Thanksgiving Activities for Kids: Fun and Festive Ideas for the Little Ones
Thanksgiving is a heartwarming time that invites both gratitude and celebration into your home. As the leaves change and November ushers in the chill of impending winter, your family is presented with a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time together and create lasting memories. Thanksgiving activities for kids are not only a fun way to engage their creativity and energy but also a means to involve them in the spirit of the holiday. Whether it’s crafting decorations for the dinner table or playing themed games, these activities can add an extra layer of joy to your family holiday.
Immersing your little ones in Thanksgiving traditions can start with hands-on projects and playful learning. Imagine the pride they’ll feel when their handmade crafts become part of your Thanksgiving décor or when they teach the family a game they’ve learned. You can help your children explore the importance of giving thanks through activities that encourage them to express their gratitude in unique and colorful ways.
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Creative Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids
Engaging your kids in crafting can be a wonderful way to celebrate the season and create lasting memories. It’s a time to explore the joy of making things by hand and to express gratitude through creative expression. Take part in these crafty adventures that are perfect for little hands and big imaginations.
Pinecone Turkeys and Pie Garland Crafting
Pinecone Turkeys: Gather some pinecones from your backyard, and transform them into adorable turkey decorations. You’ll need:
- Pinecones
- Felt (assorted colors)
- Googly eyes
- Glue
- Scissors
- Feathers
Simply glue feathers to the back of your pinecone to represent the turkey’s tail. Cut a small triangle of orange felt for the beak, and a red wattle, then stick them on along with the googly eyes to complete your pinecone turkey. Not only is this craft a fun activity, but these turkeys can also serve as festive table decorations.
Pie Garland: Add a sweet touch to your Thanksgiving décor with a handmade pie garland. Here’s what you need:
- Colored paper
- Twine or string
- Glue or tape
- Scissors
Cut paper into triangles to resemble pie slices and decorate each piece to look like different Thanksgiving pies – pumpkin, apple, or pecan. Once done, attach each “slice” to your twine and hang it up for a festive look.
Free Thanksgiving Printables and Coloring Pages
Free Thanksgiving Printables: Keep your kids occupied with a variety of free Thanksgiving printables. Look for printable activities like:
- Word searches
- Crossword puzzles
- Bingo cards
- I Spy games
Print out these activities and supply your kids with crayons or markers for hours of entertainment.
Coloring Pages: Coloring can be a calming activity for children and a great way to spend time together. Download Thanksgiving-themed coloring sheets featuring turkeys, cornucopias, and harvest scenes, offering a palette for your child’s imagination. They are easy to find online and only require your printer and some coloring supplies.
By introducing your children to these handpicked crafting and coloring activities, you’re setting the scene for a delightful and creative Thanksgiving.
Engaging Outdoor Activities
With the crisp air and colorful leaves of autumn, going outside for Thanksgiving can be as enjoyable as the feast itself. Enjoy nature and fun play with these outdoor activities designed to keep kids active and entertained.
Autumn Scavenger Hunt
Prepare an Autumn Scavenger Hunt where you can explore the outdoors with a list of seasonal items to find. Grab a basket and start your quest for colorful leaves, acorns, and other hallmarks of fall. It’s more than just a walk; it’s an adventure that hones observation skills and celebrates the season.
- What to Look For:
- Red leaf
- Pinecone
- Acorn
- Yellow leaf
- Interesting twig
Turkey Tag and Leaf Gathering
Turkey Tag is an exhilarating game that gets everyone running around and laughing. Tie colorful handmade turkey tags to your clothes and then chase after each other in a lively game of tag. After the excitement, gather leaves and create a collection of autumn’s palette. Use your finds for crafts or a nature walk keepsake album.
- Game Rules:
- Everyone with a turkey tag is “it”
- If your tag gets taken, do five jumping jacks to rejoin
- Play until everyone has had a turn
Engage directly with the beauty of fall, and create festive memories that go beyond the table.
For more playful outdoor game ideas, explore Memorable Thanksgiving Games for the Outdoors.
Fun Thanksgiving Games and Puzzles
Engaging your kids in fun games and puzzles can make Thanksgiving even more memorable for them. From classic bingo to creative Pictionary challenges, these activities are tailored to celebrate the season and create laughter and joy.
