Ready to help your kids develop a positive mindset? One of the quickest ways to raising thankful kids is to practice journaling! Here are 365 gratitude journal prompts for kids.

Journaling is a powerful tool. Creating a daily habit of journaling can help kids express themselves and feel a sense of gratitude. It can improve your child’s mental health, improve their ability to communicate, and can inspire a positive attitude. Try practicing gratitude journal prompts with kids for just a week and discover amazing changes in your kids!

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What do you include in a gratitude journal for kids?

A gratitude journal for kids is simple. Offer simple prompts, like a single question, and let your kids write whatever comes to mind. You can provide lined paper for kids to write full sentences, or you could provide plain paper and let kids express themselves using pictures. THere’s no wrong way to journal, especially for kids.

RELATED: 7-Day Gratitude Challenge for Grown-Ups

How to start a gratitude journal?

To start journaling, you only need three things:

Help your kids find a comfortable pen or pencil, and possibly even colored pencils (kids often include drawings in their journals). Then find a journaling notebook that inspires them to write! And finally, dedicate 5 to 15 minutes every night to writing in the journal. It’s a great idea to include this time in the bedtime routine so it becomes a habit!

What are the benefits of gratitude journaling?

Gratitude journaling can have a huge impact on your life and your kids’ lives. Some of the positive benefits of gratitude journaling include:

An increase in positivity

Improved self-esteem and confidence

Better mental health

Better communication skills

Improved sleep

A greater sense of happiness

Reduced stress

RELATED: 17 Super Simple Calming Strategies for Kids

365 Journal Prompts for Kids

Inspire an attitude of gratitude for a full year with these simple gratitude journal prompts for kids! 

About Things You Love

Here’s a list of gratitude prompts for kids about the things they love in life!

What’s your favorite color? Why is it special to you?

What’s your favorite song? How does it make you feel when you hear it?

Do you love being around people (extrovert) or by yourself (introvert)? Why?

What’s your favorite movie? Describe your favorite scene. Why is it awesome?

Who is your favorite teacher? What do they do to inspire you to learn?

What’s your favorite room in your house? Why do you like it better than the other rooms?

What’s the best book you’ve ever read? What did you like best about the characters?

What subject or class do you like best in school? What’s the most interesting thing about that topic?

What’s your favorite animal? What do you love about that animal? Would the animal make a great pet? Why or why not?

Who is someone you love to be around? How does that person make you feel? 

What’s your favorite meal? What makes it so delicious? Could you eat it every night? Why or why not?

What’s your favorite season? Why do you love that season?

Who inspires you the most? How do they inspire you?

What place do you like most? What is special about that place?

Name a family member you love to be around most. Why?

What does the perfect weekend look like?

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? How did it make you feel?

Describe a hobby that brings you joy? What do you love about it?

What’s your favorite creative activity? How does it make you feel?

What smell makes you feel peace and comfort? Why?

What’s the best thing about your neighborhood? Why?

Name something in nature that you truly admire. Why?

What’s your dream vacation? Why?

What’s your favorite time of day? Why?

Describe your dream house. What would it look like on the outside? What would be special about the inside?

What’s your favorite flower? What do you love about it?

What color do you prefer to wear? Why?

Which month of the year do you prefer? Why?

Which day of the week do you prefer? Why?

More Prompts About Your Favorites

Who’s voice do you love hearing? Why?

Name a quote, verse, or saying that is meaningful to you. Why?

Name something that inspires you to be helpful. Why?

What physical activity do you love the most? Why is it important to you?

What act of kindness is most meaningful to you? Why?

What is your favorite game? Why?

Describe your favorite fruit. What do you love about it? 

What’s your favorite salty snack? Why?

Do you prefer shoes with socks or without socks? Why?

What’s your favorite TV show? Why?

What’s your favorite holiday? Why?

Who is your favorite sports team? Why?

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Why?

Describe your favorite breakfast meal.

What is your favorite type of candy? Why?

Describe your favorite way to spend an hour. Why?

What is your favorite veggie? What do you like to eat with it?

Describe your favorite stuffed animal or toy. How does it make you feel?

Who is your favorite Disney princess or prince. Why do you love them?

What’s your favorite letter of the alphabet? Why?

What’s your favorite nursery rhyme? How does it make you feel?

About Big Feelings

Help your kids manage big feelings with these gratitude journal prompts around tough subjects.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever accomplished? How did it feel to overcome the challenge?

What object comforts you the most when you’re feeling down? What’s special about this object?

