Gratitude Fridge Magnets Craft for Kids

Written by Ashlee Kasten

Published on November 28, 2023

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‘Tis the season for thankful hearts. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many parents are looking for ways to encourage a spirit of gratitude in their homes. Look no further than this inexpensive and practical craft. 

My husband and I have the privilege of pastoring a church in our area. With this privilege, comes the responsibility to help our congregation develop kind and grateful hearts that reflect the Lord. We have found that as much as we pour into the congregation, it’s equally important to pour into our own home. 

This requires us to provide our children with instruction on and opportunities for gratitude. We want them to understand that a thankful heart is not only healing to your soul but it will spring forth joy to all around you. Gratitude is a necessary attribute! 

What better time for a gratitude craft, than in the days leading up to Thanksgiving? These Gratitude Fridge Magnets are easy and inexpensive to make. They are sure to help your child see opportunities for thankfulness all around them. 

Gratitude Fridge Magnets: What You’ll Need

With just a few supplies, you can create a variety of gratitude frames. Here’s what you’ll need:

Materials: 

• Magnetic Frames 
• Scrapbook Paper
• Photos
• Markers

Other Equipment: 

• Scissors
• Glue

Magnetic Photo Frames for Refrigerator

• Excellent presentation: These simple and stylish magnetic picture frame can perfectly showcase every memorable moment you freeze, such as photos of you and your family, scenery on the road, and children’s artistic paintings,the magnetic frame designed specifically for 4×6 inch photos.
• High-quality: Our magnetic picture frame maintains an extremely thin appearance while also having strong suction. Even if you forcefully open and close the refrigerator door, magnetic frame can be well fixed on the refrigerator, perfectly displaying your photos on the surface of magnetic objects.
• Tearable film:Magnetic Photo Frames for Refrigerator 4×6” made of high transparency PVC material, ensuring clear display of photos without yellowing over time. Attention: To prevent scratches during transportation that may affect photo display, the surface of these magnetic picture frame is covered with a layer of removable film. Please remove them when receiving the frame to better display your photo.
• Easy to use: These refrigerator magnets for pictures can better save your photos, and The horizontal opening makes it easier to place photos. Easy to clean – just wipe the surface with a damp cloth.

$6.49

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Directions:

Step 1: Clear off a work surface so your child can spread out their supplies and have enough room to work. 

Step 2: Brainstorm with your child. Help them come up with a list of things they are thankful for. Think about places you have been, people you know, pets you have, or other items you might have pictures of. 

The photographs are going to serve as visual reminders of what your child can be thankful for throughout the month. (Much like our Affirmation Backpack Buddy Keychains are a visual reminder of who they are.) 

If you don’t have pictures of the items your child lists, that’s okay. Your child can always draw a picture instead.

Helpful hint: If your child gets stuck and can’t think of anything, this is a great opportunity to direct their attention to all their blessings. Remind them of the trips you’ve taken, the car you drive, the house you live in, etc. Often, children don’t realize how many blessings they have until they count them up. 

Step 3: Print out some pictures of the things your child lists. If they are having a hard time picking just a few, ask them if there are any items on the list more special than others. 

Print the pictures in a smaller size than 4×6. A 2×3 is perfect, as it will give room for a frame around it in the fridge magnet. You might also be able to cut a 4×6 photo down to leave room for the frame. 

Step 4: Cut a piece of paper into a 4×6 rectangle. This will serve as the frame around the photo. Your child will use this paper to attach decorative paper, their photo, and a special verse or description about the picture. 

Step 5: Cut the scrapbook paper into 1-inch wide strips. 

Step 6: Let your child pick what they’d like to use and show them how to glue each strip on the paper. They can lay them in rows, columns, or diagonal patterns. They will hang over the edge, but that’s okay.

Step 7: Cut off the extra pieces of scrapbook paper that hang over the edges. 

Step 8: Glue on the photo. 

Step 9: Add a small rectangular piece of paper that you or your child can write on. They can include a special verse about thankfulness or write a description of what they are thankful for.   

What can I use instead of magnetic frames?

The magnetic frames add protection to the photo and make it simple to put together. However, you can make these using magnetic tape and cardstock paper instead. 

Simply assemble the craft with a sturdy cardstock backing. Then add strips of magnetic tape to the back.

What can my child use for decorations on the frame? 

There are a variety of ways your child can decorate the frame. You can choose scrapbook paper in bright colors for fun pops of color. You can also add small embellishments like sequins, stickers, or glitter. 

Just be careful not to add embellishments that make the paper too heavy. This might prevent the frame from sticking to the fridge. 

What are some example verses we can use? 

The Bible is full of verses on Thankfulness. I like using simple ones so that my children can easily read them or memorize them. Part of cultivating a heart of gratitude is teaching your children to recall Bible verses on thankfulness when they’re feeling sad or ungrateful. 

Here are some of our favorite verses for gratitude: 

• Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever. Psalms 118:29
• Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalms 100:4-5
• Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2
• I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalms 9:1

How can I use this craft to encourage thankfulness in my home? 

As your child is making the craft, encourage them to find as many things to be thankful for as they can. 

I’ve found that it helps me to study other countries with my children. When I give my children a whole-world view, it’s easier for them to appreciate what we have. Common items like paper and pen, a new pair of shoes, or running water, suddenly become like rare treasures in their eyes. 

Since your child’s creation will hang in a common area, there will be daily opportunities to practice gratitude. I like to lead my children in prayers of thankfulness to the Lord throughout the week. As you sit down for dinner or put your children to bed, have them verbalize their gratitude to the Lord for things both big and small. 

Daily practice of gratitude will, over time, create in your children thankful hearts.

How else can I encourage thankfulness in my home?

Here are a few other fun ways to celebrate thankfulness in your home:

Gratitude Jar

Create a place for the whole family to give thanks. Place a jar in a common area. If you’d like you can create a label for it that says “gratitude jar.” 

Cut small strips of paper and lay them by the jar with pens or pencils. Challenge each family to find one thing each day in November to be thankful for. Write down these items and add them to the jar each day.

When you get to the end of the month, read each slip of paper together as a family. You might even celebrate the month of thankfulness with a special treat and a family night together. 

Sing Songs of Thankfulness 

One of the best ways to create a joyful atmosphere in your home is to play songs that give thanks to the Lord. Here are some of our favorite songs: 

• I Thank God by Maverick City 
• Gratitude by Brandon Lake 
• Grateful by Elevation Worship

What activities can I add to this craft for enrichment? 

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I Am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids

• Wall, Sheri (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 56 Pages – 08/11/2020 (Publication Date) – Rockridge Press (Publisher)

$7.99 −$1.17 $6.82

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Here are a few ways to extend this activity:

• Read the book I Am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids Paperback by Sheri Wall
• Memorize scriptures on thankfulness using these Bible Memory Verse Bracelets
• Write thank you notes with your child to family and friends
• Create this Turkey Squash Craft to gear up for Thanksgiving.

Why is it important for my kids to practice gratitude?

Thankfulness is about so much more than just good manners and polite responses. Though manners matter, teaching your children to be thankful is about training their hearts to find the good in things. If your children know how to be thankful, they’ll be able to stay positive even when times are tough. 

This skill will not only create a joyful attitude in their own heart but will also affect those around them. People who know how to give thanks in all circumstances are usually very pleasant to be around and are valuable contributors to the workplace and community.