Inspiring examples of creative gratitude journals for kids

Real‑life examples of creative gratitude journals for kids

Let’s skip theory and start with what you came for: real examples of creative gratitude journals for kids that children actually enjoy using. These aren’t just “write three things every day” assignments; they’re playful, flexible formats that respect short attention spans and big feelings.

1. The “Three-Color Gratitude” sketchbook

One popular example of a creative gratitude journal for kids is the three-color sketchbook. Instead of lines for writing, each page is blank. Kids choose three colored markers or crayons:

• One color for people they’re grateful for
• One color for places they’re grateful for
• One color for little things (toys, snacks, pets, comfy socks)

Each day, they fill the page with simple doodles or icons in those three colors. A blue stick figure might be a friend, a green tree might be the backyard, a yellow ice cream cone might be dessert.

This style works especially well for younger kids or neurodivergent kids who find writing tiring. It still builds the habit of noticing good things, but it does it through art. Teachers often use this example of a gratitude journal during morning meetings, giving kids five minutes to draw before the day starts.

2. The “Gratitude Comics” journal

For kids who love stories or graphic novels, gratitude comics are one of the best examples of creative gratitude journals for kids. Each page is divided into three or four comic panels. In each panel, the child draws a short scene from their day and adds a speech bubble or caption.

A panel might say, “I’m grateful Mom let me pick the movie,” with a drawing of the couch. Another might show a soccer goal with, “Thankful Coach cheered for me even when I missed.”

This format:

• Encourages perspective-taking ("How did that person help me?")
• Makes it easy to remember specific moments instead of vague ideas
• Feels more like making a comic book than doing homework

Teachers can combine this with social-emotional learning (SEL) lessons, asking kids to highlight kind acts or moments of support. Research on gratitude and well-being in children, summarized by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley (https://ggsc.berkeley.edu), suggests that noticing specific social support moments can build stronger relationships and emotional resilience.

3. The “Gratitude Scavenger Hunt” notebook

If you have a kid who cannot sit still, this example of a creative gratitude journal might be your best friend. The gratitude scavenger hunt notebook turns journaling into a mini adventure.

Each page has a simple prompt such as:

• “Find something that smells good. Draw or write it.”
• “Find something that makes a sound you like.”
• “Find something smaller than your hand that you’re happy you have.”

Kids walk around the house, classroom, or playground and then record what they find. Over time, they build a personal catalog of small joys. This is especially helpful for anxious or sensitive kids, because it trains their brains to scan the environment for safety and comfort, not just for threats.

Educators can adapt these scavenger hunt prompts to match seasons, holidays, or units of study. For example, in November, prompts might focus on family traditions; in spring, on nature. This is one of the best examples of creative gratitude journals for kids when you want movement and mindfulness together.

4. The “Feelings + Gratitude” regulation journal

Some children struggle to access gratitude when they’re overwhelmed. For them, a combined feelings-and-gratitude journal can be powerful. Each page has two simple sections:

• “Today I feel…” (with a feelings chart or emojis to circle)
• “One small thing I’m grateful for anyway is…”

Kids can draw or write in each section. The message is not “You must be happy,” but “You can be sad and still notice one good thing.” This aligns with what many child psychologists emphasize: we don’t use gratitude to erase hard feelings; we use it to broaden a child’s emotional range.

Organizations like the American Psychological Association (https://www.apa.org) and the National Institute of Mental Health (https://www.nimh.nih.gov) highlight the importance of teaching children emotional awareness and coping strategies. This style of journal quietly supports both.

5. The “Bedtime Gratitude Tickets” booklet

Here’s a very simple, very cozy example of a creative gratitude journal for kids: a small booklet of “tickets” kept by the bed. Each page looks like a movie ticket with just enough room for one sentence or picture.

At night, the child fills out one ticket: “Tonight I’m grateful for…” followed by a quick drawing or phrase. The parent or caregiver can fill one out too, modeling the habit. Tickets stay in the booklet, and once a week you flip through them together.

