A group of wild individuals approaches the President of the United States on the lawn of the White House. Each November, per national tradition, a group of unlucky individuals face an uncertain fate. Will they live to see another day?    

The President smiles and grants a full pardon to the group standing before him. He releases them to live happy lives of walking through fields, enjoying the sunshine, and eating bugs. Oh, I forgot to mention that these are… turkeys. 

Once the President declares the pardon, the turkeys walk away without making eye contact and gobble along until they reach their new home. Kinda cute, right? 

Well, for turkeys, at least. But when it comes to people, a simple “thank you” would be expected. Turkeys can’t learn gratitude or thankfulness, and neither can we unless someone teaches us. As parents, we must instill these values in our children and encourage them to receive everything they’re given with gratitude and thankfulness.

Teaching Thankfulness to Kids

Remember that kids are naturally self-focused in these earlier stages of development. Gratitude doesn’t come naturally; we have to learn it. As parents, we play a vital role in helping our kids develop these traits. The cool thing is that you don’t need a big budget or fancy curriculum to teach gratitude. Here are four tips on how you can help your kids learn gratitude.

Model It

If we’re honest, many of us struggle with this, yet one of the best and easiest ways to teach thankfulness is by modeling it ourselves. Our kids learn so much by simply listening and watching us, so let’s use that to our advantage to equip them to become young people of character capable of making the world a better place. 

Express It

Be open and honest. Take time every day to say “thank you” to your kids, spouse/partner, friends, and others. Include why you are saying thank you. This lets others know how they have helped you and how much it means to you. Talking about it like this is especially helpful in establishing positive behaviors in kids. 

Another way to express it is by having transformative conversations. These questions get us thinking about the topic more deeply and help us connect with each other. 

1. Ask questions: How do we notice things we should be grateful for? How do these things make us feel? What are some ways we could show thankfulness to someone? In what ways do you like to be thanked? What does gratitude look like to you? Are there different ways to express them? 

Stick with It

Be like glue! Make gratitude stick to you. There are three rules to follow to accomplish this. 

1. Be Intentional. All of these tips require us to be on top of it. 
2. Keep it Simple. The more steps and grandiose this process becomes, the harder it will be to maintain. Consistency is key, and simplicity is essential.
3. Make it a routine. Challenge yourself to express or model these traits every day. Gratitude is a habit worth developing. It may feel odd at first, but the more often you intentionally practice gratitude, the easier it’ll be. 

Just like glue, gratitude is sticky. It’s contagious. Once one person begins, it catches to all those around them. 

Have Fun with Teaching Thankfulness to Kids!

Engaging in meaningful play is one of the fastest ways to master something new. Consider playing games or crafting things like a gratitude jar or a collage to get your kids engaged in learning about gratitude in addition to conversations. 

While the mascots of Thanksgiving aren’t able to gobble a “thank you,” we can instill gratitude in our kids every day of the year. We can consistently model and express it in fun ways. Even though our mission is to help our kids become thankful, we may discover that we become better people along this journey. 

November is here, and it’s time to make this season extra special for your child with non-traditional family activities. Don’t settle for the same old ideas; try something new and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Are you searching every corner of the internet, including Pinterest, in hopes of finding fresh family activities? It can be frustrating when every blog suggests the same things repeatedly. You want your kids to be excited and entertained, and the best way to achieve that is by trying something different! At GameTruck, we understand your desire, so we’ve compiled an excellent list of non-traditional ways to create fun memories with your family this season. Let’s explore these unique ideas!

1. Embrace National Cinnamon Day

Cooking with your kids is an excellent way to build new memories and teach them life skills, so find your favorite recipe for a dish with cinnamon to celebrate National Cinnamon Day.

You could also visit a bakery to support local businesses and order your favorite cinnamon treats there! 

2. National Family Literacy Day: Unleash Your Family’s Creative Storytelling

Did you know that every November, novelists from around the world challenge themselves by seeing how much they can write in one month? Why not join them in creating your own family novel that features your family members? 

Believe it or not, this is how some famous novels, like Swiss Family Robinson, came to be. Every night the Dad would tell his three sons a story that alternated the boys as the main character for that tale. After the boys fell asleep, the father would write down that night’s adventure, and these became his chapters, with the illustrations done by his sons. 

From world-building to character development to illustrating, this idea is free and challenges kids to get creative using their imagination. So whether your child wants to be a young wizard, a flying superhero, or simply themselves, they can star in the book your family creates. Who knows, maybe it’ll become the next bestseller or your new favorite memory. 

3. Craft Scented Candles: Aromatic Creations for Family Fun Night

Want an affordable Family Fun Night? Try making your own candles! Amazon and other crafting stores offer great kits with many options that include everything you need to make your own candles. You’ll have a beautiful-smelling home and plenty of social media-worthy pictures to share with friends and family. 

4. Laser Tag Fall Party: Action-Packed Adventure for Kids and Adults

Blast away boredom with laser tag! From capture the flag to the last man standing, your kids and their friends will have a fantastic time while you (and maybe some friends) can get a much-needed break. Call your local GameTruck today! 

Consider hosting a Laser Tag party at Dusk or Night for an even more fun and unique idea. Kids love staying up late and will tire themselves out for bedtime, all while creating lifelong memories with their friends. 

5. Book a GameTruck Party for a Memorable Experience

Invite your local GameTruck to entertain your family in a way they’ll never forget this season! No matter what the weather is like outside, GameTrucks are always the perfect temperature inside. With hundreds of games to choose from, classics and new releases, your family will love connecting and creating new memories over their favorite games. Call your local GameTruck today to book your fall party! 

Swap out the boring, run-of-the-mill ideas for something new this year! Your family might discover a new passion that helps bring everyone closer together because family and positive connections are what this season is truly about. 

Looking for more Non-Traditional Family Activities for November? Explore our article on 8 Fun Fall Activities for the Whole Family to keep the excitement going!