Gratitude is an important part of growing up. Instilling a sense of appreciation, and positive thinking and encouraging gratitude in our children can go a long way toward helping them grow into kind, thoughtful individuals with strong emotional intelligence.
One great way to teach gratitude to your kids is to recognize the good things in their lives by introducing them to the power of practicing gratitude daily. In this article, I will provide you with 101 gratitude journal prompts for kids to start their gratitude journaling practice. I will also provide you with tips on how to get started.
Benefits of gratitude journaling for kids.
Gratitude journal for kids has a positive impact on children’s development. It encourages them to focus on the good in their lives, instead of dwelling on the bad.
Practicing gratitude helps kids develop skills such as empathy, improved moods, increased self-esteem, and stronger relationships.
Thankful kids are better learners because they are optimistic and more likely to be motivated by their successes than failures.
Journals encourage gratitude by providing an outlet for kids to express how they are feeling and what they are thankful for.
101 Gratitude Journal Prompts for Kids
Here is the list of daily gratitude journal writing prompts for your kids:
1. What is something that you are thankful for today?
2. Who is someone in your life that you appreciate?
3. What little thing made you smile this week?
4. Describe a moment of joy from the past month that stands out to you.
5. Name three qualities that you admire about yourself.
6. What do you like most about your home or neighborhood?
7. What person or activity brings you the most joy and happiness?
8. Write down one thing that makes your family special and unique.
9. Think of a challenge that turned out well for you recently and how did it make you feel?
10. Reflect on the last time someone offered help or support. What did they do?
11. What person has had a positive influence on your life lately?
12. What small act of kindness have you done for someone else recently?
13. Name something that made you laugh out loud today.
14. Which of your friendships are you most grateful for and why?
15. Write down one thing that you are proud of achieving this week.
16. Think about a time when you overcame adversity and how did it make you feel afterward?
17. Make a list of all the places that bring you joy and peace, even if it’s just in your imagination right now!
18. Reflect on a recent kind gesture from someone you know and how did it make you feel?
19. Write down one thing that you love about yourself today.
20. Make a list of all the people who have supported and encouraged you throughout your life.
21. What’s something new that you learned this week?
22. Who in your life makes you feel loved and appreciated?
23. Name three things from nature that bring out your sense of wonder and awe.
24. Think about what brings meaning to your life and what are some of those things?
25. List two things that help bring balance to your world, such as exercise, hobbies, etc…
26. Describe a time when someone else showed gratitude to you. How did it make you feel?
27. Think of a recent accomplishment or success that made you proud and how did it make you feel?
28. What have your friends done for you lately that made you smile?
29. When was the last time something small made your day and why?
30. Reflect on a memory from your childhood that brings out positive feelings in you today.
31. What activity do you enjoy doing with your family and why?
32. Make a list of all the things around you right now that bring comfort and joy, such as items in your room or favorite clothing pieces, etc.
