This November, we’re blending two things families need more of: financial skills and gratitude.
Even in our digital world, checks still show up. School fees. Sports registrations. Camp deposits. Church envelopes. Your kids will eventually need to know how to write one—and more importantly, they need to understand that a check is a promise.
That’s where our Gratitude Checks activity comes in.
What Are Gratitude Checks?
Think of it as financial education meets Thanksgiving spirit. Your child learns the anatomy of a check—date, payee, dollar amount, signature, memo line—while writing “thank you” notes that actually mean something.
Here’s how it works:
DOWNLOAD THE FREE ACTIVITY SHEET HERE
- Pick someone to thank (Dad, Grandma, a sibling, the neighbor)
- Assign a playful value (A hug = $1 million? Doing the dishes = $5? You decide.)
- Fill out the check in both numbers and words (sneaky math practice!)
- Deliver it—and honor the promise when it gets “cashed”
Your child writes “One Million and 00/100” for helping with homework. They sign their name. And when Dad cashes it in? They deliver that million-dollar hug.
Why This Works
Kids learn by doing. This activity teaches:
- Reading and spelling numbers (in digits and words)
- Following step-by-step directions (just like filling out real financial forms)
- Responsibility (a check is a promise—so follow through!)
- Gratitude in action (not just saying thanks, but showing it)
Plus, it’s a natural conversation starter. “Why do we still use checks?” “What does ‘pay to the order of’ mean?” “How do banks work?” These questions lead to bigger money conversations.
Try This at Your Thanksgiving Table
Here’s a simple way to use Gratitude Checks this month:
Have each family member write one check before Thanksgiving dinner. Put them in a basket. After the meal, everyone draws one and has to “cash it” within the week. A grandparent might get a check for “reading me a story.” A sibling might receive one for “letting me pick the movie.”
The checks go on the fridge. The follow-through happens at home. And suddenly, gratitude isn’t just a word—it’s something you do.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE ACTIVITY SHEET HERE
Available Free—No Strings Attached
You can pick up printed copies at any Chief Financial Credit Union branch, or download the activity sheet right here. No email required. No account needed.
We believe financial education should be accessible to everyone. This is just one small way we’re supporting families in building real-world money skills—one check, one thank-you, one moment of gratitude at a time.