Thankful Tree Ideas, Examples, and DIY Tutorials

Give thanks this Thanksgiving, and cultivate an attitude of gratitude in the home, office, or classroom with these easy gratitude or thankful tree tradition ideas for kids and adults.

A thankful tree, also known as a gratitude tree, tree of thanks, or a Thanksgiving tree, offers a simple activity and decoration to reflect on the things that bring joy, comfort, and meaning to our lives. The thankful tree tradition provides a fun way for kids and adults to bring gratitude and joy back to the Thanksgiving table and your holiday celebrations. However, a gratitude tree does not need to be limited to any particular holiday.

These interactive decorations offer a heartwarming way to promote positivity and connection, teach children about gratitude, and remind adults of the blessings in their lives. Of course, they also provide a fun gratitude activity for Thanksgiving and other fall harvest festivals. But they can bring meaning and happiness to your days any time of year!

Discover how the thankful tree tradition can help cultivate appreciation and foster a grateful attitude with the gratitude tree ideas included in this informative guide to thankful trees. A gratitude tree can be a meaningful family activity, an interactive classroom project, or a teambuilding activity in the workplace. It can also serve as a personal ritual, helping you slow down and reconnect with what truly matters, especially during dark or uncertain times.

Use the fantastic thankful tree activity ideas included in this guide to nurture gratitude, foster a sense of appreciation, and add charming DIY fall decor to your home, classroom, or workplace for Thanksgiving or any time of year. You may also enjoy this list of Thanksgiving Traditions and fun things to do for Thanksgiving. Scroll down to see the simple Thanksgiving gratitude tree craft ideas you can use to create your own thankful tree. Gather inspiration with the ready-made and DIY project ideas provided.

The thankful tree: A Modern Tradition for Thanksgiving:

The Thanksgiving thankful tree tradition offers a fun and interactive way for the entire family to express gratitude for everything they are grateful for—big and small. Individuals, families with children, roommates, schools, and businesses can adopt this Thanksgiving tradition to express gratitude throughout November during the holiday season. These decorative trees provide a beautiful way to count down to Thanksgiving and share gratitude during the darker months of the year. But they can be made any time of year. Share your thankfulness with loved ones and spread gratitude to the world with the creative Thankstiving ideas in this helpful guide.

There are several simple methods to create a thankful tree, such as making gratitude ornaments from leaf-shaped paper, real leaves, scratch art leaves, clay leaves, and more. Gratitude trees make charming autumn DIY home decor and a meaningful centerpiece for the Thanksgiving dinner table. The thankful tree ideas listed below can help you incorporate this easy gratitude activity into your Thanksgiving celebrations at home, in the classroom, or at work.

First published on October 20, 2015, this list of Thanksgiving tree ideas is regularly updated to keep the content fresh. My goal is to help you design a gratitude tree you love, using the latest Thankstiving tree activity ideas for children and adults. You may also enjoy the printable gratitude worksheet, the Thankful Turkey printable, and thankful turkey placemats, suitable for both kids and adults.

What Is a Gratitude Tree?

A gratitude tree is the same as a thankful tree. It’s a modern-day Thanksgiving tradition that involves inviting guests of all ages to write or doodle what they’re most grateful for onto an ornament, such as a clay or paper leaf, and placing it on the thankful tree as an interactive seasonal display. This Thanksgiving activity idea is designed to foster positive emotions, such as gratitude and thankfulness, while mitigating negative thoughts and feelings, including depression and anxiety, by developing self-regulation skills during the holiday season.

What do you put on a Thanksgiving tree?

A Thanksgiving tree is typically decorated with “leaves” and other “ornaments” where people write down messages of gratitude and positive things they are thankful for. The idea is to write down what you’re most grateful for on the leaves or ornaments and then hang or attach them to the tree’s branches. As more people add their messages, the tree becomes a visual display of collective gratitude, creating a positive and thankful atmosphere.

A gratitude tree and its leaves also make a lovely centerpiece for Thanksgiving gatherings, as they can serve as a reminder of the many blessings you have. But these decorations don’t need to be associated with any particular holiday. Gratitude trees can be made to foster gratitude in your home, school, or work any time of year.

