Gratitude isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we live and practice! One of the best ways to cultivate a thankful heart, especially with our kids, is by slowing down and noticing the blessings in our lives. A gratitude photo collage is a fantastic way to turn those blessings into a meaningful, visual project.
I’ve found that projects like this – purposeful projects – do a lot to help our kids learn abstract concepts. Plus, they’re a ton of fun!
This activity can be done by the whole family, or in a homeschool co-op setting with a group of families. Something I love about the gratitude photo collage is that it’s easy to modify for different age groups—whether you have little ones, middle schoolers, or teens. Grab a camera or phone, and let’s get started!
Why a Gratitude Photo Collage?
In a world where we’re constantly on the go, it can be easy to overlook the little (and big) things that make life beautiful. By focusing on gratitude, we teach our children to see beyond the distractions and recognize the gifts around them, no matter how simple or ordinary.
The act of creating a photo collage helps kids engage their minds and their hearts, sparking creativity while giving them a way to express their thankfulness in a tangible form. And the bonus? You’ll create a keepsake that reminds your family of the many things you are grateful for!
How to Create a Gratitude Photo Collage
Step 1: Talk About Gratitude
Gratitude is one of those words that we hear a lot, but we don’t always define. We just sort of assume that our kids understand what the word means – and they might, on a surface level. That’s why I love this activity – it can do so much to make them stop and think about it while having fun and being creative!
Before you begin snapping photos, gather the family and talk about what it means to be thankful. This is a great time to reflect on blessings, both big and small. Use this opportunity to explain that sometimes we take everyday things for granted, but they’re worth celebrating!
Discussion Questions (for all ages):
- What are some things you are thankful for right now?
- How can we show gratitude for the small things in life, like sunshine or a kind word?
- Can you think of something that makes your life better, but that you don’t often stop to notice?
Step 2: Take Your Photos
Give each child a disposable camera (or let them take turns using a phone) and set them loose to find things that they are thankful for! The beauty of this activity is that there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Encourage your kids to snap photos of anything that makes them smile, feel safe, or feel blessed.
Modifications for Different Ages:
Younger Kids (Pre-K to Early Elementary):
Focus: Keep it simple! Younger kids might need help thinking through ideas, so ask prompting questions like, “What’s your favorite toy?” or “What do you like about our home?”
Photo Ideas: Their favorite stuffed animal, a family member, their pet, a favorite snack, a cozy blanket.
Modification: If taking photos is too tricky for little ones, let them “pose” with the things they’re thankful for while you take the photos.
Older Kids (Upper Elementary to Middle School):
Focus: Encourage them to explore gratitude more deeply. Ask, “What’s something that makes you smile?” or “What’s something you enjoy but don’t think about much?”
Photo Ideas: Nature shots, books they love, friends, sports equipment, their favorite spot in the house.
Modification: Let them experiment with angles, lighting, and artistic shots. They can take more ownership over the creative aspect of their collage.
Teens:
Focus: Help them think more abstractly about gratitude. Ask questions like, “What are you grateful for that helps you grow?” or “How can you capture a feeling of gratitude in a photo?”
Photo Ideas: Inspirational quotes, self-portraits with something meaningful, places that represent freedom or joy, symbols of growth (like a school project or instrument).
Modification: Teens can also edit their photos to add captions or quotes, or use digital tools to create an online collage.
Step 3: Create the Gratitude Photo Collage
Once everyone has their photos, it’s time to pull them together into a collage. Here are a few ways to display your family’s gratitude:
- For Younger Kids: Print out their photos and let them glue them onto a poster board. You can help them add labels or captions like “I’m thankful for…” or “This makes me happy because….”
- For Older Kids and Teens: Older kids might want to create a digital collage using free online tools like Canva or even put together a simple scrapbook with printed photos.
- For the Whole Family: Combine everyone’s photos into one large collage that you can hang on the wall. You could even make it part of your Thankful Tree or display it somewhere visible throughout the holiday season.
Step 4: Reflect and Discuss
Once your kids’ collages are complete, spend some time as a family reflecting on the process. Ask each child to share about their photos and why they chose them. This can open up great conversations about gratitude and help everyone appreciate the blessings they might have missed.
Family Discussion Points:
- What surprised you during this activity? Did you realize you were thankful for something that you hadn’t noticed before?
- How does it feel to look at your collage and see all the things you’re grateful for?
- How can we keep an attitude of gratitude, even on hard days?
- What’s one thing you can do this week to show gratitude for the things in your collage?
Gratitude Photo Collage Variations for Groups or Co-Ops
If you’re doing this activity in a group setting with a co-op or several families, it can be a fun way for kids to see what others are grateful for & show your gratitude activities.
Group Photo Display: Each family can create their own collage and bring it to display in a shared space. This can create a Gratitude Wall where everyone can see the collective blessings of the group.
Photo Sharing: Encourage kids to share some of their favorite photos with the group. They can explain why they chose certain objects or moments, which helps build a sense of community and appreciation.
Collaborative Collage: For a large group, consider making one giant collage where every child contributes a few photos. It could represent the collective gratitude of the entire co-op or group.
Keeping Gratitude Alive
The beauty of this activity is that it doesn’t have to end when the collage is complete. Here are a few ways to extend the spirit of thankfulness in your home:
Gratitude Journal: Encourage each child to write about the things in their collage and add new things they’re thankful for each week.
Monthly or Quarterly Update: Continue the activity by updating your photo collage each month with new things your family is grateful for.
Digital Photo Frame: Consider turning your collage into a slideshow on a digital photo frame, so the images rotate and keep gratitude front and center in your home.
Gratitude Bible Study: Did you know that “gratitude”, “thankfulness”, and “thanks” are mentioned hundreds of times in the Bible? It’s true! If you would like a jumping off point, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 is a good one – it talks about how to be grateful at all times, even when times are tough.
Creating a gratitude photo collage is more than just a fun art project. It’s a meaningful way to practice gratitude as a family, to pause and reflect on the blessings that fill your everyday life, and to foster thankfulness in both big and small things. Whether you’re taking photos of loved ones, favorite objects, or simple moments, this activity will help your family embrace gratitude in a creative, hands-on way.
The best part? You’ll have a visual reminder of God’s goodness to reflect on, not just during the holiday season, but all year long!
Free Gratitude Challenge
To help you out, I’ve created a simple 30 Day Gratitude Challenge Printable. Each person in your family should have their own printable. At dinner time or bedtime, let your kids write what they are thankful for that day. There is enough space on the printable to let your kids write what they are thankful for that day.
Hey, I’m Jen! I’m the voice behind Life Beyond the Lesson Plan. I’m a wife, semi-retired homeschool mom, and curriculum developer. For many years, my life sort of revolved around my lesson plan. When my son graduated high school, I found I didn’t know what to do with the next phase of my life! That’s when I realized that there is actually…well, life beyond the lesson plan. Now, my passion is developing resources to help you in all the areas of your homeschooling life! Follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
