Start the day with a conversation about how much we have to be thankful for. Ask the kids to list everything they're thankful for, while you write it down. After they run out of ideas, ask them to imagine that tomorrow they will get to keep only the things they named on your list. See what they say about that! Then, give them a chance to add other things to the list. We have so much to be thankful for. So many things we take for granted: air, food, water, plumbing, hot showers, light, health...
After they have felt a little gratitude for everything they have, lead them in some activities to help them express their thankfulness to God:
Create a work of art for someone else to enjoy. Thank God for making you YOU, with all of the talents you have...they are all from Him!
Go on a walk, picking up trash as you go. Thank God for making nature so beautiful. Take time to admire the trees, flowers, leaves. Feed the fish, turtles, ducks.
Good job, trash collectors.
Spend some time playing at the playground. Thank God for creating you for Joy! Leave a small toy for another child to keep. (Isaac suggests leaving a note so a conscientious child will know it's okay to keep the toy.)
Do a chore for someone else in your family. Thank God for the people in your life who love you.
Pack a shoebox filled with toys and goodies for a needy child. Go to the web site for Operation Christmas Child and find how to send one to a child in need. In order to reach kids all around the world by Christmas, these are usually collected the week before Thanksgiving, so it is a great tie-in to preparing our hearts for Thanksgiving.
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