Decorative Jar of Thanks Craft Activity for Kids

Need easy Thanksgiving craft ideas for kids?

Try a DIY gratitude jar!

Gratitude mason jars are great Thanksgiving craft ideas for several reasons:

  • Gratitude jars are simple and easy to make (perfect even for small children!)
  • Gratitude jars give kids a fun, hands-on way to learn about true thankfulness
  • DIY Gratitude jars are easy enough for kids to make, yet result in beautiful décor that will look great on your Thanksgiving table (especially if you use my handy printable gratitude jar label and leaves printable!)

Thanksgiving craft ideas & activity for kids - Gratitude jar or decorative jar with free printables

Get easy gratitude jar instructions (plus a free printable PDF!)

I’m Sarah from BibleBaton.com, and I help Christian women teach the Bible to kids using creative lesson plans, simple crafts, and unique activities. Today, I’m sharing instructions for an easy DIY gratitude jar that you can make together with your kids this Thanksgiving!

In this post you will learn how to make a simple gratitude jar for Thanksgiving with your kids. You’ll also discover how to use this fun Thanksgiving craft idea to help your kids practice thankfulness. And you’ll receive a free printable gratitude jar template as well.

So let’s get started!

Thanksgiving craft ideas & activity for kids - Gratitude jar or decorative jar with free printables

DIY gratitude jar Thanksgiving craft instructions

Here’s how to make your own gratitude mason jar craft for Thanksgiving!

Supplies Needed:

  • Mason jar with lid and ring
  • Wide burlap ribbon
  • Rubber band
  • Thin colored ribbon
  • Label (included in the gratitude jar PDF)
  • Paper leaves (included in the gratitude jar PDF)
  • Cardstock
  • Scissors
  • Hole punch
  • Markers
  • Pine cones, acorns, etc. (optional)

Step 1: Wrap the burlap ribbon around the gratitude jar

Measure around the width of the mason jar. You will need that much of the burlap ribbon, plus a couple of inches to overlap.

Measure and cut the burlap ribbon. Wrap the burlap around the mason jar. Slide the rubber band around the middle of the burlap, to secure it around the jar.

Step 2: Prepare the gratitude jar label

Download your free gratitude jar PDF file. Print the gratitude jar label on white or light-colored cardstock.

Use scissors to cut out the label from the free gratitude jar printable. Use the hole punch to make a small hole in the corner of the label.

Step 3: Tie the gratitude jar label to the jar

Cut a length from the thin colored ribbon. You can use the measurement you took in Step 1; just be sure to add several inches so that you can tie this ribbon in a bow.

Thread one end of the ribbon through the hole in the label. Now wrap the ribbon around the gratitude jar, directly over the rubber band so it is hidden from sight. Tie the ribbon in a bow at the front of the jar.

Step 4: Prepare the leaves

Print the leaf patterns from the gratitude jar PDF on orange, yellow, red, and brown cardstock. Use scissors to cut the leaves from the cardstock.

Step 5: Practice thankfulness to complete your DIY gratitude jar!

Now encourage your kids to think of all the things that they are thankful for. Use markers to write each idea down on a separate leaf.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the topic of thankfulness, take a look at this free “Give Thanks” Bible lesson plan for kids. It even includes a fun activity!

After writing the things you are thankful for, you may want to wrinkle the leaves just a bit (to give them more texture). This step is optional, though.

Begin to place the leaves one by one in the jar. If desired, add pine cones, acorns, or other traditional fall items as well. As you place the leaves in the jar, review the many reasons you have to be grateful to the Lord.

30 Days of 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.

Younger kids can use the printable with prompts for each day. Even preschoolers can take on the challenge with the thank you prompts on the printable. Actually, I’m sending a copy to my daughter who has a 3-year old. The prompts are a simple way to stay focused on thankfulness all of November.

For, older kids and parents, I suggest writing at least 3 things you are thankful for each day. Once you sign up, you’ll receive an email with specific ideas for older kids.

Be sure to check back here (or sign up for our email updatesat the top of this post) throughout November for lots of great ideas to help you teach gratitude to your kids. For now, take the 30 Day Gratitude Challenge and get your free printables below.


Sarah at BibleBatonMeet Sarah from BibleBaton.com!

Sarah is a certified Montessori teacher with a Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies, plus over 10 years of experience working with kids. She’s passionate about helping Christian women teach the Bible to kids! And she loves sharing creative lesson plans, simple crafts and unique activities, and practical teaching tips with her blog readers. Pop over now to grab your free Bible printables!

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