From 1 to 100 years old, practicing gratitude and generosity is good for us all – whether that’s in the giving and receiving of gifts, taking stock of things that make us feel good inside, or volunteering to help others in need. By building moments like this into our day-to-day routines we create a habit of being thankful. We also encourage our children to build a caring, unselfish relationship with the world around them.
Take time to recognize the things your family is grateful for throughout the holiday season and all year long. Check out the articles and activities below for ideas on how to appreciate those who help us, ways to talk with our children about concepts like gratitude and generosity, and steps to turn those conversations into actions!
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Put Generosity & Gratitude into Practice
For Greater Happiness, Teach Gratitude
Grades PreK-3
How can we fit more opportunities to express gratitude into our already packed schedules? Try a few of these strategies for making expressions of thanks part of your family’s daily routine.
Tips for Volunteering With Kids
Grades PreK-3
Learning the value of helping people and places in need can be the start of a lifelong commitment to giving. Here are some helpful ways to get your child involved in community service.
10 Guidelines for Raising Generous, Money-Smart Kids
Grades PreK-3
Generosity is the result of experience and practice. Learning how to spend, save, and give away money is a life-skill that takes years to develop. Help your children begin a smart relationship with money, and understand the importance of giving, by using these tips and simple guidelines.
The Amazing Effects of Gratitude | Braincraft
Grades 6-12
Be grateful, it’s good for you! Learn about the science of gratitude and how it benefits our minds, bodies and relationships with this video from Braincraft.
Activities, Games & More
Books to Inspire Gratitude
Grades PreK-4
What does it mean to be thankful, why is it so important, and what should our families be thankful for? Sometimes the best way to explain these concepts to kids is with books. Check out these books that inspire gratitude for kids ages 0-9.
Arthur’s Giving and Keeping Game
Grades K-5
Explore the topic of generosity in the interactive game, Arthur’s Giving and Keeping Game. Arthur finds out sharing things (including time) isn’t always easy to do. Help Arthur make some difficult decisions about sharing his chocolates, money, and time with friends.
Make a Gratitude Jar
Grades 1-3
This Thanksgiving, and all year long, take some time to reflect on what you and your child are thankful for. Gather around to open your jar and read all of the reasons you have to be thankful!
Young Peace Leaders: Cultivating Gratitude
Grades 3-8
What does giving thanks mean to you? In order to explore gratitude, students discuss the meaning of giving thanks and create flags to symbolize what they are grateful for in this video from The Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values. Students learn that by expressing gratitude, they can come to appreciate the kindness of others and the importance of their relationships with family, friends, and teachers!
Nine Stories Made by and About Young People Making a Difference
Grades 6-12
Giving back to the community is on most people’s to-do list, but it takes time and a commitment. A recent study from the National Conference on Citizenship shows that millennials and teens are more likely to volunteer than other recent generations, and are more civically engaged. Check out these nine stories about young people making a difference from Youth reporters in PBS NewsHour’s Student Reporting Labs.