Thanksgiving Bingo and Trivia
Thanksgiving Bingo: Make your own bingo cards with Thanksgiving-themed pictures or words. As numbers are drawn, mark off corresponding Thanksgiving items like ‘turkey’, ‘pilgrim hat’, or ‘cornucopia’. You can find templates and ideas for Thanksgiving bingo to get started.
Thanksgiving Trivia: Test your guests’ knowledge with trivia cards. Include questions about Thanksgiving history, fun facts, and even family-specific queries. Reward correct answers with small prizes or tokens to add competitive excitement.
Pictionary and Mad Libs
Thanksgiving Pictionary: Grab a whiteboard and some markers for a game of Thanksgiving Pictionary. Your drawing prompts can include anything from ‘pumpkin pie’ to ‘Mayflower’. It’s a creative way to keep everyone entertained, and this list of Thanksgiving words can fuel your game.
Mad Libs: Thanksgiving-themed Mad Libs provide a hilarious twist to storytime. Fill in the blanks with adjectives, nouns, and verbs to create wacky stories based on the holiday. It’s a fantastic tool for teaching parts of speech in a way that will have everyone giggling.
Turkey Trot and Roll a Turkey Game
Turkey Trot: Organize a ‘Turkey Trot’ where kids can have relay races or a simple race around the yard. Make it extra festive by having them wear turkey hats or feathers.
Roll a Turkey Game: This dice game is perfect for younger children. Give them a sheet with a turkey outline, and each roll dictates a part of the turkey they can draw or add to their picture—like feathers, feet, or a beak. You can access Thanksgiving Game Sheets with premade turkey outlines, making setup a breeze.
Culinary Fun with Thanksgiving Recipes
Thanksgiving is a perfect time for you to bond with your little ones in the kitchen. The following sections will guide you through making a classic pumpkin pie and some simple dishes that children can help prepare.
Baking Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 oz.) pure pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 large eggs
- 1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
- 1 unbaked 9-inch deep-dish pie crust
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, mix pumpkin, sugar, salt, and spices.
- Beat eggs in a small bowl and add to the pumpkin mixture.
- Gradually stir in evaporated milk.
- Pour the filling into the pie crust.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for another 40-50 minutes.
Check for doneness by inserting a knife near the center of the pie; it should come out clean. The kitchen will fill with the aroma of sweet spices, providing a sensory delight and creating lasting memories with baking pumpkin pie.
Cooking with Kids: Simple Thanksgiving Dishes
Turkey-Shaped Sandwiches:
Create a sandwich using your child’s favorite ingredients. Use a turkey-shaped cookie cutter or a knife to shape the sandwich into a turkey. Add raisins or olives for eyes, and colorful bell pepper slices for feathers.
Simple Veggie Tray:
Wash and cut an assortment of raw vegetables such as carrots, celery, and cherry tomatoes. Arrange them on a platter with a small bowl of ranch dressing or pumpkin hummus for dipping.
Through these recipes and cooking activities, you’ll teach your children kitchen basics, the importance of following instructions, and the joy of sharing their creations with loved ones. Plus, they’ll gain a sense of accomplishment when serving their culinary contributions at your Thanksgiving feast.
Family Thanksgiving Traditions
Thanksgiving isn’t just about the turkey and pies; it’s a time to create memories with a series of friendly and inviting family traditions. These traditions can form the foundation of lifelong gratitude and joy within your family.
Building a Gratitude Tree
A Gratitude Tree is a heartwarming way to reflect on what you’re thankful for. You start with a few branches in a vase. Then, each family member writes something they’re grateful for on a leaf-shaped piece of paper and ties it to a branch. By the end of the day, you’ll have a beautiful visual representation of your family’s gratitude.
Enjoying Thanksgiving Family Games
Thanksgiving family games turn up the fun and give everyone a chance to bond. Consider playing ‘The Gratitude Game,’ which involves rolling dice and sharing something you appreciate based on the number rolled. Or, for a twist, set up stations with various games so family members can rotate and play different games throughout the day.
Football and Movie Marathon
In many households, watching football is a Thanksgiving staple. Set up a casual football viewing area where you can shout and cheer for your favorite team. Alternatively, if sports aren’t your family’s thing, a movie marathon featuring Thanksgiving-themed films provides a cozy way to wind down the evening together. Make sure there’s plenty of popcorn and blankets for everyone to relax and enjoy.