Hey there! Happy Thanksgiving! I want to get a quick post up about something special and simple we’ve been doing this week in art class for the holiday. This is a great art project for kids and you likely have most of the materials at home already and if you don’t, you can easily sub some things out so that you do.

I am all about gratitude. It’s the fastest way I know to tap into positive energy and get out of an emotional slump, so if you’re not already doing so, start talking about gratitude with your kids. Just look around. There are so many things to be grateful for. And, if you like this idea, also check out our Gratitude Boxes from a few years back. Those were a big hit too.

Here’s what you’ll need…

Supplies

a stick

beads

air dry clay OR cut out circles from card stock or cardboard

a hole punch

yarn

wire or string

sharpies or other markers

STEPS

1. We made air dry clay nature prints by following The Artful Parents process here. It’s a fantastic process, but if that feels like too much, then you can skip this part and just cut out some circles out of card stock or watercolor paper or cardboard. Have your child draw on them or paint on them things they are grateful for. If they are very young they can just draw whatever marks they want. I would recommend doing three or four. Hole punch these for later.

2. Pick out a stick and show your child how to wrap yarn around the stick. I first tie a knot at the end of the yarn to the stick. I demonstrate a few ways to wrap, including turning the stick round and round on the table and holding the stick with one hand and wrapping with the other. Sometimes it takes a minute for each child to find their groove but they usually do, and you can always offer some help here. Wrap as many colors you want around the stick.

3. Cut about a foot worth of wire and wrap the end around the stick and invite your child to bead it. At the end you’re going to attach the clay nature prints or the circles your child made. Twist the wire around the hole punch to secure.

4. Lastly, either on a cut out tag shape, or on the back of the circles your child drew, write down what they are grateful for. Older kids can do this for themselves. Tie a piece of string or yarn to either side of the stick for hanging.

As you can see, these kids were super proud of their gratitude mobiles. I even got mentioned on a few of the tags as someone they felt grateful for, which put a big ol’ smile on my face.