At Therapy Smarts, we believe gratitude is a skill that nurtures emotional growth, empathy, and connection are values that can be practiced year-round. Here are some ways to teach and model gratitude this Thanksgiving season, plus free and fun family-friendly ideas around the Triangle area to enjoy together.

1. Start with Simple Conversations About Thankfulness

Ask your child open-ended questions like:

• “What makes you happy today?”
• “Who do you want to say thank you to?”
• “What’s your favorite thing about our family?”

You can even start a gratitude jar each day leading up to Thanksgiving, write or draw something you’re grateful for and drop it in the jar. On Thanksgiving Day, read them together as a family.

 2. Create Thankful Crafts

Children love to express themselves through art!
Try these easy gratitude-themed crafts:

• Thankful Tree: Draw or cut out a tree and add paper leaves with things your family is thankful for.
• Gratitude Rocks: Paint small rocks with words like “love,” “family,” or “friends” and place them in your garden or neighborhood.
• Thank You Cards: Encourage your child to make cards for teachers, therapists, neighbors, or family members.

 3. Explore Nature and Talk About Gratitude

Spending time outdoors helps children feel calm and connected and it’s a wonderful chance to talk about being thankful for the world around them.

Here are some free local spots your family can enjoy this season:

• Eno River State Park (Durham/Hillsborough): Enjoy a nature walk, collect colorful leaves, and talk about the beauty of fall.
• Duke Gardens (Durham): A peaceful place to explore and appreciate nature together.
• Sandy Creek Park (Durham): Try a short hike or a picnic while discussing what makes your family feel thankful.
• Southern Community Park (Chapel Hill): Great for families with playgrounds, trails, and open fields.
• Apex Community Park (Apex): A wonderful spot for walking, biking, or feeding ducks by the lake.
• Pullen Park (Raleigh): A great spot to picnic, take the dog to the dog park, walk or ride your bike, and ride a carousel, train, pedal boats and kiddie boats. 

Encourage your child to point out what they see, hear, and feel and share something in nature they are thankful for.

4. Give Back as a Family

Acts of kindness help children connect gratitude with action.
You can:

• Donate gently used books to our friends at the Durham Book Harvest.
• Write thank-you notes for first responders or community helpers.
• Volunteer together at a local food pantry or community event.
  Even small gestures—like baking cookies for a neighbor—help children understand that kindness and gratitude go hand in hand.

5. Make Gratitude Part of Everyday Routines

Gratitude doesn’t need to be limited to the holidays! Try adding small moments into your daily rhythm:

• Say one thing you’re thankful for before bedtime.
• Practice “thankful circles” at dinner—each person shares one positive moment from their day.
• Celebrate progress and kindness rather than perfection.

These little rituals help children see that gratitude is something we can feel all year long.

This Thanksgiving, give your family the gift of gratitude. Through simple conversations, outdoor adventures, creative activities, and community kindness, children can learn that being thankful isn’t just about saying “thank you”—it’s about noticing and appreciating the good all around them.

From all of us at Therapy Smarts, we wish you a warm, joyful, and grateful Thanksgiving!