Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate gratitude, family, and togetherness. It’s a holiday filled with cherished traditions, festive meals, and the warmth of loved ones. For families with children, Thanksgiving can be a wonderful opportunity to spark creativity and create meaningful memories. Engaging kids in themed activities not only keeps them entertained but also fosters a sense of appreciation and teamwork.
In this blog, we’ll explore why Thanksgiving activities for kids matter and share 10 fun and easy ideas that combine learning, creativity, and bonding. Let’s make this Thanksgiving one to remember for the whole family!
Why Thanksgiving Activities for Kids Matter?
Thanksgiving activities aren’t just about keeping kids busy—they’re about connection, growth, and joy. By involving children in crafts, games, and interactive tasks, you can:
- Encourage creativity: Hands-on projects allow kids to express their artistic sides.
- Instill values: Activities focused on gratitude and teamwork align with the holiday’s
spirit. - Create lasting memories: Shared experiences strengthen family bonds.
- Foster learning: Fun, age-appropriate tasks make the holiday educational and inclusive.
Whether it’s through crafting, storytelling, or playing games, Thanksgiving activities bring the family together while reinforcing core values like thankfulness and collaboration.
10 Fun and Easy Thanksgiving Activities for Kids
Here are 10 delightful ideas to keep children entertained while celebrating the essence of Thanksgiving:
Hand print Turkey Craft
A timeless classic that kids adore!
What You’ll Need: Construction paper, markers, glue, googly eyes, and scissors.
Steps:
- Trace your child’s hand on colorful paper.
- Decorate the fingers as feathers using markers or glitter.
- Add a face to the thumb to create a turkey.
- Display it as a card or poster.
Why It’s Fun: This craft is simple, personal, and creates a keepsake you’ll treasure for years.
Thanksgiving Story time and Gratitude Talk
Encourage reflection with stories and sharing.
Books to Read: The Thankful Book by Todd Parr or Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson.
Gratitude Activity:
- Sit in a circle and have kids share three things they’re thankful for.
- Create a “Thankful Tree” by attaching their gratitude notes to branches.
Benefits: Builds empathy and helps kids understand the importance of appreciation.
DIY Pilgrim Hats
Bring history to life with this fun craft.
What You’ll Need: Black and white paper, tape, and optional gold glitter.
Steps:
- Cut out a hat shape from black paper.
- Add a white band and gold buckle for detail.
- Secure the hat to fit comfortably.
Why It’s Educational: It’s a creative way to teach kids about the Pilgrims and their role in Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt
Turn the holiday into an adventure!
How to Play:
- Create a list of Thanksgiving-themed items (e.g., a pumpkin decoration, maple leaf, or turkey sticker).
- Hide treats or toys for kids to find.
- Add clues with Thanksgiving trivia for an educational twist.
Why It’s Engaging: Combines problem-solving with physical activity, making it fun for kids of all ages.
Thanksgiving Placement Craft
Add a personal touch to the dinner table.
What You’ll Need: Plain paper, markers, crayons, stickers, and a laminator.
Steps:
- Let kids design their own placemats with Thanksgiving-themed drawings.
- Write their names for personalization.
- Laminate the finished creations.
Why It’s Special: Seeing their art at the table gives kids a sense of pride.
Pumpkin Bowling Game
A festive twist on a classic game.
What You’ll Need: Mini pumpkins, plastic bottles, or soda cans.
Steps:
- Decorate bottles with Thanksgiving stickers or drawings.
- Arrange them like bowling pins.
- Use a small pumpkin as the bowling ball.
Why It’s a Hit: Combines physical activity with festive fun.
Edible Thanksgiving Necklaces
Snack and craft in one!
What You’ll Need: Cheerios, marshmallows, gummy candies, and string.
Steps:
- Cut strings to necklace length.
- Let kids thread snacks in fun patterns.
- Tie the ends to finish the necklace.
Why It’s Delightful: Enhances motor skills and doubles as a tasty treat.
Nature Walk and Gratitude Collection
Explore the outdoors and reflect on gratitude.
What to Do:
- Take a family walk to collect items like leaves or pinecones.
- Store them in a jar with labels describing why they’re meaningful.
Why It’s Memorable: Combines mindfulness with a peaceful activity.
9. Thanksgiving Sing-Along
Spread cheer with festive songs.
Songs to Try: Over the River and Through the Woods or Thanksgiving-themed nursery rhymes.
Activity Ideas:
- Teach kids hand motions to match the songs.
- Use toy instruments like tambourines or maracas.
Why It’s Uplifting: Music creates joy and strengthens bonds.
Cooking Together – Kid-Friendly Recipes
Let kids shine in the kitchen!
What to Make:
- Mini Pies: Kids can shape crusts and add fillings like pumpkin or cherry.
- Cornbread Muffins: Let them stir and pour the batter.
Why It’s Rewarding: Builds kitchen skills and makes kids feel included in the meal.
Final Thoughts
Involving kids in Thanksgiving activities ensures a holiday full of laughter, learning, and connection. From creative crafts to engaging games, these ideas bring the family closer while celebrating gratitude. With these simple and fun activities, Thanksgiving will become a cherished memory for kids and adults alike.