Gratitude Leaves - A Mindful, Autumn-Themed Printable For Practising Gratitude

Gratitude Leaves - A Mindful Autumn Activity for Calm, Connection, and Positivity

Autumn is a season of change, leaves turning golden, days growing shorter, and routines settling in after the busyness of summer. It’s also the perfect time to pause, reflect, and appreciate the good things in our lives.

Our Gratitude Leaves activity sheet was created to help children do exactly that, to slow down, tune into the present moment, and recognise everything they have to be thankful for.

Whether used as a standalone wellbeing activity or paired with our October Meditation, this printable provides a simple yet powerful way to support children’s mental health, emotional resilience, and sense of calm through mindful reflection.

About This Resource

This gentle, creative activity features a beautifully designed worksheet with seven autumn leaves, ready for children to fill with words or drawings of things they’re grateful for. Each leaf becomes a little space for reflection - a place to name something good, comforting, or meaningful in their lives.

The activity encourages children to slow down and notice the positives, even on days when they might be feeling worried, overwhelmed, or sad. As they write or draw, they begin to reframe their thoughts, focusing on what is going well - friends, family, favourite memories, or even small joys like a cosy jumper, cuddles, or playing outside.

Once complete, the leaves can be coloured and decorated, then cut out and displayed around the classroom or at home. You can turn them into a Gratitude Garland or a Mindful Display Board, where each child’s leaf adds to a collective celebration of thankfulness and togetherness.

Why Gratitude Matters for Children’s Mental Health

Gratitude isn’t just about saying “thank you.” It’s about helping children develop a mindset that notices and appreciates the good, something that’s vital for building emotional wellbeing and resilience.

Research in child psychology and positive education consistently shows that practising gratitude can:

Reduce stress and anxiety levels in children.
Improve sleep quality and emotional regulation.
Increase happiness, empathy, and optimism.
Strengthen relationships and social connection.
Build resilience against negative thinking patterns.

When children regularly take time to reflect on what they’re thankful for, their brains begin to look for more positive experiences throughout the day. Gratitude literally rewires the brain to focus on hope, joy, and appreciation, helping children find balance, even when things feel difficult.

The Gratitude Leaves activity translates this research-backed concept into a child-friendly, hands-on activity that feels light, creative, and fun. Instead of being told to “be positive,” children get to think of thankfulness as fun -using imagination, colour, and personal reflection.

How Gratitude Supports Emotional Regulation

For many children, autumn can bring emotional ups and downs. The excitement of a new school year often shifts into tiredness or anxiety as routines settle and days grow darker. Gratitude-based mindfulness activities like this one can help children reconnect with calm and stability.

By focussing on what makes them feel safe, happy, or loved, children naturally lower their stress response. Gratitude activates the parasympathetic nervous system - the body’s “rest and relax” mode - helping reduce tension and restore emotional balance.

When a child spends a few quiet minutes colouring or writing something positive, their breathing slows, their focus sharpens, and their heart rate steadies. The Gratitude Leaves Autumn Printable becomes not just an art activity, but a moment of self-regulation and peace.

Teachers and parents often notice that after completing this kind of exercise, children are more settled, cooperative, and kind toward others. It’s a simple, screen-free way to help kids reset and build self-awareness.

Using Gratitude Leaves as a Standalone Activity

The Gratitude Leaves Printable can be used on its own as a calming autumn classroom activity, a wellbeing lesson starter, or even a quiet reflection activity at home.

Here are a few ways teachers and parents can use it effectively:

Morning Mindfulness Routine: Begin the day by having children fill in one leaf with something they’re thankful for. Over the week, they’ll complete all seven leaves, a gentle routine that starts each day with positivity.
Circle Time Reflection: Use the activity as a group discussion starter. After filling in their leaves, children can (if comfortable) share one thing they’ve written or drawn, helping to build empathy and connection.
Creative Display: Cut out and hang the leaves around the classroom or on a “Gratitude Tree.” Watching their leaves join together creates a visible symbol of community and shared kindness.
Home Connection: Send the printable home to encourage family mindfulness. Parents and siblings can join in, turning it into a family gratitude tree for the kitchen or living room.
Wellbeing Corners: Keep copies of the worksheet in your school’s calm or reflection area, where children can complete one quietly when they need a moment of calm.

Because the activity is open-ended, it can be tailored for different ages and abilities. Younger children might draw pictures or use simple words, while older students can write full sentences or reflect more deeply on personal growth or relationships.

Combine with Our October Meditation: Gratitude Leaves

To deepen the experience, this printable pairs beautifully with our October meditation, Gratitude Leaves. The guided meditation script invites children to imagine standing under a golden autumn tree, watching colourful leaves fall, each one carrying something they are thankful for.

After listening to the meditation, children can move into the worksheet - turning their visualisation into something tangible. Each leaf they colour and fill in becomes a reflection of the gratitude they explored in their minds.

Used together, the meditation and printable create a complete mindfulness session that blends imagination, reflection, and creativity. It helps children:

Feel calm and focused through guided breathing.
Visualise positive memories and experiences.
Translate those feelings into written or artistic gratitude.
Share their reflections with others, building confidence and connection.

This approach bridges mindful thinking with creative expression, giving children a holistic experience that benefits both their emotional and cognitive development.

Educational and Emotional Benefits

The Gratitude Leaves Printable supports several key areas of personal and social education (PSE) and emotional learning:

Mindfulness & Self-Awareness: Encourages children to pause and recognise their emotions in the present moment.
Empathy & Social Connection: Promotes kindness and appreciation for others’ actions and presence.
Resilience & Positivity: Helps children find strength and joy in everyday moments, even during change or tough times.
Creativity & Expression: Allows for free expression through drawing, writing, and colouring - a mindful art practice that supports concentration and flow.

For educators and professionals, it’s also a powerful tool for assessing children’s wellbeing in a non-intrusive way. The words and images children choose often reflect what matters most to them, giving you an insight into their emotional world and support needs.

Creating a Mindful Autumn Display!

Once complete, the leaves can be cut out and displayed to create a Gratitude Garland, Thankfulness Tree, or Wall of Warmth.

Add fairy lights, autumn colours, or nature elements like twigs and pinecones to make the display even more inviting. You might even add new leaves each week throughout October and November, allowing your gratitude garden to grow as the season unfolds.