When you do something great, how do you like to be recognized for your effort? What type of recognition makes you feel proud? Why?

Think about a time that you had to do something outside your comfort zone. How did it make you feel? Was it worth it?

What’s the scariest dream you’ve ever had? How did you feel when you woke up and realized it was a dream?

What’s the most difficult subject for you to learn? Why do you think it’s difficult for you? What can you do to make it easier?

Describe the last time you were very angry. What made you angry? How did you calm yourself down?

How do you refocus yourself when you get frustrated? What helps you push through your frustration to accomplish your goals?

When you feel sad, who or what comforts you most? Why?

When someone hurts you, how do you express your feelings to them? How does it make you feel to express yourself?

About Your Life

What do you like about the city you live in? What makes your city special?

Describe the best part of your morning routine. What’s one thing you could change to make it better?

What do you like most about your bedtime routine? What’s one thing you could change to make it better?

What do you appreciate most about your family? How do they support you?

What is one thing that’s happened this month that you’re grateful for. Describe how it made you feel.

What’s your best memory over the past year? How has that memory impacted you?

What do you love most about your life?

What’s something you take for granted? How can you express your gratitude for that thing?

What’s one rule you follow but hate? Why do you think that rule is unfair? Why do you think grown ups put that rule in place?

What’s one thing you’d never change about your life? Why?

About Your Future

When you grow up, what career do you hope to pursue? Why is that a good fit for you?

What goals have you set for yourself this year? How do you plan to achieve those goals?

If you were handed $1000 right now, how could you use that money to invest in your future? 

Where’s the one place you hope to travel to when you grow up? Why?

Name one person you hope remains your friend for life. Why do you think that person would make a great life-long friend?

What’s one thing you’ll miss about your childhood home when you move out? Why?

What’s one thing you’re looking forward to in the next year? Why?

What are your goals for the next 3 to 5 years? What’s your plan to achieve those goals?

When you grow up, how can you contribute to your community? Name at least 3 ways you can give back.

What does your ideal family look like? Describe your idea of the perfect grown-up life.

About YOU

Foster a sense of self-confidence with these journal prompts to help kids feel gratitude towards themselves!

Which sense (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) do you appreciate the most? Why?

What’s your best personality trait? Why does it make you feel good about yourself?

What’s your best physical feature? Why does it make you feel good about yourself?

What’s one thing that makes you a great friend? Why?

Name one thing that makes you a great student. Why?

What’s one thing that makes you a great child and/or sibling?

Name your best skill. How can you use that skill to help others?

What’s the last thing you did to help someone else? What do you think they felt like?

How do you prefer to spend your time alone? How does it make you feel?

What’s your biggest strength? 

What’s your best childhood memory? What makes it special?

What makes you beautiful? 

Name one thing that makes you smile every time you hear or see it. Why?

What gives you confidence? Why?

What are your 5 best qualities?

About Your Day (Today)

Who were you happiest to see today? Why?

Write down what you had to eat today. How did that food sustain you? Where do you think that food came from?

Think about all the things that will help you feel comfortable tonight as you sleep (such as a warm bed, pillows, a roof to shelter you from rain, etc). How do these simple comforts help you be an amazing person?

What did you do today that made you happier? Describe how it impacted your happiness. 

Did you witness any acts of kindness today? How did that make you feel?

What was your favorite hour of the day? Why?

What’s something bad that happened today? Name two good things that came out of that situation. 

Look out the window. Describe something nice that you see.

What’s the most beautiful thing you saw today? What made it beautiful?

How many positive things can you name about today? List them.

What’s the most difficult thing you had to do today?

What’s the funniest thing that happened today? Why did it make you laugh?

Describe one way you were inclusive today. How did that make others feel?

What’s the most important thing you learned today? Why?

What was the first thing you did today? Did it make your day better? Why or why not?

Describe the most productive thing you did today. How do you feel about it now?

What’s the best thing you read today? Why did you like it?

What was the most frustrating thing that happened today? What could you have done differently?

Who did you talk to most today? Describe your relationship. What do you love about this person?

What was the best meal you had today? Why was it special?

What was the strongest emotion you felt today? How did it help you grow?

Describe one thing you wish you would have done differently today. How can you avoid that mistake in the future?

Name one thing you did today to work toward one of your goals? How close are you to achieving that goal? What can you do tomorrow to continue progress?

More Prompts About Today

One of the easiest things to journal about is the current day. The events are fresh in their minds, so it’s easy to write about! Try these gratitude journal prompts for kids.

