Print, Color, and Give Thanks
Whats Included
Your Thankful Tree printable as shown in the photo below, brings the tree, leaves, and instructions together in one easy-to-use PDF:
Instruction page: Printing guidance, five simple craft steps, thankful prompts, usage terms, and a clickable tutorial link.
Full-color Thankful Tree: A bare brown tree with “Thankful” at its base.
Autumn-colored leaves: Yellow, orange, and red leaves ready to cut out.
Green leaves: A colorful alternative for your tree.
Thankful Tree coloring page: A tree outline and “Thankful” lettering to color.
Leaf coloring page: Blank leaf outlines for your own colors, words, and drawings.
All six pages are formatted for US Letter paper, 8.5 × 11 inches, in portrait orientation. Print only the pages you want, and add extra leaf sheets as needed.
This is a digital download. We will not ship printed pages or craft supplies.
A Season of Thankfulness
Create a shared tree for your family or classroom, or invite each person to decorate their own. Make it together for Thanksgiving, add thankful leaves throughout the fall, or keep it nearby during November as a place to collect little moments of appreciation.
Children and adults can contribute in their own way. Write a word or short phrase, draw a picture, or help a younger child record their answer.
A few ideas for your leaves:
A person: “Grandma’s stories” or “a friend who helped.”
A moment: “Playing outside” or “dinner together.”
An everyday comfort: “A warm blanket” or “my favorite book.”
You might share a leaf during a meal or classroom gathering, or simply enjoy watching the branches fill. For more ways to make this a seasonal tradition, explore these thankful tree ideas for Thanksgiving.
A Few Simple Supplies
Gather your printed pages, scissors, glue or tape, and a pen or marker. Add coloring supplies if you choose the outline pages.
Choose and print your tree and leaf pages.
Color if you wish, then cut out the leaves.
Write or draw something you appreciate on each leaf.
Glue or tape the leaves onto the branches.
Display your tree and add more leaves whenever you like.
Young children may appreciate help with cutting and writing. They can draw their answers or tell someone what they would like recorded.
The first page of your PDF includes instructions to keep with the activity. Visit the Thankful Tree craft tutorial for the full step-by-step guide, display ideas, and more suggestions for writing on the leaves.
The photo below shows a completed thankful tree with gratitude leaves using the full-color printables.
Before You Begin
You've got questions. We've got answers.
This is a paid digital download. The related craft tutorial is available to read on Rhythms of Play.
This set features “Thankful” at the base of the tree and is presented as a seasonal Thanksgiving activity. The separate Gratitude Tree Printable features “Grateful” and offers an everyday gratitude activity. You can enjoy either year-round, though most people create them in the fall. Choose the wording you prefer.
No. Use the tree and leaf coloring pages if you prefer to print outlines and add your own colors. You will need a color printer only if you want to print them in full color.
Regular printer paper works. Cardstock gives the tree and leaves a sturdier finish. You can print the instruction page on regular paper and keep it for reference.
Yes. Personal and classroom use includes copies for your household and all students you personally teach, including future classes. Other teachers should obtain their own copy.
No. You can do it all at once, or add leaves gradually throughout the fall, in October or November, depending on whether you live in Canada or the US. In Canada, Thanksgiving is in October, while in the US it is in November.
Usage & Permissions
Your purchase lets you print copies for your household and for all students in the classes you personally teach, including future classes.
Please do not resell or redistribute the printable, share the digital file or download link, upload it to public websites or shared resource libraries, or include it in products for sale. Other teachers should obtain their own copy.
You’re welcome to share photos of your finished trees. To invite others to try the activity, share the product page or tutorial instead of the files.
Ready to Pause and Reflect?
Begin with one person, place, or moment you appreciate. Your six-page PDF includes instructions, a full-color Thankful Tree, autumn and green leaves, and coloring pages to make the activity your own.
Would you like both tree designs and more ways to explore gratitude? The Gratitude Activities and Crafts Bundle includes this Thankful Tree, the Gratitude Tree, Gratitude Journal Prompts, and other printable gratitude activities.
This Thankful Tree Printable is also included in the Rhythms of Play PLAY CLUB membership library. Explore the membership for more printable gratitude activities, arts, crafts, and nature learning resources.
We believe in the wonder of childhood, the power of the imagination, learning through play, making this world a greener place to live, getting outside in all seasons, and co-creating a life you love one rhythm at a time! Learn More...