Thanksgiving is a time for thankfulness, family, and delicious food, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to involve children in enjoyable activities that will make the occasion even more memorable. Whether you’re hosting a large family gathering or spending a quiet day at home, these Thanksgiving activities for kids will keep them engaged, teach them about the holiday spirit, and allow them to participate in the celebrations.
1. Thanksgiving Crafts
Crafts are a wonderful way for kids to express their creativity while celebrating the holiday. Here are a few ideas:
Handprint Turkeys
Have your kids trace their hands on a piece of paper, then decorate each finger as a turkey feather and the thumb as the turkey’s head. They can color and add googly eyes, beaks, and feet to create their own unique turkeys.
Thankful Tree
Create a tree using construction paper or a small branch from the yard. Cut out leaf shapes from colored paper, and have each child write something they are thankful for on a leaf. Attach the leaves to the tree to create a beautiful display of gratitude.
Pumpkin Decorating
Instead of carving, give kids markers, paint, or stickers to decorate small pumpkins. They can create funny faces, patterns, or even paint them in fall colors.
2. Thanksgiving Story Time
Reading is a fantastic way to wind down and introduce kids to the history and meaning of Thanksgiving. Consider the following books:
“The Story of the Pilgrims” by Katharine Ross: This classic book provides a kid-friendly overview of the first Thanksgiving.
“Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks” by Margaret Sutherland: This book emphasizes the importance of gratitude, perfect for the Thanksgiving season.
“Turkey Trouble” by Wendi Silvano: A humorous story about a turkey trying to avoid becoming dinner, which is sure to make kids laugh.
After reading, encourage kids to share what they’re thankful for or even write their own Thanksgiving stories.
3. Baking Thanksgiving Treats
Get the kids involved in the kitchen with some simple and fun Thanksgiving-themed treats:
Turkey Cupcakes: Decorate cupcakes with candy corn, chocolate chips, and frosting to resemble turkeys. Let kids get creative with their designs.
Pumpkin Pie Bites: Use mini pie crusts or cookie dough and pumpkin pie filling to create bite-sized versions of this Thanksgiving favorite.
Cornucopia Treats: Fill sugar cones with candies, pretzels, and other small snacks to resemble a traditional cornucopia.
Not only does this activity keep kids busy, but it also lets them contribute to the Thanksgiving feast in a way that they can be proud of.
4. Thanksgiving Games
Games are always a hit with kids, and these Thanksgiving-themed options will add extra fun to your holiday:
Turkey Trot Race: Set up a relay race where kids have to waddle like turkeys from one point to another. This is a great way to get them moving before the big meal.
Thanksgiving Bingo: Create Bingo cards with Thanksgiving-themed images or words. As you call out the items, kids can mark them off. The first to get a full line wins a prize.
Pin the Tail on the Turkey: A Thanksgiving twist on the classic party game. Blindfold the kids and have them try to pin a paper tail on a large turkey cutout.
5. Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt
Make a scavenger hunt with a list of Thanksgiving-themed items for youngsters to find around the house or yard. A pinecone, an orange, a feather, or a turkey photo could be among the items. You can make it a competition with rewards or just a pleasant activity to do together.
6. Gratitude Jar
Throughout the day, have children write down what they are grateful for on small pieces of paper and store them in a “Gratitude Jar.” After the Thanksgiving feast, gather everyone together to read the letters. This not only helps children focus on the purpose of the holiday, but it also builds a spirit of gratitude that can be shared throughout the family.
7. Thanksgiving Parades and Shows
If your family enjoys parades, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with your children is a wonderful tradition to establish. Create a comfortable viewing area with blankets and snacks, and let the kids enjoy the huge balloons, floats, and shows.
Furthermore, there are numerous Thanksgiving-themed movies and television shows available to delight children while teaching them about the holiday’s significance.
8. DIY Thanksgiving Placemats
Allow children to design their own placemats for the Thanksgiving dinner. Provide children with construction paper, markers, stickers, and other craft materials. They can draw turkeys, pumpkins, and other Thanksgiving-themed images. Laminate the finished placemats (if feasible) so they can be used year after year.
9. Interactive Thanksgiving Dinner
Get the kids involved in Thanksgiving dinner by assigning them easy duties such as setting the table, assisting with mash potatoes, or stirring the gravy. You may also have them make place cards for each guest. This involvement not only keeps children occupied, but also makes them feel like they are a vital part of the festivities.
10. Volunteer as a Family
Thanksgiving is a time to give back, and volunteering as a family can be a wonderful one. Look for a local food bank, shelter, or community kitchen where you may volunteer together. It’s an excellent approach for children to learn about helping others and the genuine meaning of Thanksgiving.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving is about spending quality time with loved ones and making lasting memories, not just eating a meal. These activities will keep your children entertained while also showing them the value of thankfulness, generosity, and family. Whether you choose to craft, cook, play games, or volunteer, what matters most is that you spend time together, recognizing the season’s blessings.
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