Several ornaments and decorations for decorating a gratitude tree are listed in the “Thankful Tree DIY Tutorial and Ideas” below. A gratitude or thankful tree can also include other decorative elements, such as ribbons, pom-poms, seasonal ornaments, or string lights, to make it more visually appealing. First, read through the step-by-step directions below, then scroll to the bottom of the post to see several examples of variations you can try.

What do you write on a thankful tree?

Write something on each leaf or ornament to represent someone or something you’re thankful for: a friend, a small act of kindness, a personal achievement, or even a beautiful moment in nature. The idea is to pause, notice the good around you, and express that feeling. Gratitude is a value shared across cultures, faiths, and philosophies — it reminds us to focus on abundance rather than lack.

Invite children, family, friends, coworkers, or students to write what they are most thankful for onto a gratitude ornament and hang it on the tree to add to the decoration. In other words, encourage children and adults to write down what they appreciate most about the world. This can include positive events, people, places, things, acts of kindness, etc. 

The primary purpose of writing these thankful thoughts is to cultivate positive emotions, such as gratitude, while mitigating negative emotions, like anxiety and depression, during the darker half of the year. As the tree fills with thankful leaves and other ornaments bearing words of gratitude, it becomes a beautiful representation of the group’s collective gratitude. “Thankful” is written on a preserved autumn leaf in the photograph below.

What is the purpose of a Gratitude Tree?

Creating a gratitude tree is a fun way for children or adults of all ages to express appreciation for the people, things, and events that positively influence their lives. The purpose of a gratitude tree is to inspire reflection on life’s blessings and create a tangible representation of the things for which we feel most thankful when the days grow shorter and the nights longer after the fall equinox.

This simple fall ritual can increase positivity in the home, workplace, or school, making it a valuable addition to Thanksgiving celebrations and other occasions where gratitude is emphasized as the world grows darker and the light dimmer. Incorporate this gratitude activity idea for kids and adults into your Thanksgiving celebrations to nurture gratitude, practice mindfulness, encourage reflection on the positive aspects of life, and bring people closer together during the holiday season.

Benefits of Thankful and Gratitude Trees

A gratitude tree can encourage people to express their gratitude and cultivate a greater awareness of the many positive aspects of their lives. Writing words of thanks and appreciation on ornaments and hanging them on a thankful tree is a simple way to increase positive emotions, such as gratitude and thankfulness, while warding off negative feelings, including anger, anxiety, and depression, during the holiday season. Engaging in these simple Thanksgiving activities can also help people become more aware of others’ emotions and feelings. This helps increase feelings of empathy and other essential life skills. This makes thankful and gratitude trees excellent for nurturing thankfulness at home, as well as in various educational, therapeutic, and corporate settings.

How to Make a Thankful Tree (or Gratitude Tree) for the Thanksgiving Tree Tradition or Fall Festivals:

The thankful tree tradition is a Thanksgiving craft and a family-friendly activity that promotes gratitude and appreciation. This tutorial is divided into several sections. It begins with several options for creating a thankful tree, along with the directions to assemble it, followed by DIY examples with pictures that help you make an informed decision about the materials to use before starting this project.

With the fall tree craft ideas included in this guide, you can create a gorgeous interactive centerpiece for children and adults at home, in the classroom, in the workplace, or at the Thanksgiving dinner table. The instructions below begin with several different types of materials you can use to make a gratitude tree. After you peruse the list, look at several examples of how to make a thankful tree with pictures. For more thankful crafts and activities, click the link. Choose from the following supplies to create a gratitude or thankful tree:

1. Start with Bare Branches, a Thankful Tree Kit, or a Small Tree:

• First, you must decide whether to use bare branches, a small tree, or a wall decal, a thankful tree kit, etc., to create your gratitude tree.
• A few thankful tree craft kits and different gratitude tree options you can use to make a Thanksgiving tree are listed and discussed below to help you decide which materials to use.
• Choose one of the following three options for the base of the tree:

1a. Bare Branches:

