Classroom GamesNo. 4080 · The 2026 edition
The Gratitude Game: A Pick-Up Sticks Twist Your Kids Will Actually Love
A fresh twist on pick-up sticks that turns family game night into a gratitude practice kids actually enjoy!
Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at playpartygame.com.
This game puts a thankfulness spin on classic pick-up sticks. Players take turns delicately removing one stick from the pile, checking its color, and then expressing one thing they appreciate. Whichever player accumulates the most sticks by the end wins.
Directions
- Collect all 50 sticks and hold them in one hand, upright, with the tips resting on the table.
- Let go so the sticks fall and scatter randomly. That messy pile is your playing field.
- The youngest player goes first. On your turn, try to slide out one stick without disturbing any others.
- If you successfully remove a stick without moving the pile, note its color and say something you're grateful for aloud. Then keep the stick.
- If another stick moves while you're pulling, your turn ends and you don't get the stick. Play passes to the next person.
- Keep taking turns until all the sticks have been claimed.
- The player who collected the most sticks wins the game.
More photos
Photos hosted by playpartygame.com.
