Simple Family Ministry Thanksgiving Idea: Tree of Thanks
Need a family ministry Thanksgiving idea? Create a Tree of Thanks for families at church to display what they’re grateful for!
You’ll Need:
- 1 dry branch (about 2 feet long)
- 1 quart size mason jar
- smooth river stones
- decorative moss
- 12-inch ribbon
- metal rim marking tags
- pens
Build the Tree of Thanks
You can build your own Tree of Thanks by following these steps:
- In your yard, a park, or your church grounds, search for a fallen, roughly 2-foot branch that has other smaller branches still attached to it. Once you’ve found a suitable branch, place one end of it into a quart-size mason jar.
- Then secure and stabilize the branch by filling the jar with smooth river stones and top the stones off with decorative moss.
- Tie a ribbon around the top of the jar.
- Then set out a bowl of metal rim marking tags and pens.
Invite Families to Get Involved
Tell families in your church where the Tree of Thanks will be located. Share the following instructions with families:
When you or someone in your family thinks of something they’re grateful for, write one word to describe that thing on one of the tags. Then tie the tag onto a branch of the Tree of Thanks—as if it’s a leaf. You can add thankfulness “leaves” throughout the Thanksgiving season.
Start the Tree of Thanks as a fun Thanksgiving tradition and keep it displayed year-round as a reminder of the many things you’re thankful for. It’s exciting to see the tree branches slowly fill up with “leaves” of thanks!
And for more seasonal inspiration, explore the robust resources of Team Family. The year-round guides give you a variety of seasonal activities and events you can choose from to easily plug into your family ministry plan! Plus! The seasonal Team Family PowerPaks are filled with a variety of engaging, faith-building activities for families to do at home—they can do it all or select what works for them.
Check out all these great ideas for Thanksgiving. And for even more ideas for your children’s ministry and daily posts of inspiration, follow us on Facebook!