• Making a thankful tree with bare branches is a simple and budget-friendly option. However, this option requires trees growing nearby and the space to collect them. Use the tips below:
  • Go on a nature hunt in your backyard, at a local park, or outdoors to find a couple of suitable small tree branches to create a thankful tree.
  • They are often lying on the forest floor or the ground of a wooded area where trees grow.
  • For best results, gather bare limbs or tree branches that are 3 to 6 feet long and 0.5 to 1 inch thick.
• Alternatively, decorative branches can be purchased at a florist, local craft store, or the Amazon affiliate links below:
  • Willow branches
  • Artificial willow branches
  • Faux Lighted branches
  • Artificial Manzanita Branches
• Place artificial or real branches into a large vase.
• Each tree branch can be trimmed to the desired length with a good pair of garden shears.
• Add sand, rocks, or other weighted decorative elements around the branches to secure them in place and prevent the weight of the sticks from causing them to tip over.

1b. Thanksgiving Thankful or Gratitude Tree Options:

• If you don’t want to make a gratitude tree with bare branches, try the easy thankful tree ideas below:
  • Tabletop Tree with Lights
  • Black Artificial Tree Centerpiece
  • Rustic Black Ornament Tree
  • Large Black Family Tree Wall Decal
  • Big Brown Tree Wall Decal
  • Family Tree 3D Wall Decor with Picture Frames
  • Woodland Bulletin Board Set – Tree with Animals

1c. Best Thankful Tree Craft Kits for Thanksgiving:

• If you’re not up to the task of making a thankful tree craft for Thanksgiving, there are several fun and easy thankful tree kits you can purchase.
• A few of these Thanksgiving tree ideas come complete with everything you need, while others use grateful tree ornaments you can make or buy separately.
• Here are a few thankful tree craft kit options to consider:
  • Thanksgiving Tree Bulletin Board Set
  • Easy Thanksgiving Thankful Craft Kit
  • Small Felt Thanksgiving Tree of Thanks Craft Kit
  • Large Felt Thankful Tree with Detachable Leaves Craft Kit
  • Standing Tree of Thanks Craft Kit
  • Thanksgiving Tree Craft Kit

2. Create a Thankful Display in a Central Location:

• Place the gratitude or thankful tree in a central location.
• Depending on the size and design of your gratitude tree, you may need a door, wall space, bulletin board, container, vase, or display stand to hang the tree or hold it and keep it stable.
• For example, if you use bare branches, you will need a vase or another container with filler, such as sand, pebbles, or glass gems, to hold the tree limbs in place, provide stability, and prevent the tree from falling or tipping over.
• In contrast, using a tree decal or craft kit will require a space large enough to hang it, such as a door, wall space, or a bulletin board, rather than a container.
• If you choose to use a premade lit or unlit tree, placing the gratitude tree on a table, shelf, dresser top, window sill, or display stand may be your preferred option.

3. Add Leaves or other Gratitude Ornaments:

• While paper leaves are the most common item to place on a gratitude tree, you can use several other variations of decorative leaves and ornaments.
  • Paper leaves can be laminated, allowing them to be reused with dry-erase or wet-erase markers if desired.
• Place the leaves or other ornaments at the base of the tree to make it easy for people to write what they are grateful for on them, and then add the leaf or other ornament to the decoration.
  • This can be done in one day or over the course of several days or weeks.
  • Encourage children, family, and friends to write down things they are grateful for on each leaf, gratitude note, or ornament.
  • These can be specific people, experiences, objects, qualities, or anything that brings them joy and appreciation.
  • Try these gratitude prompts if you need help writing words of gratitude on your leaves.
• Here are a few options you can use as ornaments:

3a. Thanksgiving Tree Ornament Ideas:

