What a fun way to teach kids about thankfulness! All you need to do to make your own family “Thankful Tree” is to write down things you and your kids are thankful for on “leaves” and put them together in the shape of a tree! Every year now I look forward to making our “Thankful Tree” as Thanksgiving approaches, and every year we do it a little bit differently! In the past, L and I made a simple tree on a single piece of construction paper, the leaves different colors, but all the same size.
This year we made our “Thankful Tree” when my niece and nephew came over…and we made a big, fun, mixed-media tree!
We put the tree up on a door in our dining room and everyone had a job to do! L cut strips of brown paper for the tree’s trunk and branches; my 9-year-old niece helped cut leaves of various sizes and shapes; and my 6-year-old nephew did a little of both!
After everything was cut, we went outside and collected sticks, twigs, and real leaves. My niece helped write all the things we were thankful for on the leaves, while we all took turns shouting out ideas! Meanwhile, I started to tape the tree trunk and branches up on the door.
Once all the leaves were full of things we were thankful for, the kids filled the branches with the leaves! I love how it turned out!
Other ideas:
- Trace your hands and cut them out, for your tree’s leaves.
- Add a new leaf every day of November leading up to Thanksgiving.
- Make a “Thankful Tree” on Thanksgiving with the entire family.
- Instead of a tree, put your leaves together in the shape of a wreath.
The above photo was shared by one of my dear friends from childhood, Sarah. Her family is adding a hand-shaped leaf every day this November! Too cute! Comment below and share some of your “Thankful Trees” with us! I can’t wait to see all your wonderful creations!!!