Inside: Just in time for Thanksgiving, learn how to use Gratitude Stones to cultivate a sense of gratitude in kids.
A sense of gratitude, or feeling thankful and appreciative of the good things in one’s life, is an important social-emotional skill that can increase happiness and improve health. In this post, learn how to make a simple nature craft for kids, Gratitude Stones, that can be used to cultivate an attitude of gratitude from an early age.
How to Make Gratitude Stones
From infancy, children are taught to say thank you when a person does something kind for them or gives them a gift. As they grow, kids can be challenged to reflect on why they feel grateful for the kind act or gift.
When I recently asked my 6-year-old to think about why he felt thankful for a new book, he replied, “I am thankful for the book because you didn’t have to buy it for me, but you did. I am thankful for the book and for you! My heart feels happy!”
My heart feels happy! ~ Colin, age 6
What an incredible description of the feeling that a sense of gratitude awards! Gratitude does make your heart feel happy, and that is why a single heart is used to embellish the craft shared below.
To Make This Gratitude Stone Craft You Will Need
- Stones (washed and dried)
- Tissue paper
- Scissors
- Glossy Mod Podge
- Paintbrushes
Directions for Gratitude Stones Craft
1. Cut out a small tissue paper heart with scissors.
2. Place the heart on the surface of a clean stone. Using a paintbrush, lightly spread a thin layer of Mod Podge over the tissue paper and top half of the rock. Allow this layer to dry undisturbed.
3. Flip the rock over and spread Mod Podge over the bottom half. Allow this layer to dry undisturbed.
When the rocks are dry, notice how seamless and smooth they feel! The thin tissue paper conforms to every nook and cranny within the rock so that it almost seems a natural part of it!
5 Ways to Use Gratitude Stones
The gratitude stone is a physical reminder to remember your blessings! There are many ways to use them.
1. Family Dinner
Pass a gratitude stone around the dinner table before eating. When holding the stone, you must share something or someone you feel thankful for.
2. Calm Down Strong Feelings
Thinking and talking about the good things in our life can calm down angry or sad feelings and build resiliency. Teach your child how to hold the stone in their hands and list everything they feel thankful for.
3. As a Bedtime Ritual
Pass your child the gratitude stone and ask him, “What was the best part of your day?” Reply with your answer when he passes the stone back to you.
4. Share a Stone
Create extra stones and share them with the people you feel thankful for! Include a little note expressing your gratitude.
5. Spread Joy in Your Community
An attitude of gratitude is contagious! Scatter gratitude stones around your community and neighborhood to spread joy to others. Finding tiny hearts on stones is sure to bring a smile to other people’s faces!
Spreading joy and expressing gratitude makes everyone’s day brighter. How do you teach your children about gratitude?
Save This Craft
Alyssa Joske says
Thanks so much for your website. It has taught me and helped me so much! I love it and find it rewarding.
Fireflies and Mud Pies says
Glad to hear it!
Emma says
I love the “share a stone” idea – such a creative way to spread cheer around!
Fireflies and Mud Pies says
Yes! I think so too! 🙂
Devany says
What a beautiful, lovely, great idea!
Fireflies and Mud Pies says
Thank you, Devany!
Emily Schroeder says
Hi! I run a website on which I blog about ways to get children interested in family history and genealogy. I would like to feature your gratitude stones in a blog post in which I talk about how kids could bring them to a cemetery to honor and thank loved ones who have passed on. I would, of course, completely link back to this post and give full credit to you. Let me know if this would be acceptable, and, of course, I completely understand if you’d rather not. Thanks! ~Emily
Melissa Lennig says
Of course. Thank you so much for asking, Emily!
Jen M says
Where did you get your stones? Would like to do this with VBS kids this summer!
Melissa Lennig says
We found them at a park, but you can buy stones at craft stores. 🙂
Monica Nobile says
I am a grade 2/3 teacher. I am going to use this idea and attach a note so students can give the stone and note to a family member. Thank you!!
Melissa Lennig says
That sounds lovely! Thank you so much for sharing!
Kristi K. says
Thank you for this wonderful craft! I plan on using them with my Sunday School classes for our “Say Thank You: Family” lesson during November. I also want to make some larger ones to place along the mountain canyon road where we live.
AdThrive says
I love that idea!