Thanksgiving is a cherished American holiday, but beyond the traditional feast, it’s an incredible opportunity to teach kids the importance of gratitude. While adults often busy themselves in the kitchen, it’s essential to have engaging activities that keep the little ones involved and excited.
Thanksgiving activities for kids not only entertain but also enable them to learn about the significance of this meaningful occasion. Through carefully curated experiences, parents have a chance to weave in meaningful lessons about appreciation, family history, and cultural significance. We’ve put together a guide to exploring various imaginative activities designed to captivate children of all ages, helping parents transform Thanksgiving from a passive experience into an interactive celebration of togetherness. Here are 7 unique Thanksgiving activities you should try with your kids:
Craft Thanksgiving Traditions
Halloween is not the only holiday that calls for crafts. For Thanksgiving, kids can engage in creative and meaningful crafts that celebrate the spirit of gratitude and family. These hands-on activities not only provide entertainment but also help kids connect with the holiday’s traditions and develop lasting memories for years to come.
1. Create a Gratitude Tree
A gratitude tree is a vibrant way for kids to express what they are thankful for. Start by drawing or crafting a large tree on a poster board. Have the kids cut out leaf shapes from colored paper and encourage them to write down what they’re thankful for on each leaf. Once completed, attach the leaves to the tree using glue or tape. This activity is not only a fun craft but also an excellent opportunity for children to reflect on the importance of gratitude.
2. Try Leaf Printing
Celebrate nature with a leaf printing art activity. Collect leaves of various shapes and sizes, and using paint or ink pads, press the leaves onto paper to create unique prints. You can encourage kids to experiment with colors and patterns, creating original artwork inspired by the autumn season.
3. Create Handmade Thanksgiving Cards
Cultivate creativity and kindness with handmade Thanksgiving cards. Provide kids with craft supplies such as construction paper, stickers, markers, and glitter, then guide them in creating personalized cards for family members, friends, or even local nursing home residents. Encouraging kids to articulate why they are thankful for someone makes the gesture even more meaningful.
4. Cornucopia Coloring Contest
A cornucopia coloring contest is extremely easy to put together. Supply kids with printable coloring pages of cornucopias and an array of crayons and markers. Hosting a friendly contest ignites creativity and encourages artistic expression among the children.
Share Thanksgiving Stories
Beyond the meals we share during Thanksgiving, we can pass down family narratives that connect generations. By engaging children in storytelling activities, families can create meaningful moments that bring history, gratitude, and personal experiences to life in fun and interactive ways.
5. Gather Round for Thanksgiving Storytime
Fuel imagination with a Thanksgiving storytime session. Curate a collection of Thanksgiving-themed books like “The Thankful Book” by Todd Parr or “Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks” by Margaret Sutherland. Gather the kids around and let their imaginations soar as they embark on adventures and learn about historical tales linked to Thanksgiving.
6. Role-Play “The First Thanksgiving”
Bring history to life with a role-playing activity that involves re-enacting the first Thanksgiving. Assign roles of Pilgrims and Native Americans to the kids and provide simple costumes to enhance the experience. This activity is both educational and entertaining, helping children understand the history and traditions of Thanksgiving.
Indulge in Thanksgiving Games
Thanksgiving games transform the traditional gathering into an interactive celebration that brings families closer together. Choose unique holiday-themed activities for playful moments that provide entertainment for both children and adults alike.
7. Organize a Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt
A Thanksgiving-themed scavenger hunt will have the kids eagerly searching for items related to the holiday. Create a list of items, such as a mini pumpkin, a leaf, or a pinecone, and set boundaries within which they must find these treasures. To add an educational twist, include historical facts alongside each item for discovery.
8. Try a Fun Game Like “Turkey Tag”
Engage kids in a fun-filled game of Turkey Tag in the backyard. This variation of tag includes “hunters” trying to catch “turkeys.” Once a turkey is tagged, they must freeze in place until another turkey unfreezes them. This active play helps burn off energy and reinforces team spirit and cooperation.
9. Put On a Harvest Parade
Transform your Thanksgiving gathering into an epic Gratitude Parade that turns ordinary family space into an extraordinary musical adventure! Imagine kids dressed as colorful harvest characters – some as playful corn stalks, others as dancing turkeys – creating a whimsical, noisy procession that celebrates creativity, music, and the spirit of the holiday
Bring the Kids to the Kitchen
Involving children in Thanksgiving meal preparation transforms cooking from a chore into a delightful family bonding experience. By assigning age-appropriate tasks, parents can teach valuable culinary skills, boost children’s confidence, and create treasured memories that will become cherished family traditions.
10. Mini Pie Making
This hands-on cooking activity allows kids to create their mini pies. Provide them with pre-made pastry dough, pie fillings like apple or pumpkin, and a muffin tin. Assist them in shaping the dough, adding the fillings, and baking the pies. This tasty endeavor encourages culinary skills and creativity.
11. Decorate Your Cupcake
Nothing spells fun like decorating cupcakes. Set up a cupcake station with vanilla or chocolate cupcakes, various frosting colors, and assorted toppings like sprinkles and edible eyes. Kids can unleash their artistic side by decorating cupcakes into turkey faces or fall-themed designs. It’s a sweet activity that doubles as a festive snack!
Making Memories That Last
These engaging and diverse Thanksgiving activities for kids ensure that little ones are entertained, educated, and inspired throughout the celebration. By embracing activities like crafting, storytelling, games, cooking, and arts, you provide a holistic experience that will enrich their understanding of gratitude and the value of family traditions.