Family dinners can feel rushed, but they’re the perfect chance to help kids express thanks and connect. Gratitude games are simple, fun ways to get them talking about their day by sharing emotions and focusing on positives. These create meaningful moments at the table that build empathy, joy and connection.
Why Gratitude Games Work
Gratitude games aren’t just fun — they have real benefits for emotional and social development. Practicing gratitude helps children notice the positive aspects of their day and builds better mental health. When they share what they appreciate, they learn to reflect on their experiences, which can also reduce stress and improve overall mood.
Regular gratitude practices also strengthen family bonds. Taking even five minutes at the dinner table to share thoughts fosters connection, open communication and a sense of belonging. Plus, gratitude games can provide a much-needed break from screens during mealtimes, which can cause eye strain, headaches and even sleep disruptions.
The Classic Rose, Thorn, Bud Game
Rose, Thorn, Bud is a simple, adaptable game that’s perfect for family dinners. Each person takes a turn sharing:
- Rose: The best part of their day
- Thorn: A challenge or tough moment
- Bud: Something they’re looking forward to
This structure encourages children to reflect on both the highs and lows of their day while looking ahead with hope. It’s short enough to keep attention spans engaged, yet meaningful enough to spark deeper conversation.
Families can easily customize the game. For example, switch “Bud” to a seasonal or weekly theme, like a fun activity coming up or a personal goal for the week. Kids love that they get a voice at the table, and you’ll enjoy seeing them express thoughts and feelings they might not otherwise share.
Gratitude ABCs
Gratitude ABCs is a playful way to spark creativity and mindfulness. Each family member takes turns naming something they’re grateful for, starting with the next letter of the alphabet. For example, “I’m grateful for apples, blankets and clouds.”
This game works well for younger children who are learning letters, but older kids and teens enjoy the challenge, too. It encourages thinking outside the box and noticing the small joys in everyday life.
Over time, it trains kids to look for positivity throughout their day, not just the obvious moments. Plus, it adds a fun, lighthearted twist to family dinners by keeping conversation lively and engaging.
Three Good Things Challenge
The “Three Good Things” challenge is a simple, yet powerful gratitude exercise. At dinner, each family member shares three positive things from their day. These can be big achievements like finishing a school project, or small wins like getting to eat their favorite snack. Even lighthearted moments — “I didn’t spill my juice!” — count.
Research shows that regularly reflecting on positive experiences can boost mood, improve sleep and help children develop a more optimistic outlook. To make it even more engaging, families can create a “Dinner Table Gratitude Jar” and drop slips of paper with their three good things into it. Over time, the jar becomes a visual reminder of the small joys and triumphs that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Highs, Lows and Buffaloes
Highs, Lows and Buffaloes is a fun variation of the Rose, Thorn, Bud game. It keeps dinner conversations light and approachable while still giving children the chance to express a full range of emotions. Each person shares:
- High: The best part of their day
- Low: The hardest or most challenging moment
- Buffalo: Something random, funny or unexpected that happened
“Buffaloes” adds a playful twist, helping kids laugh and share silly stories alongside more serious reflections. It works well for families with kids of different ages because it allows everyone to participate on their own level. As a bonus, you can encourage kids to illustrate their “Buffalos” on sticky notes or a whiteboard for a visual memory board that captures the family’s laughter and shared moments.
The Thankful Tag Game
The Thankful Tag Game adds movement and creativity to dinner-time gratitude. One person starts as “it” and names something they’re grateful for, then “tags” the next person by giving a related theme, such as “something in nature” or “a family member.” The tagged person shares their gratitude and continues the chain.
This game encourages active listening, connection and quick thinking. It’s especially helpful for shy kids who might find participating easier when the prompts are structured. At the same time, it keeps dinner lively and interactive, turning mealtime into an enjoyable group activity rather than a routine chore.
You could also turn it into a more interactive game by creating gratitude trees, where the person whose turn it is to share their gratitude adds the item to a piece of paper shaped like a leaf that can be added to a craft tree. Families can rotate themes each night or week to keep the game fresh, which makes it easy to integrate into regular routines while promoting connection and gratitude.
Making Gratitude Games a Habit
The key to long-term benefits is consistency. Rotate the games weekly or daily, and don’t stress about following the rules to the dot. Ask open-ended questions like, “What made you smile today?” or “Who helped you out this week?” to keep conversations flowing naturally.
Over time, these simple practices help kids reflect on their day and tune into their emotions. Small daily moments of gratitude reinforce positive thinking, foster family bonds and create a sense of shared joy. By keeping it simple and fun, you can turn dinner into a reliable space for mindful connection.
From Thorns to Roses, and Everything in Between
Gratitude games transform ordinary meals into meaningful moments. From sharing highs, lows, and silly “Buffalos” to playing Thankful Tag or the classic Rose, Thorn, Bud, these simple rituals encourage children to recognize the little joys, navigate challenges and connect with loved ones. Start tonight, and you might discover how a few minutes of mindful sharing can turn dinner into your family’s favorite part of the day.