Many families say this becomes the most peaceful part of the bedtime routine. It shifts the focus from “I don’t want to go to sleep” to “Let’s remember something good.” Over time, kids begin volunteering ideas before you even ask.

6. The “Photo + Caption” digital gratitude journal

As more kids use tablets and phones, digital journals are increasingly popular. One of the best examples of creative gratitude journals for kids in 2024–2025 is the photo + caption format using a simple notes app, a shared family album, or a kid-friendly journaling app.

The routine is simple:

• The child takes one photo each day of something they appreciate.
• They add a short caption: “Grateful for my cousin visiting” or “Happy about sunny weather.”

This format is ideal for:

• Tweens and teens who live on their devices
• Kids with dysgraphia or fine-motor challenges
• Families who like sharing entries with relatives far away

Parents can model digital boundaries by setting a specific time window for this practice. While screen time has downsides if unmanaged, organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (https://www.aap.org) emphasize that intentional, parent-guided use of technology can be positive.

7. The “Gratitude Collage” weekend journal

Some kids are not daily-journalers, and that’s okay. For them, a weekly gratitude collage journal can be more sustainable. Each weekend, they create one page using:

• Magazine cutouts
• Stickers
• Ticket stubs, wrappers, or photos
• Handwritten or printed words

They arrange everything into a collage that represents what they’re thankful for that week: a cartoon of a dog, a picture of a favorite snack, the logo of a sports team, a photo from a playdate.

Over months, the journal becomes a visual timeline of good memories. This is one of the most creative examples of gratitude journals for kids who are highly visual and love crafts. It also works beautifully in small counseling groups or art therapy sessions.

8. The “Classroom Gratitude Wall + Mini Journal”

Teachers often ask for examples of creative gratitude journals for kids that work with 20–30 students at once. A popular approach is to combine a shared gratitude wall with tiny personal journals.

Here’s how it works:

• Each student has a small notebook or folded booklet.
• Once or twice a week, they write or draw one gratitude entry.
• Volunteers choose one of their entries to rewrite on a sticky note or index card.
• Those cards go on a classroom “Gratitude Wall” or bulletin board.

Students get private space for personal thoughts and a public space to celebrate community. Over time, the wall fills with real examples of what kids appreciate: “Our class pet,” “When someone helped me with math,” “Recess,” “My grandma visiting from Mexico.”

This format supports social-emotional learning standards many U.S. districts are adopting, as described by organizations like CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) at https://casel.org.

How to choose the right example of a gratitude journal for your child

With so many examples of creative gratitude journals for kids, it can feel overwhelming to pick one. You don’t have to guess perfectly. Think of this as an experiment and involve the child in the decision.

A few guiding questions:

• Does this child prefer drawing, writing, talking, or moving?
• Are they more likely to use something paper-based or digital?
• Do they thrive on routine (daily entries) or flexibility (weekly projects)?

For a highly active 7-year-old, the gratitude scavenger hunt notebook may be more appealing than a quiet sketchbook. For a reflective 11-year-old who loves graphic novels, the gratitude comics journal might feel just right.

You can also combine ideas. For example, use bedtime gratitude tickets on school nights and a gratitude collage page on weekends. The best examples of creative gratitude journals for kids are the ones that your child actually wants to return to.

Gentle tips for starting a gratitude journal habit with kids

Even the most creative journal idea can flop if it feels forced. A few practical tips:

Start tiny and consistent

Instead of “We’re going to write a full page every day,” try: “Let’s draw one thing we’re grateful for before dinner.” Tiny, predictable routines are easier for kids to accept and maintain.

Model, don’t lecture

Kids watch adults more than they listen to speeches. If you keep your own mini gratitude notebook or add your own tickets, it sends a powerful message: “This matters to me too.” You can even share age-appropriate things you’re grateful for, like a quiet cup of coffee or a call from a friend.

