How Grandmothers Can Teach Their Grandchildren to Appreciate What They Have

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As grandmas, we all want our grandkids to grow up kind, thankful, and full of joy.

And here’s the truth—gratitude is the secret ingredient to helping them live happy, positive lives. When kids learn to say “thank you” and notice the good around them, it changes everything.

So, let’s share some of our grandma wisdom and teach them how to be more thankful in fun and simple ways!

In this list, I’ll show you some sweet and easy ideas to help our grandkids grow big hearts—like making a gratitude board or saying thank-you prayers at bedtime. Let’s grab our granny glasses and get started!

1. Talk About the Good Stuff

Take a quiet moment—maybe right before bedtime or during a cozy chat—to ask your grandchild, “What made you smile today?” Help them think about the little things they’re thankful for, like a kind friend, a yummy snack, or a sunny day. These moments help them notice the good around them and grow a thankful heart.

2. Make Gratitude a Fun Habit

One sweet way to teach thankfulness is to do it together! Try making a “gratitude jar.” Each person writes something they’re thankful for on a small piece of paper and drops it into the jar. Then, at family dinners or visits, take turns pulling one out and reading it. It’s a simple way to share smiles and remind everyone how blessed we are.

3. Show the Joy of Giving

Kids learn a lot by doing. Take your grandchild with you to volunteer at a local food pantry or help gather clothes and toys to give to children who need them. When they see how good it feels to help others, they’ll start to feel even more thankful for the things they have—and more caring toward those around them.

Read Also: 45 Simple Acts of Kindness to Do With Your Grandkids

4. Slow Down and Be Mindful

Teach your grandkids to enjoy the moment. Go on quiet walks together and point out the birds singing, flowers blooming, or the way the breeze feels. Help them take deep breaths when they feel upset or overwhelmed. Little by little, they’ll learn how to slow down and notice the beauty all around them.

5. Make Thankfulness a Daily Habit

Set aside a few minutes each day to think about happy moments. Maybe they want to draw a picture, write in a journal, or just talk with you about what made them smile. As grandmas, we can gently guide them by asking, “What was the best part of your day?” These small moments help thankfulness grow naturally in their hearts.

6. Show Them with Your Actions

Kids learn best by watching us. Say “thank you” often—whether it’s to a store clerk or a friend. Hold the door open for others, share kind words at dinner, or point out the good in each day. When they see us being kind and grateful, they’ll want to do the same.

7. Share Stories from the Heart

Telling stories is a wonderful way to help grandkids understand what gratitude really means. Share a memory from your childhood—maybe a time when someone gave you a special gift, or when a friend helped you through a hard day. These real-life stories help kids see thankfulness in action and learn how to appreciate the little moments in their own lives.

8. Make a Gratitude Board

Let’s turn thankfulness into something fun and hands-on! Help your grandchild make a gratitude board using a poster or bulletin board. They can add pictures, drawings, kind words, or notes about the things they’re thankful for. Let them decorate it with stickers or bright markers. It’s a beautiful way to remind them how much good there is in their world.

9. Enjoy Food with a Thankful Heart

Mealtime can be a special moment to slow down and be thankful. Teach your grandkids to take small bites, enjoy the flavors, and be grateful for the food on their plate. You can even talk about where the food came from—like who grew the vegetables or cooked the meal. These little conversations help them see food not just as something to eat, but as a gift to be appreciated.

10. Say Thank You Before You Eat

One sweet way to grow a thankful heart is by giving thanks before meals. You can invite your grandchild to say a little prayer or simply share something they’re thankful for—like the food on the table or the people around it. Making this a daily habit teaches them to pause and appreciate the good things, even the small ones.

11. Help Others Together

Volunteering as a team is a powerful way to teach kindness and gratitude. Choose something your grandchild is interested in—like helping at an animal shelter, picking up trash at the park, or packing food for families in need. Doing good together shows them how helping others feels good and makes the world a better place.

Read Also: How to Make Blessing Bags with Your Grandkids

12. Find the Bright Side

Even on tough days, there’s always a little light to be found. If your grandchild is feeling down, gently help them look for something good—like a friend who made them laugh, or a subject they enjoyed in school. By focusing on the positive, we help them build a thankful heart and learn that there’s always something to smile about.

Well, there you have it, my friend! Some sweet and simple ways to help our grandkids grow thankful hearts. Let’s keep being the fun, loving grandmas we are—and show them how to appreciate life’s little blessings. And who knows? Along the way, they might teach us a thing or two about gratitude, too!

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