Thankfulness Tree
The Thankfulness Tree activity encourages participants to reflect on what they are grateful for, creating a visual representation in the space. This method helps build connections among participants and can serve as a closing activity for workshops or sessions.
How to run it
- 1
Find a suitable space and tape paper on a wall, door, or board to serve as the tree trunk and branches.
- 2
Give each participant a piece of paper and ask them to trace their hand and cut out the shape.
- 3
Instruct them to write down things they are grateful for on their hand cutouts.
- 4
Have participants tape their hand shapes to the tree.
Tips
Encourage participants to share their thoughts with the group while decorating the tree.
Consider adding prompts for gratitude to help participants express their feelings.
Remind everyone that this is a safe space for sharing.
Variations
Adapt the method by using different shapes or colors for specific themes of gratitude, or have participants share their gratitude verbally before adding to the tree.
Where it fits
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Thankfulness Tree?â–¾
Use Thankfulness Tree when you want to: team kickoff; retrospective closing; group reflection; end-of-year celebration; appreciation ceremony.
How long does Thankfulness Tree take?â–¾
Thankfulness Tree typically takes 5–15 minutes.
How many participants does Thankfulness Tree work for?â–¾
Thankfulness Tree works best for groups of 2 or more.
What materials do I need for Thankfulness Tree?â–¾
Thankfulness Tree requires no special materials — just participants and a space.
How difficult is Thankfulness Tree to facilitate?â–¾
Thankfulness Tree is rated beginner — straightforward to facilitate even without prior experience.
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Try it freeMethod descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from SessionLab. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.