Raising grateful kids in a world full of constant consumption isn’t easy. With ads everywhere and instant gratification the norm, kids can quickly focus on what they don’t have instead of what they do. Teaching them to appreciate what matters most takes effort, but it helps them find joy in everyday moments.
Gratitude is key to emotional well being and resilience, helping kids build a positive outlook. Studies show that practicing gratitude leads to more happiness, better self-esteem and stronger relationships. By encouraging gratitude, we teach kids to find joy in the little things, setting them up for a happier, more fulfilling life.
What gratitude means
Gratitude is more than just saying thank you — it’s about noticing and appreciating the good things in our lives, big or small. It’s teaching kids to value the moments, people and experiences that make life special, not just the stuff they receive. Gratitude is different from entitlement because it focuses on feeling thankful for what we have rather than expecting things to always go our way. When we help kids understand this, we show them how to find joy in the little things and the kindness of others. Gratitude helps us appreciate life and not take it for granted.
Be a role model of gratitude
Being a role model of gratitude is about showing appreciation in everyday moments, like thanking service workers or enjoying nature. It also helps to share your own moments of gratitude with your kids so they can see what it looks like to be thankful. Using positive language and being happy with what you have also sets a good example for them. Your kids will start doing it, too, when they see you appreciating the little things, like a nice meal or a beautiful sunset. It’s all about leading by example and showing that gratitude is something you live by, not just something you say.
Create gratitude rituals and practices
Making gratitude a daily habit can be easy and fun. Try starting a gratitude journal or jar as a family, where everyone writes down things they’re thankful for. At dinner, sharing daily sweet and sour moments is a great way to talk about the day, but with a focus on finding something good, even in tough times. You can also practice gratitude before bedtime or during family get-togethers to end the day on a positive note. Little traditions like these help everyone focus on the good stuff and make gratitude a natural part of life.
“One of our priorities as a family is eating dinner together without the distraction of devices. When conversation wanes, I’ll ask everyone to go around and talk about something from their day that they’re grateful for. It’s a good way to practice gratitude while also starting a conversation about each other’s days!”
— Michelle Goth, Blackberry Babe
Limit materialism and promote experiences over things
Focusing on experiences instead of things helps kids learn what really matters. Teaching them to value relationships and memories over material things makes life feel more meaningful. Setting limits on gifts and encouraging thoughtful giving, like homemade presents or experience-based gifts, can make a big difference. Instead of always buying more, try family trips, game nights or spending time together. At the end of the day, the best things in life aren’t things — they’re the moments we share.
Encourage giving and acts of kindness
Teaching kids to give and be kind helps them see how much of a difference they can make. Get them involved in activities like donating old toys or volunteering as a family. Let them know that giving isn’t just about money — it can be helping a neighbor, making a homemade gift or sharing something they’re good at. Show them how helping others brings happiness, not just to the person receiving but also to the giver. When kids experience kindness in action, they realize that making someone’s day feels better than getting something new.
Teach perspective and empathy
Helping kids see life from different perspectives teaches them empathy and gratitude. Talk to them about how not everyone has the same opportunities so they can understand different life situations. Encourage them to appreciate things they might take for granted, like a warm bed, good food or a safe home. Reading books, hearing stories and experiencing new things can help them connect with others’ feelings. The more they learn to see the world through someone else’s eyes, the more kind and grateful they’ll become.
“We raised our family in an area where there were many kids who felt entitled. We believed that we not only needed to talk about gratitude daily but also teach our kids to show and practice it. Twice a year, we delivered food to the needy, worked in soup kitchens and volunteered for many charities. Our youngest son is now working to help entrepreneurs in developing countries create an impact in the world and our other two volunteer, and support, charities of choice.”
— Gwen Wolken, A Sweet Thyme
Avoid overpraising and encourage genuine appreciation
Helping kids express true gratitude makes it more meaningful. Instead of overpraising, focus on things like kindness, effort and hard work — not just achievements or things they receive. Encourage them to say thank you in a genuine way, whether it’s for a gift, a favor or someone’s time. Little things like writing thank-you notes or telling someone you appreciate them can go a long way. When kids learn to notice and value the thought behind things, their gratitude becomes more natural and sincere.
Balance needs and wants
Helping kids understand the difference between needs and wants makes a difference in how they see money and material possessions. They won’t always get everything they want right away, and that’s okay — it teaches them patience and how to set realistic expectations. Saving up for something special is a great way to show them that waiting can be worth it. Let them help with small budgeting decisions, like picking out groceries or saving for a family trip, to show them how money works. When they understand the value behind spending, they’ll learn to appreciate what matters.
Final thoughts
Teaching kids to be grateful doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s worth it. When they learn to appreciate what they have, enjoy experiences over stuff and find happiness in giving, they grow into kind and happy adults. The best way to make it stick is to practice gratitude every day and show them what it looks like.
Heidi is a Certified Elementary School Teacher in the Inland Northwest and has been teaching for 18 years. She is also a vintage recipe blogger at Real Life of Lulu, where she focuses on recipes that are at least 50 years old, many from her grandparents’ kitchens. When she isn’t teaching or baking, she loves spending time with her husband and three kids.