Hi, I’m the creator behind Sue’s Imaginarium. In my video "Grandma’s Gratitude Jar," I share a gentle, heart-warming idea that helped little Sue turn boredom into bright, everyday joy. Here on the page I’ll walk you through exactly how to create your own Gratitude Jar, why it works, and fun ways to make it a meaningful family or classroom habit.
Why a Gratitude Jar Works
Gratitude is the simple practice of noticing and appreciating the small blessings around us. For children, gratitude can feel big when we make it playful and tangible. That’s where the Gratitude Jar comes in: a colourful, personalised container filled with notes about things that made you smile.
When children write or draw what they’re thankful for and drop it into the jar, they’re building a daily habit of noticing goodness. Later, on sad or slow days, they can open the jar and read those notes to remember all the tiny moments that bring joy. It’s an easy tool to lift spirits and grow emotional resilience.
Benefits at a Glance
Boosts mood: Reviewing positive moments reminds kids of happy experiences.
Builds awareness: Encourages noticing everyday blessings — family, friends, sunny days, silly games.
Encourages expression: Kids practise writing or drawing feelings and memories.
Creates a shared ritual: Perfect for family time or classroom routines.
How to Make Your Own Gratitude Jar
Making a Gratitude Jar is quick, cheap and a lovely craft activity to do with children. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide you can follow right now.
What you’ll need:
An empty jar or container (jam jar, plastic tub, mason jar — anything works)
Paper cut into small pieces or colourful sticky notes
Stickers, glitter, markers, paint or anything for decorating
A pen or crayons for writing or drawing
Step-by-step:
Find an empty jar — it can be a jam jar or any container you like.
Decorate the jar together. Use stickers, drawings, paint or glitter. Make it your happy jar — add hearts, rainbows, anything that makes it special.
Cut small pieces of paper or gather colourful sticky notes.
Every day, encourage children to write or draw one thing they’re thankful for and put it in the jar.
On days when someone feels sad, bored or blue, open the jar and read the notes one by one to bring smiles back.
WATCH VIDEO HERE :
What to Put in the Jar: Prompts and Ideas:
Young children sometimes need a little help thinking of things to write. Here are playful prompts you can use:
“Today I’m thankful for...”
“One thing that made me laugh today was...”
“A person I’m grateful for is...”
“A sound I love is...” (e.g. birds, laughter, a favourite song)
Draw: a favourite food, a fun game, or a happy face
Mix drawing and writing for different ages. Younger children can draw pictures while older kids can write short notes. Keep the prompts light and fun — the goal is regular practice, not perfection.
Ways to Use the Gratitude Jar:
The jar can be used at home, in the classroom, or anywhere you want to cultivate positivity. Here are some simple routines and activities:
Daily drop: Make it part of morning or bedtime — each person adds a note once a day.
Family sharing time: Once a week, read a handful of notes aloud and celebrate together.
Comfort jar: Keep the jar handy for tough moments — reading the notes can lift spirits fast.
Seasonal themes: Try a “thankful for autumn” or “summer joys” jar for themed months.
Classroom practice: Use the jar for circle time to help children practice gratitude and listening.
Sing Along: A Little Gratitude Song
We also included a cheerful song to make the habit even more fun. Singing about gratitude helps children remember the practice and associate it with joy. Here’s a short excerpt you can sing together:
"Put it in the jar, drop it in the jar — things I'm thankful for, near and far. Watch my joy go up like a shooting star."
Singing the refrain while adding notes turns the ritual into something children look forward to. Try chanting it when you drop a note into the jar.
Tips for Parents and Teachers:
1. Keep expectations low: even one short note a week builds the habit.
2. Celebrate small wins: praise effort and thoughtfulness rather than grammar or spelling.
3. Model gratitude: share your own notes to show how everyone benefits.
4. Rotate prompts: change ideas so the practice stays fresh and creative.
Conclusion: Small Notes, Big Joy
The Gratitude Jar is a tiny, magical tool: cheap to make, easy to keep, and powerful in its effect. By collecting small, thankful moments we give ourselves a simple way to remember the bright parts of life. Whether at home or in class, this playful habit helps children notice blessings, express feelings, and lift their spirits when they need it most.
From Sue’s Imaginarium: grab a jar, decorate it with love, and start dropping in the little moments that make your heart sing. Watch your joy grow — one note at a time.
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