Nurturing Gratitude: 6 Fun Games for Homeschool Kids

As homeschool moms, we spend an enormous amount of time focusing on the three R’s—reading, writing, and arithmetic. We’re constantly scouring the internet for ideas, lesson plans, and benchmarks to make sure our little ones are right where they need to be academically. But what about the less obvious skills? The ones that can’t be measured by a test or a workbook page—the characteristics of the heart.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about this while watching that viral cookie challenge floating around YouTube (like this one):

It’s a funny reminder of how kids react when patience, self-control, and gratitude are put to the test. And as the holiday season approaches, it made me pause and ask: Have I done all I can to nurture gratitude in my own children?

Gratitude is more than just saying “thank you.“

Gratitude is more than just saying “thank you.” It’s a way of seeing the world—a readiness to appreciate kindness and a desire to return it. It’s a habit of the heart that grows stronger every time we notice and name it.

One of the simplest ways to cultivate gratitude is to make it part of your everyday conversations. Point it out when you see it—when someone opens a door, when you pause to pray over a meal, or when your child shares a toy without being asked. You can even make a game of it: see who can “catch” the most moments of gratitude throughout the day.

In the activities that follow, I’ll share some simple, meaningful ways to help your children (ages 4–8) recognize, express, and live out gratitude—right in the rhythm of your homeschool days.

6 Must Play Gratitude Games and Activities

Jenga Gratitude Game for Homeschool Fall Learning Activity

1. Gratitude Jenga Game

One of my favorite things to buy at Dollar Tree are the little Jenga kits. You could get a set and write things are draw pictures you are thankful for. Play Jenga, but look at each block and discuss why you are grateful for what is on that block.

Little Shoes Academy thankful turkey, hands-on color learning game

2. Gratitude Candy Game

Do your kids love candy as much as mine do? If so, they’ll enjoy this fun candy gratitude game. First, pour a bag of candy (like Skittles or M&Ms) into a bowl. Have each person select a piece or two. Before they eat it, they have to say something they’re thankful for. To help encourage them to name different types of things, assign a category to each color.

For instance, if they pick a red candy, they can name a person they’re thankful for.

You can also play a Pick Up Stick game using this color template. Let your child pick a stick. Then, depending on the color, they can name something they are grateful for. Grab a copy of this colorful template with many other games and activities here:

Gratitude Packet

$2.00

Category: Holidays

3. Thanksgiving Finger Puppets

Aren’t these so cute?

Click on the picture to download a copy.

Print it and cut it out, including the circles. Place two fingers inside the circles to create the legs of the turkey.

4. Classic Games with a Twist

Praise Pictionary

For this game, you’ll need two teams with at least two players on a team.

On your turn, you begin drawing a picture of something you’re thankful for.

The other players on your team try to guess what you’re drawing.
If they guess, your team gets the point. If not, the other team gets a chance to guess for a point.
Then, it’s the other team’s turn for someone to draw and the others to guess. Keep taking turns, rotating who is the drawer each round.

Play until one team gets 10 points or for a set number of rounds.

Charades

Make a list of things to be thankful for and write on a set of cards. Divide into two teams.
A player on the first team draws a card and then acts out (no voicing) what is on the card as members of the team try and guess what is on the card. You may choose to set a timer. If they guess, that team gets a point. If not, the other team may make one guess. If they are correct, they get the point.
The, it’s the other team’s turn to draw a card and act it out. Keep taking turns, rotating who is the person acting.

5. Tiny Blessings

Sometimes, good things come in small packages! For this game, the goal is to come up with the smallest thing to be thankful for.

The first player begins by naming something they’re thankful for, like their house.
The next player has to think of something smaller than the house they’re thankful for. Perhaps they’re grateful for the windows that let them look outside.
Keep going, taking turns saying things that are smaller than the one before.

When you reach a point where no one can think of an answer, play again. Except for this time, go from the smallest blessings to the largest ones.

6. Gratitude Board Game

Gratitude Gameboard Fun Learning Fall Activity

To play this game, begin by purchasing the Gratitude Packet below.
Print the gameboard (pictured above) and cards (not pictured). You will need to add your own die and game pieces for each player to move.
Each player takes a turn. Roll the die and draw a card. Answer by naming something you are grateful for or move back and forwards as directed. Then it is the next person’s turn.
The game is over when the first player makes it to the end of the gameboard. You can grab a copy of this colorful template with many other games and activities here:

Download a full set of Gratitude/Thanksgiving activities to make your holiday fun while teaching a valuable skill.