Make it sensory and specific

Encourage kids to notice details: the sound of rain on the window, the smell of pancakes, the feeling of a soft blanket. This makes entries feel real instead of generic. Research on gratitude and mental health, such as work summarized by the National Institutes of Health (https://www.nih.gov), suggests that specific, sensory-rich gratitude practices can have stronger emotional impact.

Let hard days be honest

On tough days, a child’s journal might say, “I’m mad about my test. I guess I’m still grateful for my dog.” That’s okay. We’re not asking kids to pretend everything is fine; we’re helping them practice holding more than one feeling at a time.

Age-based examples of creative gratitude journals for kids

Different ages need different structures. Here are some real examples that tend to work well at each stage.

Early elementary (ages 5–8)

For younger kids, keep it visual and short:

• Three-color gratitude sketchbook
• Gratitude scavenger hunt notebook
• Bedtime gratitude tickets with drawings instead of words

They might only manage one entry every few days, and that’s perfectly okay. The goal is positive association, not volume.

Upper elementary (ages 9–11)

At this age, kids can handle more writing and reflection:

• Gratitude comics journal
• Feelings + gratitude regulation journal
• Weekly gratitude collage pages

You can gently introduce themes, like “people who helped me this week” or “things my body can do that I’m grateful for” (run, dance, see, hear, hug).

Middle school and early teens

Tweens and teens often prefer private, less “cute” formats:

• Digital photo + caption journal
• A simple lined notebook with one-sentence gratitudes
• A hybrid system with a notes app plus occasional printed collages

They may respond well to research-based explanations, such as how gratitude can support better sleep and mood. The Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org) notes that gratitude practices in adults are linked with improved mental health; many educators and counselors are exploring similar benefits for adolescents.

FAQs about examples of creative gratitude journals for kids

What are some easy examples of gratitude journals I can start tonight?

If you want something you can do immediately with no shopping trip, try folded-paper bedtime gratitude tickets or a simple stapled booklet with “Today I’m grateful for…” at the top of each page. Another quick example of a gratitude journal is using sticky notes on the fridge as a temporary “gratitude wall.”

Can you give an example of a gratitude journal for a child who hates writing?

Yes. The three-color sketchbook and the gratitude scavenger hunt notebook are great examples of creative gratitude journals for kids who resist writing. In both, kids can mostly draw or use symbols. You can also let them dictate their gratitude out loud while you write it for them.

How often should kids use their gratitude journals?

There’s no single right answer. Some children enjoy daily entries, while others do better with a once- or twice-a-week routine. Consistency matters more than frequency. Even using one of these examples of creative gratitude journals for kids just a few times a week can start to shift their attention toward positive moments.

Are gratitude journals appropriate for kids with anxiety or depression?

Often, yes—if they’re used gently and not as a way to dismiss real struggles. Many therapists incorporate gratitude practices as one tool among others. It’s important to validate the child’s feelings first and then invite a small, low-pressure gratitude prompt. For any concerns about anxiety or mood, families should consult a medical or mental health professional; resources from the National Institute of Mental Health (https://www.nimh.nih.gov) can be a helpful starting point.

Can these examples of creative gratitude journals for kids be used in classrooms?

Absolutely. Teachers frequently adapt these ideas for morning meetings, SEL blocks, or closing circles. The classroom gratitude wall plus mini journal system is especially teacher-friendly. You can also rotate through different formats—like comics one month and scavenger hunts the next—so students experience multiple real examples of how gratitude can look.

When you treat gratitude journaling as a playful, flexible experiment rather than a rigid assignment, kids are far more likely to engage. Try one or two of these examples of creative gratitude journals for kids, watch how your child responds, and don’t be afraid to tweak the format. The magic isn’t in the notebook itself; it’s in those small, repeated moments of noticing what’s good, even on ordinary days.