• Decorate your Thanksgiving Tree with any of these easy ornament ideas. Please choose at least one of the following for your thankful tree:
  • Clay Gratitude Leaves Craft
  • Preserved Fall Leaves
  • DIY Paper Leaves: Trace a leaf-shaped cookie cutter, and use scissors to cut leaf shapes from colored cardstock or construction paper.
  • Alternatively, you can purchase pre-cut paper leaves. (Some of the Thanksgiving tree craft kits on the list above come with pre-cut leaves.) Or choose from the paper leaves and thankful tree ornaments below:
    • Scratch-art fall thankful leaf ornaments.
    • Paper fall leaf ornaments
    • Fall leaf gift tags with string
    • Paper maple leaf ornaments and gift tags
    • Fall Leaf sticky notes
    • Colorful sticky note leaves
    • Wood slice ornaments

4. (Optional) Add Other Gratitude Tree Decorations:

• While gratitude leaves and other thankful ornaments are the primary items on a gratitude tree, you can use many different items to decorate them further if desired.
• A string of twinkle lights, autumn-themed ribbons tied to branches, colorful pom-poms (as shown on this thankful tree), acorn marble ornaments, and other thankful ornaments can help your Thanksgiving tree stand out and look even more visually appealing.
• For another example, the turkey leaf lanterns (shown in the photograph below) look great on display next to a Thanksgiving tree. Discover how to create a DIY thankful tree with the fun Thanksgiving ideas and examples listed below.

6. Provide Markers, Pens, or other Writing Instruments:

• Place markers, pens, or other writing instruments near the tree for people to use to write what they are grateful for onto each leaf before hanging them.
• Choose at least one of the following writing tools:
  • Markers
  • Paint pens (multi-color pack)
  • Gold and silver paint pens
  • White and black paint pens.
  • Gel pens
  • Colored pencils
  • Crayons
  • Chalk markers
  • Wet-erase markers are great for plastic or laminated leaves because the ink won’t rub off, and can be easily rinsed away with water.
• Choose complementary, contrasting, or metallic colors to make the Thanksgiving tree visually appealing.

7. Adhesive to attach ornaments, or string to hang them:

• Ensure you also provide a way for family, friends, students, co-workers, or dinner guests to attach the gratitude leaves and ornaments to the thankful tree.
• Place these tools near the tree in baskets, jars, or other containers to make them easily accessible for participants.
• Depending on the type of tree you are using, tape, double-sided glue tape, a glue stick, push pins, clips, ribbon, yarn, twine, or fishing string are simple ways to attach or hang the leaves and other gratitude ornaments to the tree’s branches.
• Of course, adhesives like tape, glue, or push pins are best for paper, wall, and bulletin board trees, while ribbon, twine, or string are best for trees made with bare branches or small decorative trees.
• You may also need a single-hole punch to create a hole at the tip or base of each leaf (depending on how you want the leaves to hang).
  • This will make it easy to thread a loop of string through the hole to turn paper leaves into ornaments that you can hang on the gratitude tree.
  • If desired, tie a loop of string or ribbon to the ornaments before placing them in a basket near a tree made with bare branches, making it easy for guests to hang them after they write what they are thankful for on the leaf.

BEST THANKSGIVING TREE IDEAS:

There are several ways to design and use a Thanksgiving thankful tree craft. Here are a few of my favorite examples, from creative and crafty autumn tree DIY decor projects to simple kid-made fall tree crafts. You can even make a Thanksgiving thankful tree with real fall leaves. Try this interactive Thanksgiving tradition with the creative Thanksgiving decor ideas listed below.

1. Thanksgiving Tree with Clay Gratitude Leaves:

This DIY thankful tree is easy to make with bare branches and marbled clay gratitude leaves for expressing words of thanks and appreciation. You can also use these same thankful leaves to make a gratitude mobile instead of a Thanksgiving Tree. Creating and decorating a Thanksgiving tree with hand-stamped marbled clay autumn leaves is a gratitude craft and activity that kids and adults can enjoy together. Get the directions for this Thanksgiving DIY here: Thankful Tree with Clay Gratitude Leaves.

2. Thankful Trees Made with Real Fall Leaves:

This Thanksgiving tree has real preserved fall leaves. Making a thankful tree with real autumn leaves is a gratitude craft and activity that kids and adults enjoy. Paint pens make it easy to write what you are grateful for on each preserved leaf before attaching it to your thankful tree. Please invite friends and family to write what they are most grateful for on preserved fall leaves and then attach them to the autumn tree craft to decorate it. Alternatively, you can make this Thanksgiving tree with paper leaves. Look at the step-by-step instructions to make a Thanksgiving tree like the one in the photograph below HERE–> How to Make a Thankful Tree with Real Leaves.

