Thanksgiving Thankful Activities

Now that our kids are nearing the teenage years I wanted to make them more aware of the Thanksgiving time of year and why we should be thankful for what we have leading up to the holiday season. So for the entire month of November as a family we are doing a family Thanksgiving thankful activities. Each day we will write down what we are thankful for on a paper leaf and attach it to a board. And these are going to be displayed so they are easy to see. I am calling it our Thankful Project. My hope is that this becomes a new family tradition and a great way to express gratitude.

A grey frame with orange and yellow leaves and a thankful sign at the top

Post update: This project was originally completed back in 2017 but I decided to re-publish as I have created a newer board for our family to use and it is one that is a little easier to complete than the frame from the thrift store. Follow below for the step-by-step instructions.

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To start I wanted to make the board that all of our leaves would be displayed on each day. This would be an easy way for all family members to have a daily reminder of the activity but also a meaningful way to have our gratitudes written down.

Supplies Needed for Family Thanksgiving Thankful Activities

Thrift store frame or this open back frame from Michaels
Foam board for open back frame
Lace Doily-from my Grandma or any type of fabric
Cricut machine
Kraft cardstock for the leaves
Beaded Garland or twine or yarn
Clothespins
Staple Gun
Spray Adhesive

Step 1:

Frame before taking backing and staples out

I found a professionally framed picture (23″x26″) at Goodwill for $7.99 (a steal!). I removed the paper backing, staples, mat and picture and was left with the frame which was the whole reason I bought it. I was lucky enough to find a frame that I liked and wouldn’t have to re-paint.

If you don’t have a thrift store frame you can find an unfinished open back frame at Michael’s which I have linked above. If you do end up getting the frame from Michael’s you will also need to get the foam board that will fit in the frame.

Step 2:

The Cricut machine is a great tool for cutting anything you can think of

I used my Cricut machine and cut out the paper leaves for the 30 days of November. I had decided for this newer board that I made to use several different shades of orange and yellow to better represent Fall colors.

I had previously found some beaded garland from Joann’s that had no intended use but now came in handy for this project as my hanging line for the leaves. I used a staple gun to attach the garland to the frame. If you are using twine, yarn or other string then I would suggest using hot glue on the back.

I then realized I didn’t like the way the frame looked with no backing to it. So I re-used the original backing that came with the picture but it was too stark white. And then I remembered that when we had cleaned out my Grandma’s house I found a rectangular lace doily. So I decided to upcycle this as the background. It covered the backing perfectly so I took some spray adhesive and applied it to the backing.

I love it, it breaks up the background and adds texture but is not too distracting.

A close up of orange and yellow cut leaves held by clothespins

For the newer updated board I used a piece of scrap fabric in a neutral color and attached it with spray adhesive and also used yarn in the updated board.

On the new frame the foam board with the fabric fit perfectly in the frame but I needed a way to keep it in the frame so I used painter’s tape to secure it to the back. It was light enough that it didn’t need anything heavier than this tape.

Lace doily used as a backing for a giving thanks board

A close up of the back of a frame with tape keeping the foam board in the frame

Step 3:

A giving thanks board to write down what we are thankful for each day of November

Each of the leaves is held by small clothespins and ready for us to write what we are thankful for each day. Every day of November we will be doing the grateful/thankful challenge. I will write down what each person is thankful for and display them on the board and then collect these at the end of the month and save them for years to come. I love that this activity is one that the whole family can engage in. My plan is to make different leaf shape cut-outs each year so that we can have a new set of leaves every year to look back on.

A close up of a pile of cut out colorful paper leaves with the year 2020 marked on top wrapped with a rubber band

On Thanksgiving day it would be fun for the entire family to review all the good things the family members have been thankful for over the month. I think it is great activity for everyone’s mental health to have a sense of gratitude around the dinner table and what better time to do this than at a Thanksgiving gathering.

A couple years ago I completed this exact Thanksgiving activity but instead of a frame I used a wreath frame, you can find that tutorial HERE.

I would love to know if you complete this family Thanksgiving thankful activites in your own house for the season and develop a new thanksgiving tradition for your family. Drop a comment below and let me know!

Thanksgiving Thankful Activities