Cultivating Gratitude: Printable Gratitude Journal for Kids

Help your children cultivate a thankful heart with a gratitude journal for kids! Discover fun journaling prompts and activities that teach gratitude, and mindfulness, and build a lasting faith foundation.

Instant gratification is a wonderful thing. We rarely have to wait long for anything in our modern world. We can get 24-hour shipping, two-hour grocery delivery, and instant downloads.

However, having quick or instant access to so many products and services has put our kids at a great disadvantage. Quick gratification creates an attitude of entitlement in kids.

Now, it’s not only children who struggle with feeling ungrateful. As a mom, I sometimes struggle to be content with what I have.

I often have to work hard on myself (along with the Holy Spirit!) to turn my heart back the right way!

My kids aren’t mature enough yet to know how to make changes themselves. So, it’s my responsibility as their mom to identify where they have character weaknesses, and help them improve.

Sometimes my kids act entitled and don’t recognize their blessings. Then, they need their mom to help redirect their hearts and show them how to be grateful.

In a world full of distractions, it’s easy for our kids to overlook the blessings around them. But what if there was a simple, daily habit to help them focus on the goodness of God?

Enter the printable gratitude journal—a fun and meaningful way to cultivate a spirit of gratitude in your children!

Why Start a Gratitude Journal with Your Kids?

A gratitude journal is more than just writing a few things down. It’s a powerful tool that helps kids develop mindfulness, reflection, and an awareness of God’s blessings.

By keeping a gratitude journal printable handy, your child can learn to recognize the little and big things they are thankful for–like a sunny day, a kind friend, or the delicious dinner you made!

Gratitude journaling also encourages mindfulness for kids. It helps them slow down, think about their day, and reflect on what made it special.

This small, daily practice can have a big impact, not only in their personal growth but also in their walk with the Lord.

How to Start a Gratitude Journal with Your Kids

It’s one thing to tell your kids that they need to be grateful. But when you make it a challenge to complete, or give kids activities, it becomes fun!

Here’s how to get started:

1. Introduce the Concept: Start by explaining what gratitude is and why it’s important. You could share a gratitude Bible verse like 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Discuss how being grateful pleases God and makes us happier, too!
2. Set Aside a Time: Pick a time each day for your journaling session. It could be during breakfast, at bedtime, or even as part of your homeschool routine. Consistency is key to building this new habit.
3. Use Simple Gratitude Journal Prompts: To make it easy and engaging, use gratitude prompts for kids. Our printable gratitude journal includes thoughtful, kid-friendly prompts like:
   • people, things and animals you are thankful for
   • amazing things you are grateful for today
   • moments you are thankful for
4. Incorporate Fun Gratitude Activities: Make it fun! Our journal gives kids places to draw pictures, use stickers, or even add a short prayer thanking God for the things listed. Incorporating creative elements makes journaling for kids feel more like an exciting activity and less like a chore.
5. Model Gratitude: Kids learn by example, so make sure to model gratitude yourself. Share what you are thankful for and encourage your children to do the same. Use your own gratitude journal so that kids see it’s a practice we should all complete.

Benefits of Gratitude Journaling for Kids

Starting a gratitude journal is more than just a fun project; it’s a way of instilling lifelong values. Here are some of the benefits:

• Strengthens Faith: As kids reflect on their blessings, they begin to see how God’s hand is at work in their lives.
• Encourages Mindfulness for Kids: This practice helps children become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, realizing that God is the giver of all good things.
• Builds Resilience: Gratitude has been shown to increase resilience and positivity, helping kids handle challenges with grace and confidence.
• Promotes Contentment: A heart of gratitude focuses on what we have rather than what we lack, fostering a spirit of contentment.

Make Gratitude Journaling Part of Your Thanksgiving Activities

With Thanksgiving around the corner, now is the perfect time to start this new family tradition! Our kids journal printables are designed to be easy, engaging, and fun for children ages 7-11. They’ll enjoy filling out their daily entries and will love looking back on all the things they’ve been thankful for over time.

Ready to Start Your Gratitude Journey?

To help you get started, I’ve created a special gratitude journal printable just for kids! This journal includes daily gratitude journal prompts, creative spaces for drawing and writing, and fun ideas for gratitude activities that will keep them excited about their journaling time.

Grab your copy today and start teaching your kids the joy of gratitude. It’s a wonderful way to keep their hearts focused on God’s blessings and build a legacy of faith in your family.

Share with your friends!