What’s one thing that made you proud today? Describe what happened.

Describe something that made you feel safe today. 

In just one sentence, summarize your day. Does your summary make you feel positive or negative? Describe your feelings.

What’s one beautiful thing that stands out from today? Describe it in detail.

Describe one small thing that happened today that you’re grateful for. How does it make you feel?

What’s one thing you learned about yourself today? What triggered this realization?

What’s one thing that made you laugh today? Describe the situation.

How did you make a positive impact on someone’s life today. 

Describe how you physically moved your body today. How do you feel after the exercise? 

How did you sleep last night? What impact did that have on your day?

Describe something that eased your stress today. 

What talents did you use today? How do your talents make you feel?

If you had to describe today using a color, what color would it be? Why?

Of all the places you went today, which place was your favorite? Why?

What is your favorite memory from today? How does it make you feel?

What was the best song you heard today? Why do you like it?

Name one way you expressed your gratitude today. How do you think it made the other person (or people) feel?

Think about your biggest smile from today. What made you smile? Who did you share the moment with? How do you feel reliving that moment right now?

Describe a moment you spent in nature today. How does nature make you feel? 

What’s one thing you did today that could be considered “self-care”? Why does that activity make you feel good?

What was the quietest moment of your day? Do you enjoy quiet moments? Why or why not?

What was your greatest adventure today? Do adventures excite you or scare you? Describe your feelings.

Describe one thing that made you feel cozy today.

What was the best scent you smelled today? How did it make you feel?

Name something you want right now that money cannot buy. How can you obtain this thing?

What was the most challenging part of today? How did you push through it?

Name the one strength of yours that you needed today. How did it help you grow?

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Make a List

A great option for gratitude journal prompts for kids is to make a list! Here are some quick and easy list prompts for kids.

Name 3 things in the room you’re in right now that you could not live without.

Name 3 people who have changed your life. How?

What are 3 foods you could eat every single day?

Name 3 activities you love the most. What do you love about them?

Name 3 people that bring you joy. How do they make you happy?

List 3 people you love to hear laugh.

Name 3 things that make you an amazing friend.

Name 5 things you love about yourself.

What are your 3 favorite months of the year?

Name 3 things you love about your family.

Name 3 ways school helps you grow.

Who are your 3 favorite teachers of all time?

Name 3 reasons you like the current month.

If you were stranded on an island, what 5 things would you take with you?

Name 3 memories you treasure most.

More List Prompts for Kids

Name the 3 best gifts you’ve ever received.

What are the 3 best gifts you’ve ever given to someone you love?

Name the 3 most beautiful things you’ve ever seen.

Name the 5 best movies you’ve ever seen.

List the 5 best songs you’ve ever heard.

Name the 5 best books you’ve ever read.

Name the 3 best meals you’ve ever had.

What are your best 3 school subjects?

Name your 3 favorite pieces of clothing in your closet right now.

Name 3 accomplishments that you’re proud of.

What are the 3 best dreams you’ve ever had?

What are the 3 scariest nightmares you’ve ever had?

Name your three favorite colors to wear.

What are your 3 favorite kinds of cookies? Why?

What are your 3 favorite holidays?

Who are your 3 favorite singers?

What are your 3 favorite zoo animals?

What are your 3 favorite snacks?

List your 3 favorite superheroes.

Where are your 3 favorite places to go with friends?

What are your 3 favorite drinks?

What are the 3 best colors of the rainbow? Why?

Name 3 life goals. Why are they important to you?

Name 3 hobbies you want to try. Why?

What are your 3 favorite scents? Why?

Name 3 times you’ve been surprised. Were they good surprises or scary surprises?

Name 3 pet peeves. Why do they bother you?

What are 3 things you’re afraid of. Why?

What are your 3 favorite TV shows? Why?

List 10 games you love to play. Why do you enjoy them?

What are your 3 favorite restaurants? Why?

Write down 3 secrets you haven’t shared.

Name 3 celebrities you love. Why?

List 10 things you could never go without.

What are 3 skills you want to learn? Why?

Would You Rather…

Have your kids choose between the two options, then explain why they made that choice! These are super fun gratitude journal prompts that kids love!

Live in a tree house or an igloo?

Ride a dragon or a unicorn?

Live in a house up in the clouds or underwater?

Have purple or green skin?

Find a treasure map or magic beans?

Be a superhero or a wizard?

Have blue hair or purple hair?

The season always be summer or winter?

Have a tail or horns?

