Thanksgiving

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Intro: Who has to write thank you cards after their birthday or Christmas? Why? Who do the cards go to? Today we’re thinking about saying thanks to someone who has given you more than just a present.

Games:
Check out this Gratitude Photo Scavenger Hunt. Even if you don’t have the space for a scavenger hunt you can use their printable list as a guide to drawing or just talking about things you’re grateful for.
An Alphabet Thanksgiving Game. The first person starts with the letter A: “I am thankful for the Aeroplane that brought my grandparents here to visit.” Go around the table, with each person using the next letter in the alphabet. Some letters will be harder than others! If a child has trouble thinking of an answer, the adults can make suggestions, but should let the child choose his or her final answer. There are no right or wrong answers in this game; it’s just a way to get kids thinking about their many blessings. For an extra challenge with older kids you have to name each thing that’s previously been said ie. “I’m thankful for aeroplanes, buildings, carrots, December and everyone here!”
I used to love playing Pick-Up Sticks. Here’s how to turn it into a game of Gratitude Pick-Up Sticks.
Thankful Bulldog: Two areas of safety one at either end of the room. When something you’re grateful for is called out you have to run to the other end. As you run you can be caught which means that you join them and try to catch others.

Talk:
Why should we give thanks to God?

Songs:
Praise Like Fireworks – Rend Collective Experiment: Homemade Worship by Handmade People
Your Love – Bob Kauflin: Sovereign Grace Praise
God’s Love is Big – Simon Parry: Great Big God
Since I Met You – DC Talk: Supernatural
All through History – Nick and Becky Drake: Big Family of God
Lovely Jubbly – Doug Horley: Top 50 Awesome Action Songs
Salvation belongs to our God – Crystal Lewis: Worship together – Be Glorified

Prayer:
Blow up a balloon per child (as always with balloons you may need one or two spare). In marker pen write the thing you are most grateful to God for. Explain that when just like a balloon gets whisked into the sky on a windy day our prayers of thanks go to God. He hears all of them whether they are said aloud at the dinner table, silently in our hearts or sung in church. When everyone has made one take them out side and release them into the sky. Shout a big thank you God as you do!