Harvest Thank You Cards: Free Printable Card Set for Reception
Harvest Thank You Cards is a free printable card set for Reception (reception | ages 4 to 5), in Early Years Foundation Stage. Say thank you for food. It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, a growing library of free printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795.
It is two A4 pages. Page 1 is the activity for children. Page 2 is for the grown-up: it has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, and a stretch idea. Print it at home or in the classroom. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
This card set includes cards to cut out and use.
A look at what children will meet:
- Thank you for the apples.
- Thank you for the bread.
- Thank you for the milk.
- Thank you for the eggs.
- Thank you for the potatoes.
- Thank you for the carrots.
- Thank you to the farmer.
- Thank you for my dinner.
Who this is for
Reception (reception | ages 4 to 5) in Early Years Foundation Stage.
The Early Years Foundation Stage runs from birth to the end of Reception, up to age 5. Children learn best through play, talk and hands-on activity, so this sheet is designed to be shared with a grown-up. Use it at home, in class, on a rainy afternoon or at a family gathering.
What children practise
- Saying thank you
- Food and farming
- Drawing
Children think about where food comes from and practise saying thank you.
Learning focus and curriculum link
Subject: RE. Key stage: Early Years Foundation Stage. It supports the subject at this level through short, focused practice.
This sheet is a practice and play activity. It supports classroom learning and is not a replacement for it.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2 for the grown-up.
- A grown-up reads each card aloud. Children draw the food on the back, then choose someone to give a card to. Takes about 15 minutes.
- Work through the activity together the first time. Talk about each choice.
- Check against the notes on page 2.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
If it feels too hard
Cut out two or three cards only. Point to the first word as you read.
To stretch confident children
Ask the child to write one thank you sentence of their own, for a food they love, using the same pattern.
Make it a game
Place the cards in a basket. Take one out, read it, and the child finds that food at home, in a book or in a picture.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Print on plain A4 paper. Black and white printing works too.
- Work through it together the first time, then let children try alone.
- Praise effort and thinking, not only correct answers.
A screen-free re activity for Reception
Children spend a lot of time on screens. This is a screen-free re activity that needs only paper and a pencil. It works as quiet time after school, a rainy day activity, a holiday boredom buster or a calm moment before bed. Screen-free learning gives eyes a rest and gets children talking, thinking and writing by hand.
Free re resources for teachers
Teachers can use this card set as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task, a supply teacher resource, a homework task or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. The learning focus and skills are listed above so you can match it to your planning, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
RE ideas for parents at home
You do not need to be a teacher to use this. Read the sheet through, sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Short bursts of ten to fifteen minutes work better than long sessions. If you are looking for free re worksheets for Reception, or simple home learning for the weekend or school holidays, this is a good place to start.
Home education and tutoring
Home educators and tutors can print this as part of a wider re plan. It pairs well with books, outdoor play and everyday talk. Because the sheet is free and printable, you can use it again for brothers and sisters or for revision a few weeks later.
Why it helps children learn
Hands-on, paper based activities slow learning down in a good way. Children read carefully, think before they answer and see their own progress on the page. Games and challenges add a reason to keep going. That mix of play and practice is why printable activities like this are popular with parents, teachers and home educators.
Frequently asked questions
What age is Harvest Thank You Cards for?
It is written for Reception (reception | ages 4 to 5), in Early Years Foundation Stage.
What will children practise?
Children think about where food comes from and practise saying thank you.
How do I use it?
A grown-up reads each card aloud. Children draw the food on the back, then choose someone to give a card to. Takes about 15 minutes.
What if it feels too hard?
Cut out two or three cards only. Point to the first word as you read.
Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use.
Is Harvest Thank You Cards suitable for teachers to use in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing.
Is this a screen-free activity?
Yes. It is a screen-free printable that needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays.
Can I use it for home education?
Yes. Home educators and tutors can use it on its own or as part of a wider plan. It is free to print again for brothers, sisters or revision.
How long does it take?
Most children finish page 1 in 10 to 20 minutes. The notes on page 2 suggest ways to make it shorter or longer.
Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper.
More free printables
More for Early Years Foundation Stage | More re printables | Free printable games | All Mini Minds Hub resources