15 Thanksgiving Journal Prompts for the Whole Family

Happy Turkey Season! This time of year is filled with a lot of things: excitement, anticipation, overwhelm, and quite a bit of planning. For many, this is the kickoff to the rest of the holiday season and there’s a lot to do. With everything going on, it’s so important to slow down and find ways to savor this season—to be truly thankful and express gratitude. 

A good way to do this is with the help of a little journaling. And even if this year’s Thanksgiving planning falls on you, it’s a good idea for everyone in the family to sit down and practice some holiday reflection. 

In this post you’ll find a list of Thanksgiving themed journal prompts for the whole family to take part in. Some are intended for adults, some for the kids, and some prompts are meant to be written down and discussed together. 

Journal Prompts for Adults

1. Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving memory? Describe why this memory has stuck with you.

2. Do you have any worries about celebrating Thanksgiving this year? If you do, what can you do to help minimize the stress?

3. How do you really feel about Thanksgiving? 

4. What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food? Write about why this food is special to you and describe any smells, sights, sounds, or other memories this food evokes.

5. Are there any Thanksgiving traditions you experienced growing up that you want to continue with your own family? Or, are there any new traditions you’d like to introduce?

Journal Prompts for Kids

6. What are you thankful for this year? Write a list of the people and things you’re thankful for.

7. Think about your favorite Thanksgiving food. Write a short story involving the food, a turkey, and you. 

8. What is your favorite part of celebrating Thanksgiving?

9. Think about who in your family works the hardest to make Thanksgiving special. Write a note or poem thanking them.

10. Describe a time you felt really thankful.

Journal Prompts To Do Together

11. What is everyone most looking forward to for this year’s Thanksgiving?

12. Create a game plan about how to make this Thanksgiving less stressful and more enjoyable. Write a list of things you need to do and ways you can plan ahead.

13. Describe what thankfulness feels like to you.

14. What is something unique that your family does to celebrate this holiday?

15. Write each family members’s name down. Now, write a list of 3-5 reasons why you’re thankful for each person.

This Thanksgiving and holiday season, a little planning and gratitude can go a long way. To make journaling a little easier, use the notebook pages in the back of your Golden Coil planner to write your responses to these prompts. For your little ones’ planning and journaling needs, check out our awesome Kids Planners, too!

Writing things down is a lifelong skill that can help you work through everything from turkey season to-do lists to your feelings about the festivities. Journal and plan however you need and just remember to be thankful for yourself, too.