33. Write down one moment from today that stands out to you, even if it was just a small moment.
34. Who is someone in your life that always makes you feel special and why?
35. What do you appreciate about yourself today?
36. What have you achieved recently that made you proud of yourself?
37. Think about a recent random act of kindness and how did it make you feel?
38. List three things from nature that inspire your creativity and imagination.
39. Write down one thing today that reminds you to be thankful for your life and all its blessings!
40. Make a list of the positive influences in your life such as family members, friends, or mentors.
41. Reflect on a time when someone made you feel heard and understood. How did it make you feel?
42. Describe a moment when someone showed appreciation to you and how did it make you feel?
43. What do you like most about your school or community?
44. Make a list of all the things that bring a smile to your face every day, such as music, art, and animals.
45. Write down one thing today that inspires hope in your life!
46. Think of an activity that makes you feel alive and energized.
47. Who is someone in your life who makes everything better just by being there?
48. What have been some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned this year and how did they shape you?
49. Make a list of all the good qualities you have that make you unique.
50. What do you appreciate most about your life right now?
51. Who is a mentor or role model in your life that has made an impact on who you are today?
52. Reflect on a time when someone showed understanding to you?
53. List three things from nature that remind you to take time for yourself and enjoy life!
54. Write down one thing today that makes any challenge easier for you to face!
55. What small moments from the past week brought you joy?
56. Make a list of all the things that make you feel strong and confident on the inside.
57. Think about a time when someone challenged you for the better?
58. What is the perfect gift you have ever received?
59. Describe a moment from today that reminded you to be thankful for life’s blessings!
60. What is your best memory of the last holiday season?
61. What is your favorite song and why do you like it?
62. Write down one thing today that brings out your best self!
63. Describe your favorite memory with your family.
64. What challenges have you faced recently that made you more grateful a person?
65. Make a list of the things around you that bring joy and comfort to your day, such as music, books, or hobbies.
66. Describe the happiest moment with a family member.
67. Think about something that always puts a smile on your face.
68. Write your favorite season and why you like it.
69. Write down one thing today that helps fill your heart with gratitude and contentment!
70. Who is someone in your life that always encourages you to be the best version of yourself?
71. Make a list of the things that make you feel content, such as family, friends, or favorite activities.
72. Think about something from today that reminded you to be thankful for life’s blessings!
73. List two things from nature that help bring peace to your world!
74. What is something new that you have learned this week?
75. Think about the little things in life that bring out your joy and contentment?
76. What is your favorite childhood memory and why does it stand out to you?
77. Name three things you love doing with your friends?
78. Share why you enjoy going to school that makes you happy?
79. Illustrate a picture of your favorite animal?
80. List five activities that make you feel happy.
81. Create a poem or story about your most treasured possession.
82. Draw and explain the perfect day for you.
83. Explain what superpower you would want to have if you could choose anyone.
84. Make a list of all the reasons why reading is important to you.
85. Describe your favorite food and why you like it.
86. Create a drawing of your most prized possession and explain why it’s so important to you.
87. Write a letter to yourself about all the wonderful things you’ve accomplished in life thus far.
88. List three goals that you want to accomplish this year, and how you plan on achieving them.
89. Make up a story or poem about your ideal self, if you could be anything or anyone in the world.
90. Write about a special moment shared with someone you love.
91. Describe the best gift you’ve ever received and why it is so meaningful to you.
92. Draw a picture of what your dream home would look like, and explain why it’s perfect for you.
93. Explain why it’s important to be kind to others.
94. Share what makes your family unique and special to you.
95. Write about a hobby you love and why it’s so enjoyable for you.
96. Create a list of five things that make you feel brave and explain why they’re important to you.
97. Share what your favorite book or movie is, and why it has special meaning for you.
98. Draw a picture of yourself doing something extraordinary, then write about how it made you feel.
99. List three ways that make you unique, and explain why these qualities are important to have.
100. Describe the best vacation you ever had.
101. Write about your favorite color and why you like it.
Tips for Using Daily Journal Prompts for Kids
Encourage Creativity
Let your kids get creative with their creative journal entries. Ask them to write a story, draw a picture, or create a poem expressing gratitude for something in their life.
It’s important to give them the freedom to express themselves without judgment so they can truly appreciate and reflect on what they are thankful for.
Set an Example
Kids may not understand why it’s important to practice gratitude at first but if you set an example by keeping your gratitude journal and talk about why doing this is beneficial, they will soon learn how powerful gratitude can be!
Make it Fun
A great way to keep your kids engaged in their journals is by making it fun! Let them choose a journal they like or buy stickers and markers to make it their own.
Also, consider having weekly gratitude activities that you can do together as a family, these will form habits of thankful and happy hearts.
Take Time to Reflect
Make sure to carve out extra time for reflection after each journal entry. Ask your kids open-ended questions or create a memory-making challenge about what they wrote and encourage thoughtful conversation around it.
Memory-making challenges jog their memory and help them reflect effectively.
Have fun with the prompts
Encourage your children to explore different ways of expressing themselves through their journaling and don’t be afraid to add in a few extra prompts if they seem to be stuck on one topic.
Set aside dedicated time for writing
Make sure your kids are setting aside enough time for their journaling, no matter how busy they are they need to have this “mental break” in their day. You can even set a timer if they need help staying focused.
Incorporate art
If your child is more creative than descriptive, why not incorporate some drawing or painting into their journaling?
Allowing them to express their thoughts visually can be just as powerful as writing out those feelings on paper.
Celebrate Milestones
Set up milestones with your kids so that they have something special to look forward to when completing their gratitude journal.
Maybe they can write a certain amount of entries before they get a reward or have dinner out at their favorite restaurant.
Bottom Line
By creating a gratitude journal for your kids, you are teaching them the importance of expressing appreciation for the things in life that bring us joy.
This is an invaluable skill that can help shape their mindset and lead to healthier habits in the long run.
So start writing today, use these gratitude reflective journal prompts, and watch as your child discovers how powerful it can be to practice gratitude each day!
