We're all grateful for the people and things in our life, but how often do we actually express that gratitude? I would venture to say that even the most mindful express gratitude less often than they feel it. Sometimes distance and time can make it hard to express what we feel, and for kids, sometimes shyness comes into play, which is exactly why I love simple crafts like this.
They provide a space to talk about gratitude. . .
. . . while working on. . .
. . . something. . .
. . . creative. . .
. . . and they also provide a secret, quiet way. . .
. . . to share what kids are thankful for.
Gratitude Feathers
Materials:
- Paper (white and craft paper, or children's drawings)
- Paint pencils or crayons (we like this plant based paint kit quite a bit)
- Thin bendable wire
- String (baker's twine can be a fun way to add color)
- Glue
- Scissors
Cut the wire into 10" lengths. Cut as many pieces as you would like to have feathers
Spread glue in a thin layer over the entire surface of the paper that you are using (make sure that it is a little wider than 10" so the wire doesn't stick out). If you are using children's drawings or paintings from your collection, spread the glue on the back side of the image.
Place wires on the paper about 3" apart. Put another sheet of paper on top and smooth it down all over with your fingers, paying particular attention to the aria around the wire so that there are as few bubbles as possible. Repeat as many times as necessary to make the number of feathers you would like to make or for as many place settings you will have at Thanksgiving. Set aside and allow to dry.
I made some of my feathers with white paper so that I could paint them and I made some out of brown craft paper for contrast.
When the paper is dry, cut out simple feather shapes around the wire so that the wire acts as the spine of the feather. When your shapes are cut out, paint or draw on the white ones if you didn't already start with kid's art. If you paint the feathers, allow them to dry before finishing off the edges.
Make angled cuts with scissors along the edges of all of the Feathers. Run your fingers along the edges to ruffle them up a bit and make them look more like real feathers.
Cut small tags out of paper and attach them to the ends of the feathers with string. Write "What Are You Grateful For?" on one side and leave the back blank (this is where they can write what they are grateful for). Place the feathers at each place setting and have a cup with pens or pencils on the table (or you could put a pencil at each place setting to). Leave a bowl or tray on the table or in a special spot where people can leave their gratitude tags at their own time.
If you'd like read the anonymous tags at the end of the night so everyone can appreciate all of the gratitude your time together brought about.
Happy Crafting!
~ Sarah
*Last time in Crafts and Activities: DIY Lanterns
