Giving thanks, a simple gesture that even young children can understand, makes other people feel good and helps us live happier, more appreciative lives. The following Thanksgiving crafts can make the giving of thanks fun for kids:

Thankfulness Tree

You will need:

• Red, orange and yellow construction paper
• Child-safe scissors
• Pencil
• String or ribbon
• Bare tree branches (about two feet long)
• Vase that's tall enough to hold the branches

Cut leaf shapes out of the construction paper. On each leaf, have a child or other family member write something for which he or she is grateful. Poke a small hole in the "stem" of each leaf then thread a string or ribbon through it. Arrange the branches in the vase. Hang the leaves on the branches.

Each year, save the leaves so that in following years the children will be able see what they were thankful for when they were younger.

"Thankful for You" Cards

You will need:

• Writing paper or note cards
• Pen or pencil
• Crayons or colored markers
• Envelopes
• Postage stamps

Loved ones are not always able to be together during the holidays. A week before Thanksgiving, ask your children to write a note to one or two family members or friends who will not be with you on Thanksgiving Day, saying why he or she is thankful for that person. Children may want to include some of their artwork with each card or letter.

Some ways to get started:

Dear Grandma,
I am thankful for you because you always read books to me.

Dear Aunt Sarah,
Thank you for teaching me how to plant flowers.

Dear Cousin Tim,
I am thankful that you are so funny. You always make me laugh.

Dear Mrs. Rogers,
Thank you for helping in my classroom.

Thanksgiving Dinner Place Cards

You will need:

• Construction paper or card stock
• Pen or pencil
• Crayons or colored markers

Using construction paper or card stock, make a place card for each person who will be at your Thanksgiving dinner table. Write each person's name on a card and then have children draw pictures on the cards.

Before dinner, shuffle the cards and pass one to each person, making sure that no one receives their own place card. On the back of the card received, each person should write one or more reasons why he or she is thankful for the person whose name is on the front of the card. Before the meal begins, put a completed card at each place setting.

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