Have wings or a mermaid tail?

Be super strong or super fast?

It rained marshmallows or jelly beans?

Time travel to the future or the past?

Wayfind with Moana or explore the jungle with Mowgli?

Visit the sun or the moon?

Go to a movie or to the park?

Fix dinner for your family or wash the dishes after dinner?

Have porcupine’s needles or tiger stripes?

Meet a leprechaun or a mermaid?

Spot a rainbow or watch snow fall?

Be rich or famous?

Explore space or travel the world?

Use an umbrella or a raincoat?

Vacation in the snowy mountains or on a beach?

Be Captain American or Superman?

More Would You Rather… Journal Prompts!

Have a pet dog or a pet cat?

Write a book or create a movie?

Learn a new sport or musical instrument?

Own a telescope or a microscope?

Own a yacht or a private plane?

Ride an elephant or ride a shark?

Play with LEGO blocks or Play-Doh?

Drive a firetruck or ambulance?

Spend a day in a garden or on a beach?

Be invisible or know how to fly?

Prefer cake or cookies?

Build a snowman or a sand castle?

Vacuum or wash dishes?

Eat tacos or nachos?

Shovel snow or mow the lawn?

Learn sign language or braille?

Ride in a helicopter or go skydiving?

Be an ant or a bee?

Live on an island or on a mountain?

Discover a new animal or a new planet?

Visit a chocolate factory or a toy factory?

Go camping or stay in a hotel?

Kiss a frog or a snake?

Go to school or the dentist?

Be a teacher or a coach?

About Holidays

Holidays are a great opportunity ot be grateful. Here are holiday gratitude journal prompts for your kids!

What’s your favorite holiday? Why?

How does celebrating a holiday bring your family closer?

What’s one thing you can do to make the next holiday special for your family? 

Name 5 acts of kindness you can give to others during the holiday season.

Think about the feeling you get when you give the perfect gift to someone you love. Why is that feeling better than receiving a gift yourself?

What holiday traditions mean the most to you. Why?

What holiday traditions will you continue after you move out of your family home? Why?

What person is the most festive around holidays? How does that person make you feel about the holiday?

What holiday foods do you enjoy the most? Why?

Do you consider your birthday a holiday? Why or why not?

Finish this Sentence

“I’m glad I have _____ in my life.” Why?

“I am thankful to live in a world with ________.” Why?

“One thing I could never give up is ______.” Why?

“I enjoy ______ every single day.” Why?

“I will always make time for _______.” Why?

“My life would not be complete without _______.” Why?

“I hate when my mom/dad/sibling says ________.” Why?

“The one activity I will never quit is _________.” Why?

“The next skill I will master is _______.” Why?

“I feel safe when ________.” Why?

Creative Writing Prompts

Writing creatively is great for your child’s brain development, plus it can improve their communication skills (including communicating gratitude!) Try these creative journal prompts for kids to encourage gratitude.

Imagine dogs took over the world. What would they do with humans?

Pretend you are a mad scientist and you’ve invented a new vegetable. What does it look like? What does it taste like? 

Imagine you’re walking through the forest and a tree starts talking to you. What would you talk about?

The weather forecast is calling for a blizzard in the middle of summer. What’s the first thing you would do? How would you make the best of the situation?

Imagine you’ve invented a time machine! How could you use it to help people?

What food do you hate? Why is it gross? Is there anything good that could come from you eating it once in a while?

Pretend you’re the security guard at the zoo. Someone has stolen the giraffe! How would you track down the thief? 

If you could make lunch for the Queen of England, what would you make for her? Why?

If you were in a spaceship, what would be the most exciting thing to see? 

Have you lost anything important to you? How did you find it?

If you could be any animal, what would you choose? Why?

Imagine you open a store that only sells items of your favorite color. What would you sell?

Write a short story using these three words: superhero, piano, pizza.

Write about 5 things that are important for your health and safety.

Do you think thunderstorms are scary? Why or why not?

You’re going on a jungle cruise! What items would you pack in your suitcase?

What are chores you do at home? How do you think helping with chores makes your parents feel?

Pretend you walked outside your door and found a dragon sleeping in the grass! What would you do? 

Imagine you’re the captain of a pirate ship. Write about your day as though you’re writing in your captain’s log, in pirate speak!

Write a letter to your future self in 10 years!

More Creative Writing Prompts

Would a shark make a good pet? Why or why not?

Make a list of objects for every letter of the alphabet!

Write about the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the color green.

What makes you unique? Why is it good to be unique?