3. Printable Gratitude or Thankful Tree for Kids and Adults:

Each of these easy Thanksgiving crafts provides a ready-made template that makes it easy for both kids and adults to express gratitude. Choose between two printable options: a thankful tree with the word “Thankful” printed underneath the tree, or a gratitude tree with the word “Grateful‘ printed underneath it. Best of all, each printable Thanksgiving tree includes two printable trees for the price of one–one is in full color, while the other is a coloring page.

Use your favorite, printable gratitude craft option to easily create a grateful tree or a thankful tree in your home, classroom, or office. Invite each student, coworker, or family member to create their own gratitude tree, or use these ready-made printable templates to make a Thankful Tree as a family, group, or class. You might also like this printable Thankful Turkey Coloring Page or these I am Thankful for Thanksgiving Placemats to color.

If you’re feeling crafty, make these cute homemade magnets to display the thankful tree on the fridge. Alternatively, you can put it in an art storage picture frame or pin it to a bulletin board to create a thankful home decor display that everyone in the home, classroom, or workplace can be proud of. Get both printables HERE–> Thankful Tree Printable.

4. Thankful Tree with Wood Slice Ornaments:

Display simple reminders to cultivate a thankful heart with a thankful tree made with wood slice ornaments. Watching family and friends give thanks and count the many ways they are blessed with this simple DIY fall tree decor is a Thanksgiving activity not to be missed. This gorgeous thankful tree craft is made with bare branches and wood pieces painted with chalkboard paint.

Place a set of chalk markers near this thankful display to encourage family and friends to write their thankful thoughts on the wood slice ornaments, then use them to decorate the tree. This is a lovely gratitude tree for adults and their children. Learn how to make this thankful tree with wooden chalkboard tags, as shown in the photograph below, with the step-by-step instructions here: Create-ful-life.

5. Thanksgiving Tree Printable Leaves:

Create an interactive centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table this year. Create a Thanksgiving thankful Tree with an assortment of paper leaves printed, trimmed, and ready for your guests to share their gratitude with this simple Thanksgiving DIY. This gratitude tree activity idea uses willow branches painted gold and a free printable leaf pattern.

You can also use this tabletop tree display to create this grateful fall home decor project. Once guests have added their sentiments, ask them to tie their paper thankful leaves onto the branches of the centerpiece. Get the printable leaf pattern in the photograph below for this creative Thanksgiving tree project HERE–> Lia Griffith.

6. Thanksgiving Tree with Willow Branches and Paper Leaves:

This gratitude tree example invites family and friends to give thanks in a new way this holiday season. Invite friends, co-workers, and relatives to share what they’re most thankful for by creating this lovely thankful tree for Thanksgiving. This simple thankful tree is made with paper leaves and willow branches. Find the complete directions for this stunning fall home decor filled with gratitude HERE–> HGTV.

7.  DIY Thankful Tree with Lights:

First, put bare branches with lights in a simple vase or an extra-large mason jar. Or use a tabletop tree with lights to make this easy Thanksgiving tree. Next, make paper maple leaves with colorful cardstock and a large leaf paper punch, or purchase pre-cut fall leaf ornaments to decorate this gorgeous Thanksgiving Tree. Add this festive gratitude tree idea to your DIY fall decor. Get the complete instructions to make the lovely gratitude tree in the photograph below HERE–>The Happy Housewife.

8. Paper Thanksgiving Thankful Tree Craft:

Here’s a thankful tree that uses recycled brown craft paper to make the tree and paper maple leaves. Another fun idea is to use a Thanksgiving tree craft kit! Spend Thanksgiving morning writing things you are thankful for on simple leaves and other fall shapes. Or turn it into a month-long tradition. Instead of listing what you are grateful for all at once–add them to our tree all month long! Learn how to make this Thanksgiving tree craft HERE–> One Creative Mommy.

9. Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree With Acorn Favors:

This Thanksgiving tree has bare branches decorated with paper leaves and acorn favors. You can also make acorn marble ornaments to hang on this gorgeous fall tree craft instead! This simple thankful tree with acorns is a lovely way to display what you’re grateful for while creating a beautiful seasonal display.

Invite family and dinner guests to write something they’re thankful for on each leaf. This is an excellent gratitude activity idea for a Thanksgiving gathering. Get the complete step-by-step tutorial HERE–> The House that Lars Built. Use the acorn craft suggested, or make colorful, homemade acorn marble ornaments to decorate your DIY thankful tree craft instead!

10. Chalkboard Thankful Tree Craft:

Here’s another fantastic gratitude tree for adults or kids. Learn how to make a thankful tree on a chalkboard with gorgeous watercolor autumn leaves to display in your home or office this Thanksgiving. Use this autumn tree craft to create a simple visual reminder of all the positive things your family, students, or co-workers have in their lives for which to be thankful. Get the step-by-step instructions for this beautiful Thanksgiving DIY HERE–> Make Life Lovely.

11. November Bulletin Board Thankful Tree for Kids:

Here’s a thankful tree for Thanksgiving, made of brown kraft paper for the tree and laminated construction paper for the leaves. It’s the perfect Thanksgiving tree for families or classrooms with young children, such as preschoolers or toddlers. You will notice that the ornaments on this thankful tree activity idea do not pose a choking hazard for babies, toddlers, and young children, unlike some of the other DIY fall tree decor ideas above.

Use this bulletin board set or a large tree wall decal with leaf-shaped sticky notes to make this Thanksgiving tree. If you choose the latter option, the sticky note leaves can be easily removed after Thanksgiving. Starting on November 1, or any time thereafter, ask your children what they are thankful for each day and then write it on a leaf. Next, place the leaf on the branches at the top of the fall tree craft during the entire month of November until it is fully decorated with messages of gratitude. At the end of the month, you’ll have a tree full of thankful thoughts! Get the full instructions for this Thanksgiving tree HERE–> Simply Rebekah.

Alternatively, you can hang a pre-made thankful tree craft kit on a wall or a bulletin board. Please look at the recommendations at the beginning of the post.

12. Handprint Thankful Tree for Thanksgiving | Our Goodwin Journey:

Here’s an excellent idea for a baby or toddler’s first gratitude tree, perfect for parents who want to try this new family tradition. This simple DIY Thanksgiving tree, ideal for a wall or bulletin board, utilizes construction paper to create a quick and easy display of gratitude. Use the step-by-step instructions below to create a handprint gratitude tree:

1. Tape or pin several pieces of construction paper end to end from the ground up on a wall, door, or bulletin board as shown in the photo below.
2. Then, trace handprints to make gratitude leaves.
3. Next, write what you, your children, or students are grateful for onto the handprint.
4. Finally, tape or pin each handprint gratitude leaf above the brown construction paper tree trunk to decorate it as shown in the photo below.

You can also use a bulletin board set or this tree with animals to make your Thanksgiving tree, and then make thankful handprint leaves with construction paper to add to it. The instructions for this fun Thanksgiving tree idea by Our Goodwin Journey are no longer available online; however, you can use the instructions above, along with the photo below, to recreate it.

Related: Fall Leaf Art with Free Printable Templates

Give Thanks this Thanksgiving with the Thankful Tree Tradition

Try this new Thanksgiving tradition at home, in the office, or in the classroom this year with the fantastic Thankstiving thankful tree activity ideas here. There is so much to be grateful for, and writing it down and looking at it every day makes it that much more real. Not to mention the gorgeous look these interactive centerpieces bring to your fall decor at home, in the classroom, or at work. Remind your family, friends, and co-workers about the true meaning of Thanksgiving with a thankful tree.

Creating a thankful tree to use as a Thanksgiving advent or Centerpiece for your guests to decorate is a beautiful way to bring the spirit of Thanksgiving into your home, office, or classroom. They are also an excellent addition to a fall nature table. Use these easy Thanksgiving tree ideas to inspire your own tradition of a thankful tree.

