Thanksgiving Activities for Kids for a Perfect Family Day

Thanksgiving is a magical time of year - families gather, they enjoy wonderful food and each other’s company, and everybody creates shared memories that will live on forever. But don’t forget about the little-pint, energetic, inquisitive minds and bodies of the children! Ensuring they are engaged is a must in order to maintain the happiness of a family day. Thankfully, there are innumerable ways to engage children in the Thanksgiving holiday. If you can create an opportunity that blends creativity and fun with gratitude, then you can create memories with your family that will last forever. Next, let’s explore some fun Thanksgiving activities that will be fun for kids and engaging for the whole family.

Thanksgiving Day Traditions – Making it Memorable for Kids

Thanksgiving is all about being grateful for what we have and there aren’t any better ways to show it than with family traditions, children can carry to future Thanksgivings! First, you can engage the kids in making the meals. Not only can they learn valuable cooking skills but they can feel accomplished by contributing to the Thanksgiving table.

You may also want to consider a "Thankfulness Tree". Each person in the family can write down what they are thankful for on colorful paper leaves, and attach the leaves to a branch. This tradition can ornament the home with warmth, as it can remind everyone of the real reason for Thanksgiving.

You can also consider telling story's about past Thanksgiving or reading Thanksgiving type books, to create memories for kids it also gives kids to a cozy spot on the Thanksgiving story.

Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Kids

Engaging Thanksgiving Games for Kids

Continue adding fun to the incredibly fun Thanksgiving fun activities with some Thanksgiving games for kids. One of the games you can all play is "Turkey Tag." In this game, you give the children various construction paper "feathers" to pin on their clothing. The idea is to try to steal the most "feathers" from the other players, while keeping your own feathers safe!

Another great idea is "Thanksgiving Bingo." Draw up bingo cards with pictures of Thanksgiving-related items (turkeys, pies, leaves, etc.) and use candy corn as markers. This is also a great way to have some sweets during the activity!

Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Kids Indoors

In those comfy places inside the home, creating can be the ideal way to practice their creative spirits! Try making handprint turkeys - all you have to do is trace your child’s hand onto construction paper, and then decorate with colors and patterns as much as they want with parent assistance! It is a classic craft that guarantees smiles every time!

Plan an indoor scavenger hunt with a Thanksgiving theme! Give your kids a list of things for Thanksgiving and see if they can find them inside your home. You can include anything related to the Thanksgiving holiday—an actual mini pumpkin, pinecone, or leaf! It will keep your kids busy as you prepare for the big dinner!

Outdoor Thanksgiving Games and Energy Boosters

If the weather is suitable, take the activity outdoors, where there are a ton of games that can let off some energy while the kids beg for more. Pumpkin Bowling will probably be a winner! Set up some empty soda bottles and roll a little pumpkin to knock them down.

Another favorite option is Capture the Flag. Divide them up into two teams and have each team race to the other side and grab their opponent's "flag" without getting tagged, so the flag must be hidden in a safe spot. Lots of energy, teamwork and fun will be had!

Creative Learning – Thanksgiving Facts and History

Make learning fun by giving kids interesting Thanksgiving facts and history. Get children excited by sharing the real story of the first Thanksgiving and how it became a national holiday.

Have a mini play where kids can act out scenes from the past, playing the roles of Pilgrims and Native Americans. This makes history hands-on, "living, breathing history," that they will never forget and will be a fun activity for them.

Cultivating a sense of curiosity will allow children to see the true meaning of the holiday and keep their imaginations alive.

Thanksgiving Treats for Kids – Sweet and Healthy Options

Who doesn't enjoy a sweet dessert, especially at Thanksgiving? But instead of filling up on sugar, you could make some healthier, yet still yummy options that everyone will like. Here are a few to help keep those little hands busy and tummies full:

- Apple Turkeys: Have the kids turn just plain apple slices into a turkey treat! Use the apple slice as the body and cheese cubes or grapes as the feathers. Either a small candy or a raisin can be used as the eyes. This is a fun way for them to be creative. Add a side of almond butter or a Greek yogurt dip to enjoy being even more fun.

- Pilgrim Hat Cookies: This is a tasty, no-bake option. Simply take some large marshmallows and dip one side in melted chocolate. Stick it on a chocolate covered cookie and use fruit leather strip as a band around the 'hat' for decoration. Super simple, fast and always a crowd pleaser!

- Pumpkin Yogurt Parfaits: Layer Greek yogurt with canned pumpkin puree, a sprinkle of cinnamon and some granola. The kids can layer their parfaits in cups, which makes this a great option for a fun and healthy treat. They will love creating the layers, and you can add optional toppings such as nuts or berries.