Do you like watching fireworks or are they too noisy? Write about the last time you saw fireworks.

Oh no! Your friend turned into a statue. What do you do? How can you turn your friend back into a person?

You won a never ending supply of spaghetti noodles! What would you do with all those noodles?

What would it be like to be a firefighter? Would you like that job? Why or why not?

If you could create a new law, what would it be? Why?

Your friend wants you to do something dangerous. What should you do?

Write a persuasive letter to your parents explaining why you should get a new pet. How do you make a convincing argument? 

How would the world be different with no oceans? 

Do you like reading and writing? Why are they good skills to practice?

Do you have a good luck charm? What makes it lucky?

What do you do when the weather is hot? How do you stay cool?

You’re baking the best birthday cake ever for someone in your family. Describe the cake. What flavors? How many layers? What does it look like? How does it taste?

Describe a weird dream you had. What do you think it means?

If you could breathe underwater, what would you do? Where would you swim to?

If you could make dinner for your family, what would you make? 

Think of a time you laughed really hard. What was so funny?

If you could drive any vehicle, what would you drive? Why?

If you could start a new collection, what would you collect? Why?

Yikes! It’s raining popcorn! What would you do?

What would it be like to have a unicorn as a pet? Where would you keep it? What do they eat? Where would it sleep?

Are you afraid of the dark? Why or why not?

What are some of the things you do every day to stay healthy? 

Do you think grown-ups are boring? Why or why not?

Imagine dinosaurs were still alive today. How would your life be different?

Would you rather visit a volcano or a desert? Why?

What would it be like to be an ant for a day? What would you do?

Other Fun Journal Prompts that Inspire Gratitude

Here are a few super fun journal prompts that can help kids express gratitude.

Name one person (dead or alive) you’d love to have dinner with. Why?

If you could do anything tomorrow, what would you do? Why?

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? Why?

What can you do to combat climate change?

If you could invent something, what would it be?

What is the most destructive force in nature? Why?

If you could have any special talent, what would it be? Why?

Describe yourself in just 10 words.

How would you spend the perfect day?

Who is your hero? Why?

Name one thing you want to get better at. Why?

Describe the best celebration you’ve ever been to. Why was it so special?

What makes a great friend?

Describe a situation where it’s OK to tell a lie.

If you were in charge, what’s one rule you would make for your household?

If you could invent a new food, what would it be? Describe it.

Why do you think it’s important to have goals? 

What is your favorite kind of weather? Why?

If you could visit any planet, which one would you choose? Why?

If you could change one thing about your house, what would you change? Why?

Name a hobby you never want to try. Why?

If you could change one thing about the world, what would you change?

Name one machine you could not live without. Why?

If you could be any Disney princess or prince, who would you choose? Why?

More Fun Writing Prompts

Name one habit you’d like to change? Why?

Describe the perfect babysitter.

Describe a time when you were lost. How did you find your way?

Write about a time when you were disappointed. Name 3 positive things that came out of that situation.

If you could be any animal in the zoo, what would you choose? Why?

Pretend you’re a grape that becomes a raisin. Describe how it feels to shrink, shrivel up, and become dry and wrinkly. 

Describe a time when you were disappointed by a friend. How did you express your disappointment?

What does it mean to be a mom or a dad? Describe the perfect parent.

Name something that worries you. How do you calm your worries?

If you could be any character, who would you choose? Why?

What do you think it was like to be a child with no internet? What did kids do for fun?

If you could be a teacher, what subject would you teach? Why?

If you could work at any store, which store would you choose? Why?

What dessert do you love the most? Why?

If you found a magic lamp and were granted three wishes, what would you wish for?

What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen? Describe it.

If you could meet a famous person, who would you choose? What questions would you ask them?

Think about a difficult decision you had to make. How did you make that decision?

What does it mean to be a bully? How do you stand up for yourself?

Describe the perfect fort. 

Invent a monster. What does it look like? Where does it live? What does it eat? What does it do for fun?

Name something that makes you mad. How do you manage your anger?

Describe a day you’d like to relive. What would you do differently?

What is the scariest experience you’ve ever had? 

What’s the funniest prank you’ve ever played on someone? How did it make you feel?

If you woke up invisible, how would you spend your day?

Want the PDF Version?

You can download it for free! No email address required. Just click the button below to download it now.

Conclusion

A gratitude journal is a great learning tool for your kids. It takes very little time and effort and can have a huve impact. Have fun exploring these gratitude journal prompts with your kids!