A peek inside this post: Turkey and all the fixings are great, but let’s make the day mean a little bit more with family devotions for Thanksgiving. This kids Thanksgiving devotional will cover the history of the holiday, and with thoughtful questions and activities, will help teach gratitude on Thanksgiving.
Have you ever asked yourself how you can help your kids develop a better heart of Thanksgiving? You probably want them to understand that it’s more than just celebrating with a meal on the last Thursday of November.
It’s not about the Black Friday sales. Or even the sales that have started happening on Thanksgiving Day.
I’ve been there and have some resources, ideas, and a devotion you can read with your kids on or before Thanksgiving.
>>Don’t miss the printable version of this Thanksgiving Devotion for Kids below!
Whether you’re celebrating with just your immediate family this year, or fifty extended family members, this Thanksgiving Devotion will be a great way to engage the children and help prepare their hearts for the holiday.
Can’t you just picture gathering all the kids for a sweet lesson in between dinner and pie?
Something to be grateful for: We are offering this devotional as a PDF for your convenience!
Who is this devotional written for?
Before we get into the devo’s content, you may be wondering what age group it’s best suited for.
This devotional is written for:
- families with children or grandchildren
- Sunday schools
- youth groups
- outreach
To accommodate the wide range of children that may be participating, our hope is to write devotionals that ANY age can get something out of by not talking down to teenagers while also not speaking too maturely for younger children.
We try to offer additional resources to help reinforce the lesson if parts of the devotional might be a little complex for young minds.
Discussion questions are meant to be simple, and the depth of discussion will vary based on age and maturity. As a general rule, we err on the side of not making the content sound like it’s written for kindergarteners, but hope that it’s short and sweet enough for them to participate!
Thankful Turkeys: Thanksgiving Devotion For Kids
Day 1 – A Heart of Gratitude
Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Thanksgiving is a holiday many of us look forward to every year. Families gather around the table, special food is prepared, and people share what they are thankful for.
These traditions are meaningful, but the Bible teaches us that gratitude is more than just something we talk about once a year. For followers of Jesus, being thankful is part of our daily walk with Him.
When Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, he encouraged them to “give thanks in all circumstances.”
That’s not always easy. Sometimes life feels heavy, disappointing, or confusing. But Paul’s words remind us that gratitude is not based on how good life feels—it’s based on how good God is.
Even when things are difficult, God’s love never changes, and His blessings are still present in our lives.
The Pilgrims understood this truth in a very real way. Their journey to America was filled with challenges. They had left behind their homes and families in England so they could worship God freely, but the first winter was harsh. Many became sick, and some died. Yet when the harvest finally came, they gathered with thankful hearts.
Even after suffering loss, they chose to thank God for the blessings they did have—food for the season, new friendships, and the gift of freedom to pray and worship together.
When we choose gratitude, our perspective changes. Instead of focusing only on what we don’t have or what’s gone wrong, we begin to see the many ways God has blessed us.
Gratitude softens our hearts and helps us recognize that every good gift comes from Him. It also changes the way we treat one another. A thankful heart is more patient, more joyful, and more willing to encourage others.
As we begin this devotional together, let’s remember that preparing for Thanksgiving is about more than cooking and gathering. It’s about preparing our hearts to give thanks to God every day.
This week is an opportunity to train ourselves to see His goodness all around us and to let our thankfulness flow out in the way we speak and act.
Discussion
- What are three things you are thankful for right now?
- Why do you think God tells us to be thankful in all circumstances?
- How can gratitude change the way we feel or the way we act toward others?
Activity
- Start a Thankfulness Pumpkin. Every day, write something you’re thankful for on the pumpkin with a sharpie.
- Read Psalm 100 aloud as a family and talk about how it makes you feel.
- Write a thank-you note or card to someone who has blessed you recently.
- Take a walk and name things in creation you’re grateful for as you notice them.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for Your blessings, both big and small. Thank You for life, for family, and for the gift of salvation through Jesus. Help us to see reasons to be thankful every day, even when things feel hard. Teach us to live with hearts full of gratitude, and let our thankfulness show in our words and actions.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Continue Reading “Thankful Turkeys: Thanksgiving Devotion For Kids”
You’ve just enjoyed Day 1 of “Thankful Turkeys: Thanksgiving Devotion For Kids,” where we started learning that life is meant to be lived connected to God and others.
But this is just the beginning! Days 2–5 are full of practical lessons, Bible verses, and family activities that will help your kids (and you!) focus in on what Thanksgiving truly means.
By completing all five days, your family will prepare their hearts for Thanksgiving in a meaningful, purposeful way.
Ready to continue the journey? Get the full 5-Day “Thankful Turkeys: Thanksgiving Devotion For Kids” as a PDF and set your family up for an intentional holiday!
>>>Snag your Thankful Turkeys: Thanksgiving Devotion For Kids HERE.
If you complete this devotion, let us know in the comments! We love hearing from you!
Thankful Turkeys: Thanksgiving Devotion For Kids
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Family Games at Thanksgiving: Here’s another way to keep the whole family engaged on Thanksgiving! These 7 Games are AWESOME to play after the leftovers are put away!
Thanksgiving Devotion for Women: Don’t just focus on preparing the kids’ hearts for Thanksgiving —- use this 5-day devotional series to grow your own attitude of gratitude!