Printable Gratitude Tree Craft

In this post, learn how making a simple Gratitude Tree can inspire and teach your child how to appreciate the many blessings in their life. Additionally, this easy Thanksgiving craft will help develop meaningful connections and conversations with your family.

What is a Gratitude Tree?

A gratitude tree is a tree craft that makes us pause, live in the moment, and reflect upon the things we feel grateful for. A gratitude tree can help you connect with your kids and understand what they feel is important.

Beyond that, making a gratitude tree is an opportunity to teach kids how to be grateful for their home, family, friends, health, and belongings. Discussing how others may not be as fortunate helps kids remain mindful of the positive things and people in their lives. As a result, taking the time to share, discuss, and create leads to happier families with stronger bonds.

This Thanksgiving tree craft is a fun personalized paper craft that can be enjoyed at home or in school. It is a visual way of expressing thanks and acknowledging our blessings.

How to Make a Gratitude Tree

Dig deeper and discover what kind of qualities and talents you appreciate in one another. Is there a hobby or sport that you love? Perhaps you can make a favorites list (favorite things to do, food, books, movies, etc.). Do you feel grateful for any significant achievements, promotions, awards, or events? There really is no limit, so have fun chatting with your family.

Now it’s time to grab supplies, download the printable template, print, write, cut, and glue! This fun project develops a positive mindset in addition to strengthening fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Once finished, proudly display your gratitude tree. If you have family visiting for Thanksgiving, invite them to add to the gratitude tree. Alternatively, your child’s gratitude tree can be a great holiday conversation starter via video messenger if your family is social-distancing due to Covid.

Turn this fun family activity into an annual family tradition! The power of positivity and growth mindset will help your children build character for life’s journey.

Craft Supplies Needed for the Gratitude Tree

Before you start this craft, make sure you have all the right supplies.

Gratitude Tree T emplate
C ardstock (blue, green, brown, red, yellow, and orange)
Scis sors
G lue
Mark ers

Watch the Video Tutorial

Watch the video below to be walked through every step of this craft.

Directions for the Gratitude Tree

This Thanksgiving craft is so simple! Follow the steps below to learn how to make it.

STEP 1: Download the template. Download and print the Gratitude Tree Template from the supply list. We chose to print our Gratitude Tree PDF on colored cardstock, but you can also print it on white cardstock for kids to color, paint, or trace onto construction paper. We printed the leaves template 3 times for a variety of fall colors.

Be sure “actual size” is selected when you print!

Gratitude tree template printed on orange and brown paper.

STEP 2: Cut out the pieces. Instruct your child to cut out the tree and the leaves with scissors. Our tree template is simple, chunky, and straight, making it perfect for little hands that are still learning to cut!

STEP 3: Fill out the leaves. Next, invite your child to use a black marker to write things they feel thankful for on the leaves. Some items may include:

Family
Friends
Pets
Food
Home
Nature
Toys
School

Challenge kids to be specific. Which particular toy are they thankful for? What is it about nature that they appreciate? Is there a family member that they feel exceptionally grateful for? After thinking about it, their answers may look like this:

Grandma
Jenny
Jake, my pet dog
Pizza
My bed
Fresh air
Legos
Art class

STEP 4: Glue the pieces. Cut out a rolling hill from green cardstock, then glue it to the blue cardstock. Then glue the tree to the hill.

STEP 5: Place the leaves. Last, glue the leaves to the tree. We chose to glue 10 leaves onto the tree, but of course, you can choose more or less! If desired, glue a few leaves to the base of the tree to complete your autumn scene!

STEP 6: Enjoy your craft. Your Thankful Tree is complete! Display it on a bulletin board, refrigerator, or wherever you show off your child’s arts and crafts.

More Gratitude Tree Projects for Kids

If you wish to take this project further, you may also enjoy:

Thankful Tree from The DIY Mommy
Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree from Frugal Mom Eh!
Chalkboard Thankful Tree from M ake Life Lovely
Washi Tape Thankful Tree from L ove the Day
Thankful Tree with Real Leaves from R hythms of Play

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