Resources for Practicing and Teaching Gratitude

published 1/28/20; updated 9/12/25

photo by Kiy Turk on Unsplash

by Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”

G.K. Chesterton

Here are a variety of resources to help adults and kids learn about and practice gratitude, including:

• teaching tips;

• research links;

• songs and videos; and

• several different types of activities.

Gratitude Practices and Activities

• Gratitude Scavenger Hunt, from Teaching Mindfulness: A Guidebook for Teachers, Parents, Counselors, and Caregivers by Amoneeta Beckstein with Jana York

• A Gratitude Practice for Challenging Times

• Three Ways to Practice Gratitude Every Day

• 7 Gratitude Practices, for Teachers and Students by Season Mussey from her book Mindfulness in the Classroom: Mindful Principles for Social Emotional Learning

• 9 Simple but Powerful Gratitude Practices to Share with Your Students by Erin Rado of Mindfulness + Magic

• More Than Saying Thank You: Activities That Encourage Awe for the Ordinary by Brandi Lust of Learning Lab Consulting, from her book Myths of Being Human: Four Paths to Connect with What Matters

• Noticing the Five Senses: A Daily Mindfulness Log can be used as a reminder to be more appreciative of the simple small moments of happiness in our daily lives

Quotes, Blessings, and Parables

• Gratitude and Appreciation: Quotations for Reflection and Discussion

• Secular and Spiritual Perspectives on Gratitude: Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Humanist blessings.

• Tales of Generosity: Lessons on Gratitude and Compassion: a variety of tales of giving, from serious to ironic.

• Mindfulness and Happiness: quotations about appreciating the present moment and experiencing contentment.

Grateful: A Love Song to the World

by Nimo Patel and Daniel Nahmod

Songs and Videos about Gratitude

The Video Playlist on Practicing and Teaching Gratitude includes reasons to be grateful and the science of gratitude.

There are a lot of songs about thankfulness and appreciation in the Song Playlists for Teachers:

• Songs About Gratitude and Appreciation

• Great Children's Songs about Mindfulness, Self-Acceptance, and Gratitude

• Be Here Now Song Playlist

• Songs About Love for Friends and Family

Useful Links About Gratitude

These websites have a lot of useful resources on practicing and teaching gratitude.

The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley:

• What is Gratitude?

• Why Practice Gratitude?

• How Do I Cultivate Gratitude?

• Seven Ways to Foster Gratitude in Kids

A Network for Grateful Living (Gratefulness.org):

• Poetry about Gratitude

• Practices for Grateful Living

Mindful magazine (Mindful.org):

• Four Ways to Foster Gratitude in Children

• Four Ways to Wire Your Brain for Gratitude

• How Gratitude Changes You and Your Brain

• Three Guided Meditations to Foster Deep Gratitude

• What Science Reveals About Gratitude’s Impact on the Brain

• Why a Grateful Brain is a Giving One

Related Posts

There are many more resources here at MindfulTeachers.org on teaching mindfulness, compassion, and SEL, including:

• Expert interviews with experienced mindfulness teachers and teacher trainers;

• Video Playlists on mindfulness, compassion, and self-care; and

• Activities for Exploring the Five Senses