Preschool (Or Family Togetherness) Thanksgiving Holiday Craft: Our Thankful Tree

I saw this idea floating around last year and thought it would be fun to try. It was a fast and simple project that lent itself to meaningful family conversation. I'm so glad we did it, and that we took a picture of it to look at in the future.

We took part of the evening before Thanksgiving to do this activity. However, I have seen other people say they make the tree and a big pile of leaves at the beginning of November and encourage each family member to put one on each day. You could start it today if you wanted. Then read all of the leaves together on Thanksgiving. Perhaps when some of our kids are older we will try it that way.

Thankful Tree

• Large white paper
• Brown marker or paint to make a tree trunk
• Colored paper for leaves
• Scissors
• Black pen or marker to write with
• Tape or glue

1. Draw or paint a bare tree trunk.
2. Cut out small colored leaves.
3. Ask everyone participating to think of things they are thankful for and write them on the colored leaves. Those not able to write can dictate things they are thankful for of course.
4. Tape or glue the leaves on the tree.
5. Count your blessings (literally or figuratively).