Making Thanksgiving Extra Fun with Family Thanksgiving Shirts

Transform your Thanksgiving celebration into one centered around family bonding by having everyone wear family Thanksgiving shirts! Custom family shirts not only make an adorable picture, they also make for a lovely way to bring family together, share a celebration as a family, and an opportunity to create a shared characteristic.

- Create your own:This could be done as a family project in the days leading up to Thanksgiving! Kids can help design shirts by coming up with fun graphics like pictures of turkeys or pumpkins, maybe even some witty saying like, “Feast Mode” or “Grateful and Stuffed” could be fun!

- Tie Dye: If you like a little DIY, you could probably have a lot of fun by tie-dye'ing some T-shirts in fall colors! Your kids would have a great time creating their own tie-dye art, and whoever can wear their designed "art" for the Thanksgiving festivities.

- DIY Iron-On: You could go to any store that sells shirts, purchas a plain shirt and then off a design you can do iron-ons! Your kids could pick whatever design they want for their shirt, and then the kids could help mom and dad iron them onto their shirt. The kids will love making a shirt for themselves (kids and parents love ironing designs on shirts together!).

Having family matching shirts can add a great touch to the day's fun and provide an opportunity to create a long-lasting family tradition. Also, when everyone looks back at the family photos taken in those family matching shirts, the happiness of each person being together will be remembered by all.

Ending the Day with Gratitude and Family Bonding

As the Thanksgiving Day celebrations begin to wrap up, this is an ideal opportunity to gather the family around, and reflect on the day. Ending the day with gratitude could be a lovely, bonding experience that enhances the spirit of the holiday.

A great way to show gratitude can be done through a "Gratitude Circle." Gather everyone in a cozy spot, such as the living room or the backyard around a bonfire. Each person can take turns, stating what they are grateful for. While everyone can share, keep it to the individual turn. This activity is not only a great way to get everyone recognizing what good things in life we have, but also allows for family bonding, as you each listen to the thoughtful, vulnerable expressions and thankfulness of your family. How often do you get to learn something new about each other in just one simple process of gratitude?

Another fun option is starting a "Thankful Jar," that may become a family tradition. This tradition would be where each family member takes a slip of paper, writing something they are thankful for on it and putting it in the thankful jar. You can read them at the end of the day as a reflection, or also throughout the year at family gatherings, or even the next Thanksgiving; and, just think about all the things that were special and memorable.

After a long day filled with Thanksgiving activities and delicious food, unwinding with these gratitude and bonding events can create lasting memories. It's these moments of togetherness that truly make Thanksgiving special.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving is much more than a day of eating; it is about family, gratitude, and time well spent with those you love. Taking time to include kids in fun activities during Thanksgiving is the perfect way to create a family day full of laughter, creativity, and connection. From the joy of crafts and the fun of games to the joy of sharing gratitude, these moments are family traditions the littles will remember as they grow older. Together with smiling faces gathered around the room singing, and stories passed down through generations, this is what makes Thanksgiving special. Now gather your loved ones, roll out the pumpkins and paper bag turkeys, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

FAQs

What activities can you do for Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is an ideal time to partake in a selection of activities to bring families together. You may host a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt, relish a holiday-themed reading hour, or bake some pumpkin sweets. All of these events are great ways to promote connection and celebrate the feel of Thanksgiving.

What is the Thanksgiving icebreaker activity?

"Two Truths and a Pie" is a great icebreaker during Thanksgiving festivities. Each person will share two truths and one interesting fib related to Thanksgiving pie. It's a fun way to get everyone mixing, chatting and sharing! It will provide an atmosphere of laughs and new stories throughout participants' Thanksgiving.

What are the easiest Thanksgiving crafts for kids?

Thanksgiving crafts that are easy include:

- Handprint turkeys, made by tracing and coloring handprints on construction paper.

- Paper plate visionary pilgrim hats.

- Gratitude trees, where the kids write what they're thankful for on paper leaves.

These are easy crafts and require little supplies, which helps keep little hands busy and creative.

What are some party games for kids?

Great Thanksgiving party games are "Put the feather on the turkey", a Thanksgiving version of Pin the Tail on the Donkey, and "Musical Pilgrims", a Thanksgiving themed version of musical chairs. You can also keep children occupied and engaged with "Thanksgiving Bingo", using turkeys and pumpkins.

How to keep kids entertained during Thanksgiving?

Establishing a designated play area with various types of activities and crafts will help keep kids entertained during Thanksgiving. Arrange board games and a comfy reading nook, stocked with child-friendly Thanksgiving-themed books. Swap out games and activities to build excitement for them when boredom sets in. Encouraging kids to help prepare the meal or set the table will keep them involved in the event while making them feel valued and important. Make Thanksgiving a fun, interactive family day.