Keep your leaves from each year to look back at different years and remember what you and your family were grateful for in years gone by. As mentioned above, you may also enjoy this printable gratitude worksheet, this thankful turkey printable, or these thankful turkey placemats for kids and adults. For even more Thanksgiving ideas, look at this list of 20 Thanksgiving traditions and fun things to do for Thanksgiving!

Related: Four Seasons Handprint and Fingerprint Tree

How to Use a Thankful Tree as a Thanksgiving Countdown:

If you would like to use your thankful tree to count down to Thanksgiving or use it as an Advent in your home, classroom, or workplace, follow the steps below:

1. Decide what Thanksgiving tree you will make or buy from the list of thankful tree ideas above.
2. Put your tree up before Thanksgiving.
3. After the Fall Equinox, if you live in Canada, or during November, if you live in the US, write what you are most thankful for onto one gratitude ornament per day until Thanksgiving, and hang it on your thankful tree.
4. Invite your family, friends, co-workers, or students to join you in this gratitude activity. If you have toddlers and preschoolers who cannot write yet, ask them what they are thankful for every day, and write the words they say onto a leaf or an ornament for each of them. Another idea for toddlers and preschoolers is to invite them to doodle their thanks on an ornament.
5. Place the leaf or gratitude ornament on the branches at the top of the tree. At the end of the month, you’ll have a tree full of thankful thoughts!

Related: Gratitude Books for Children that Inspire Thankfulness

How to Use a Thankful Tree As an Interactive Thanksgiving Centerpiece:

Make and decorate a thankful tree to cultivate gratitude and nurture a sense of appreciation at the Thanksgiving dinner table. A gratitude tree is a great conversation starter and a fun way to honor the true spirit of Thanksgiving. Use it to express gratitude for an abundant harvest and all the blessings of life! Follow the step-by-step instructions below:

1. Determine which type of tree you will make or buy from the list of Thanksgiving tree ideas above.
2. Put your thankful tree up before Thanksgiving dinner.
3. Invite family and Thanksgiving dinner guests to write what they are most grateful for on thankful ornaments made from paper, preserved leaves, or clay.
4. Decorate the thankful tree with their gratitude leaves as they wait for Thanksgiving dinner.

Related: Fall Books for Children

Thanksgiving Thankful Tree Tradition:

A thankful tree is a meaningful Thanksgiving tradition that children and adults incorporate into their holiday celebrations to nurture an attitude of gratitude at home, in the classroom, or in the workplace. Creating and decorating a gratitude tree is a fun tradition for the Thanksgiving season that all ages can enjoy. It is a beautiful way to count down to the Thanksgiving holiday and express gratitude during the darker half of the year.

With these fall tree craft ideas, you can create a gorgeous interactive centerpiece for children and adults at home, in the classroom, in the workplace, or at the Thanksgiving dinner table. You may also enjoy these fall activities with a printable bucket list and these gratitude activities. Happy Thanksgiving!

Learn more about Nell Regan Kartychok, author of these DIY thankful tree ideas HERE, and Rhythms of Play HERE!

More DIY Bare Branch DIY Tree Decor Ideas:

Making and decorating seasonal trees is a fun fall activity the whole family can enjoy together. My daughter loves to decorate trees, so we make one every season. Our family also creates a DIY Easter tree in the spring, a butterfly tree in the summer, a thankful tree in the fall, and a Christmas tree in the winter, all filled with handmade ornaments.

More Fun Thanksgiving Activity Ideas:

• Turkey Leaf Lanterns
• Thankful for Thanksgiving Placemats to Color
• 40 Thanksgiving Gratitude Activities and Crafts
• Pumpkin Cranberry Bread
• I am Grateful Gratitude Journal Printable
• Gratitude Journal Prompts Printable
• Thanksgiving Gratitude Activities
• Turkey Craft Ideas
• Thanksgiving Traditions and Fun Things to Do
• Thankful Turkey Printable Thanksgiving Gratitude Activity