begining of the scripture on the first page then let your kids hunt for the other 5.  When one is found read the words on the top.  Share the quote from President Monson's talk and discuss ways they can be an example regarding that attribute.  Write the ways shared on the page.  Continue until all the pages have been found.  If you want you can give each person their own book to write or draw ways they can be an example.

 One suggestion in the primary manual is to sing "Do as I'm doing."   I thought it would be fun to try a Halloween version by using the dice in the download.  Print and cut along the solid line.  Fold on the dotted line and tape or glue together to create a dice.  Start by asking your family to follow your example.  Roll the dice and do the action while singing the song.  Then let your family take a turn to roll the dice and be the example.  Finish with the last quote from the talk (its the long one on the right side of the quote page).

Bonus activity: 1 Timothy 3:1–2; Titus 1:7–9 talks about the roles of a bishop.  I thought it would be so fun to make a treat and take it to the bishop.  I included some thank you hearts that can be used as a card.  Or if at church let the kids write or draw a thank you note on the back of the hearts for the bishop.  They can decorate the front.  Or if you have extra time decorate the hearts (and add some more) and heart attack his office door or home.  The bishop and his family will love it :)  If you don't have time this week it would be a great activity for Thanksgiving or Christmas too.

That's all for this week.  If you have any questions or trouble with the download please let me know.  Also if you have signed up for my newsletter watch for a bonus activity in your email tomorrow! Just my way of saying thanks for hanging out with me :)  You can sign up on the side bar if you would like.  I'm not very good at sending emails so I promise you won't be overwhelmed by tons of emails.

Download the Free Printables here

Free Spider Shapes File Folder Game

I have a fun Freebie for you just in time for Halloween.  

Practice shapes with this adorable spider themed match game.  You can glue the two pages to a file folder or use as is (that's what I do). Print the two pages full of webs and the page of spiders.  I recommend cardstock and laminate if possible.  Cut out the spiders and you are ready to go.  Help the shape spiders find their matching webs.  You can also add Velcro or magnets so your pieces don't slide. 

Download your free game here!