Gratitude Activity for Kids: Thanksgiving Cootie Catcher

Gratitude or thankfulness is a skill that can be learned through repetitive behavior. This free gratitude activity for kids is an easy way to practice thankfulness with your kids. Plus kids love the fun folded paper cootie catchers / fortune tellers.

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Why Gratitude is Important

Gratitude is closely tied to happiness and satisfaction. Research has shown that grateful people are more likely to be happy, positive, hopeful and physically energetic.  They also tend to be more spiritual, more forgiving, and more empathetic. In addition, thankful people tend to be less depressed, envious and neurotic.

Verbally Expressing Thankfulness

Simple activities that model gratitude can help children make it a habit for life. One easy way to create this habit is to set aside a certain time of day to verbally express and reflect on what you are grateful for in life. Children need to hear adults expressing gratitude.

The Thanksgiving season is a great time to begin practicing this habit of expressing gratitude with your family. Set aside a few minutes each day to express thanks out loud. Our family does this at our evening meal.

Gratitude Activity for Kids

Finding an easy gratitude activity for kids can make establishing the habit of thankfulness easier on parents. A list of questions can spur the minds of children to get them thinking about gratitude in a bigger way, while a game can keep them interested in the conversation.

This can be as simple as:

• an easy printable dry erase board that asks kids to reflect and physically write down what they are thankful for
• a beautiful fabric scrap thankfulness garland that can be used as both an activity and a decoration
• a fun gratitude bowl that is easy for kids of all ages and encourages discussions

Free Printable Cootie Catchers

I have created a free printable thankfulness activity that kids can fold and use to discuss gratitude. It’s a simple paper fortune-teller (sometimes called a “cootie catcher”) that is popular with elementary school students.

How to Fold Cootie Catchers for Thanksgiving

The cootie catcher features fun fall designs and 16 gratitude questions that will encourage family discussions.

Get a PDF copy of the free printable cootie catcher, the black and white version, and folding instructions HERE then follow the simple instructions to make your own gratitude game.

Tip: I print my fortune tellers on matte photo paper , it is thicker than copy paper and prints with extra bright colors. This makes a sturdy paper cootie catcher that can stand up to littlle hands!

BLACK AND WHITE VERSION FOR COLORING

This project is popular with teachers who don’t always have access (or the budget) for color copies. I’ve included a black and white version in the download for kids to color and use.

MORE FREE FORTUNE TELLERS

I’ve designed lots of fun holiday cootie catchers for kids. Check out these fun versions:

• Valentine’s Day Joke Tellers are a great non-candy classroom treat or lunchbox surprise.

• Father’s  Day Joke Tellers make a perfect gift for Dad.

• Silly Snowman Joke Tellers are perfect for classroom parties.

• Hanukkah Joke Tellers (and Christmas Joke Tellers) are perfect for holiday celebrations!

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Tip: Be sure to check out my Thankfulness Dry Erase Boards for kids. It is a fun gratitude activity you can print and also use as a Thanksgiving decoration.