Thankful Baby Storytime
Celebrate gratitude and Thanksgiving with these baby storytime books, movement songs, and play ideas! I recommend repeating many of your rhymes and movement songs each week (repetition is key for cognitive development!), but sprinkling in new songs and activities like the ones below will keep things fresh and exciting. Visit The Youth Desk’s Baby Storytime page for more detailed guidance.
Baby Storytime Books About Thankfulness
Thankful Baby Storytime Songs & Rhymes
Here are my favorite gratitude-themed movement songs for babies. Encourage caregivers to gently move their baby’s hands, arms, etc.
If You’re Thankful & You Know It
If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re thankful and you know it, and you really wanna show it,
If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands.
…Give a hug
…Say, “Thank You”
(Credit: The Loudest Librarian)
My Hands Say Thank You
My hands say thank you with a clap, clap, clap
My feet say thank you with a tap, tap, tap
My body says thank you with a shake, shake shake
My heart says thank you with a kiss to take!
(Credit: King County Library System)
Where is Thumbkin?
Where is Thumbkin, where is Thumbkin?
Here I am, here I am,
How are you today, Friend?
Very well, I thank you.
Run and hide, run and hide.
“Thanks A Lot” by Raffi
A calming song you can sway to with scarves or enjoy in the background during baby playtime.
Thanks a lot, thanks for Sun in the sky.
Thanks a lot, thanks for clouds so high.
Thanks a lot, thanks for whispering wind.
Thanks a lot, thanks for the birds in the spring.
Thanks a lot, thanks for the moonlit night.
Thanks a lot, thanks for the stars so bright.
Thanks a lot, thanks for the wondering me.
Thanks a lot, thanks for the way I feel.
Thanks for the animals,
Thanks for the land,
Thanks for the people everywhere.
Thanks a lot, thanks for all I’ve got.
Thanks for all I’ve got.
Please and Thank You Sign Language Song
Sing to the tune “Frere Jacques” and use the following sign language for each word and phrase.
Please and thank you (Signs for please and thank you)
Please and thank you (Signs for please and thank you)
I love you (Sign for I love you)
I love you (Sign for I love you)
I’m so grateful for you (give a big hug)
I’m so grateful for you (give a big hug)
I love you (Sign for I love you)
I love you (Sign for I love you)
Thankful Baby Craft & Playtime
Ending storytime with free play is an excellent way for babies and caregivers to socialize and observe others. You don’t need anything fancy. Setting out blocks, musical instruments, or bean bags would suffice, but here are some gratitude-themed ideas to further enhance your program.
Thankful Turkey Handprint Cards
Help families make their own cards to give to loved ones. Download and print this Thankful card template on cardstock. Provide caregivers with stamp pads, such as the ReignDrop Ink Pads for Baby Handprints, markers, and wet wipes. They can do baby handprints or turn them into turkeys!
Thank You Sign Language Poster
Encourage caregivers to use the sign for “thank you” with their little one. You can print this poster to display or make copies for caregivers to take home.
