Gratitude songs for kids
The Best Thanksgiving Songs for Kids
It’s almost Thanksgiving! Celebrate the day that’s full of food, family, and fun with these Thanksgiving songs for kids. Do the Turkey Hokey Pokey, count down with 10 little turkeys, and more.
Over the River and Through the Woods
Originally written as a child’s poem about Thanksgiving, this song has been a classic for years. Kids will find their parents and even grandparents likely know the words too!
Turkey Hokey Pokey
“You put your right wing in, you put your right wing out. …” You know the rest! This is one of those Thanksgiving songs that will get everyone up and dancing.
A Turkey Is a Silly Bird
Miss Nina’s song is short, sweet, and, yes, silly! Each time you sing it, you speed up, ending in a burst of gobbles that’s sure to leave kids in giggles.
Baby Shark’s Thanksgiving Day
You didn’t really think you could get through a list of Thanksgiving songs without a Baby Shark entry, did you? This one’s actually pretty cute, we promise! The members of Baby Shark’s family prepare different dishes for their celebration and give thanks together.
If You’re Thankful and You Know It
Try a Thanksgiving twist on the familiar tune. Kids will pick it up in no time!
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Gobble Gobble Turkey Wobble
Here’s another fun dance jam! Kids will definitely feel the need to get up and move.
It Smells Like Thanksgiving
This repetitive little song is peppered with fiddle-happy dance breaks. You could add some variety to it by asking kids to substitute a different Thanksgiving food at the end of each repeat.
10 Little Turkeys
Count down as each turkey flies away to hide on the advice of the little red hen. This is a cute one to have kids act out as they sing.
Turkey Stop
Kids sing and dance along with each turkey movement (strut, peck, etc.), but be sure to freeze when the song says STOP!
Thankful for Friends
Elmo and Leon Bridges join together for this sweet song about how thankful they are for their friends.
Albuquerque Turkey
Albuquerque is a turkey, and he’s the best pet you’ve ever met.
This Thanksgiving, you’ll just have to eat hamburgers instead!
The Thanksgiving Song
Brought to you by the same folks that make Sesame Street, this is one of those Thanksgiving songs that even adults can enjoy. Get ready for Thanksgiving to put you in the very best mood!
Love these Thanksgiving songs? Be sure to check out the best Thanksgiving poems for kids of all ages.
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Songs About Gratitude and Appreciation — Mindful Teachers
Gratitude
Written By Catharine Hannay
published 11/8/15; updated 5/19/22
by Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.
org
Here are a variety of songs about appreciating our circumstances and our loved ones. (This is the first of what turned out to be a very popular series of Song Playlists for Teachers.)
Teachers, please note: With such a multicultural audience teaching young children through adults, I can’t guarantee that all of the songs and videos will be appropriate for your particular context. Please preview anything you plan to share with your students.
Arigamsa, Money Master Kids TV
video
“Thank you” in 50 languages.
A Beautiful Day, india.arie
youtube video with lyrics
The Best Day, Taylor Swift
lyrics, official video (with home movies from her childhood and adolescence)
Gracias: My Thank You Song, Guillermo Echevarria
video
“Thank you” in 45 languages.
Grateful, Jewel
lyrics; audio
Grateful: A Love Song to the World, by Nimo Patel and Daniel Nahmod
lyrics; video featuring grateful adults and children from around the world
Grateful, by John Bucchino (performed by Art Garfunkel)
lyrics; audio
Gratitude Attitude, Nate Sabin and Greyley Sabin
lyrics; video
It Feels So Good to Be Living, Bill Gaither Trio
video of cover by Damon Timm, with American Sign Language by Rosa Lee Timm, + Lyrics
Kind and Generous, Nathalie Merchant
lyrics; video of live performance
My Favorite Things, Rodgers and Hammerstein
lyrics; video clip from The Sound of Music; audio of Kelly Clarkson; instrumental jazz by John Coltrane
Ode to Joy/Symphony No.
9, Ludwig van Beethoven
video of a flash mob performance, with a delighted multi-generational audience
instrumental/no lyrics
Thank Someone, Amy Grant & John Hiatt
lyrics; audio
Thank U, Alanis Morissette
lyrics; audio
Thank You, Ashanti
lyrics; audio
Thank You, Boyz II Men
lyrics; video of live performance
Thank You, Dido
lyrics; video withsign language (ASL interpretation) by Jason Listman
Thank You for Being a Friend, Andrew Gold
lyrics; video of performance by Andrew Gold; audio by Rachel Platten
Thank You (A Song for Friends & Family), Brandin Reed
video (song starts :37; I couldn't find lyrics for this one.
The description says "I've faced some serious challenges[...] there's no way I could have made it through without[...] my friends and family.")
Thank You Song in 45 Languages
video (Be sure to preview before using in your class. There's nothing offensive in the words but some of the images are an odd choice for such a family-friendly song.)
Thankful, Josh Groban
lyrics; video of cover by student a cappella group Beyond Measure (shows people holding up signs of what they're thankful for)
Thankful, Jonny Lang & Michael McDonald
lyrics; audio
Thankful, Kelly Clarkson
lyrics, audio
What a Wonderful World, Bob Thiele and George David Weiss
lyrics; Playing for Change video of children's choirs and young musicians from around the world; Auslan interpretation
Your Song, Elton John
lyrics; video
Catharine Hannay
| Hallelujah (Heart, mouth, mind and soul) |
| Bible (Wonderful, old book) |
| Bible (You children have seen many different books) |
| Bible (God's Book of Miracles) |
| Bible |
| Gratitude to God |
| God is affectionate Father and Creator |
| God, You are my God, I have been looking for You since the early dawn |
| There was one dawn |
| There was a time in Palestine |
| In endless space |
| In the manger little Christ |
| Look - in the heavens of jubilation of the song |
| Vira (Vira, vira, vira, vira in skin hour) |
| Pour love into my heart |
| Influence the heart of love |
| Questions (Mercy will give - What will give) |
| Here comes the minute |
| Everything in this world is glory to God |
| God forgave me all my sins |
The Lord says: "Come. 
|
