King David is one of the greatest examples of a thankful heart in all of Scripture. From the psalms he wrote, we see a man who continually stopped to praise God for His goodness — for answered prayer, for joy, for the beauty of the earth. This fun Bible game called “David Thanked God” helps young children learn to do the same!
I created this game for one of my Thanksgiving chapel programs and it quickly became a favorite. It uses simple visuals that children can hold, making it hands-on, engaging, and perfect for preschool and early
elementary kids.
This Bible game for young children will help kids grow in gratitude, and here’s everything you need to get started:
How to Prepare “David Thanked God”
Choose 5 or more psalms written by David that show him giving thanks for different things. Here are the five I use:
- Psalm 28:6 — David thanked God for prayer
- Psalm 16:11 — David thanked God for joy
- Psalm 139:14 — David thanked God for our bodies
- Psalm 33:5 — David thanked God for the earth
- Psalm 56:10-11 — David thanked God for God’s Word
Once you’ve chosen your verses, download the pictures below and attach them to paint sticks to create simple posters. Your children will hold these during the game!
How to Play “David Thanked God”
Read one of your chosen verses out loud. Use the downloadable PowerPoint slides (below) to display the verse visually — or print them and place them on an easel. After reading the verse, help the children figure out who is holding the picture that matches what David is thanking God for. Have that child come forward and encourage the class to say together:
“David thanked God for the earth! Thank you, God!”
Continue through all your chosen verses. Have fun!
At the end, encourage your young children to think of other things they can thank God for. Look around your classroom or home and have them shout out things they see: “Thank you, God, for ________!”
Want to see how this game works? Watch this short sample to get a feel for how to use the slides in your classroom:
Suggestions for Success
- Print the pictures on card stock and laminate them for long-term use.
- For “prayer,” “joy,” and “our bodies” — place a paint stick between the two pictures to create a double-sided poster. For “Bible” and “earth” — print two copies and glue them back to back.
- Recite a simple “thank you” prayer together after each verse to reinforce the lesson.
- This game works beautifully as a Thanksgiving chapel activity or any time you’re teaching on gratitude.
🎵 Pair It With This Song!
This game pairs perfectly with my original Bible song, “Thank You, God, for Everything!” Watch the animated video below and teach your kids this catchy tune to reinforce the message of David’s thankfulness!
Free Downloadable Files
8 pictures representing the 5 things David thanked God for (8.5 x 11 inches each):
- Picture One – Prayer Red
- Picture Two – Prayer Blue
- Picture Three – Joyful Boy
- Picture Four – Joyful Girl
- Picture Five – Body of Boy
- Picture Six – Body of Girl
- Picture Seven – Bible (Print 2)
- Picture Eight – Earth (Print 2)
5 PowerPoint slides for your presentation:
- Psalm 28:6 – Prayer
- Psalm 16:11 – Joy
- Psalm 139:14 – Our Bodies
- Psalm 33:5 – The Earth
- Psalm 56:10-11 – God’s Word
1 paint stick label:
"I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of his name to the Lord Most High." Psalm 7:17
🎉 Want FREE Bible Games for Your Kids?
Grab 6 free Bible resources instantly — perfect for Sunday Schools, homeschools, and Christian Classrooms!
YES, PLEASE! →🔒 No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.
This game has been one of my favorites to pull out every Thanksgiving season! Watching little ones hold up their pictures and shout ‘Thank you, God!’ never gets old. I hope it blesses your classroom as much as it has mine!