Explore a variety of Thanksgiving activities for kids that combine fun with valuable life lessons.
Thanksgiving Activities for Kids
Fun, Gratitude, and Creativity
Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together, celebrate, and reflect on the blessings in their lives.
It’s a day that centers around gratitude, and while adults often focus on the meal or the holiday traditions, it’s important to engage children in activities that help them understand and participate in the spirit of Thanksgiving.
Kids love hands-on, creative projects, and Thanksgiving offers a perfect opportunity to get them involved in meaningful activities that mindfulness, reflection, and joy.
Whether you’re looking to keep the little ones entertained during the holiday meal or want to teach them about the importance of gratitude, these thanksgiving activities for kids will ensure your Thanksgiving is both memorable and educational for children.
Creative Arts and Crafts
Thanksgiving is the perfect time for arts and crafts, allowing kids to express their creativity while learning about gratitude.
Here are some fun and simple thanksgiving activities for kids that will keep them engaged while also focusing on the theme of thankfulness.
1. Gratitude Tree
One of the most powerful messages we can teach kids during Thanksgiving is the importance of gratitude.
The Gratitude Tree is a craft that not only gets them involved in the creative process but also encourages them to reflect on what they’re thankful for.
How to Set It Up:
You’ll need some basic materials such as construction paper, scissors, glue, and markers.
Start by either collecting a few small branches from outside or drawing a tree trunk on a large piece of paper.
Cut out several leaf shapes from construction paper.
Ask the kids to write something they are thankful for on each leaf.
Then, attach the leaves to the branches or glue them onto the paper tree.
As Thanksgiving approaches, this tree can grow with new leaves as family members or guests add their own messages of gratitude.
This thanksgiving activities for kids creates a beautiful visual reminder of all the blessings in your lives.
Engaging Tip:
You can make this a family project by setting it up a week or two before Thanksgiving.
Have each person in the family add a new leaf every day, and on Thanksgiving Day, gather together to read out each leaf.
It’s a wonderful way to keep the gratitude flowing throughout the holiday season.
2. DIY Thankful Bracelets
Another creative thanksgiving activities for kids that engages kids in reflecting on their blessings is making Thankful Bracelets.
This craft is simple yet meaningful, as kids can wear their creations as a reminder of the things they cherish.
Steps to Create:
You’ll need beads in various colors, string, and small charms or decorations.
Assign each bead color to something the kids are thankful for.
For example, red beads can represent family, blue for friends, yellow for happiness, and green for nature.
As the kids string the beads together, they can reflect on each aspect of their lives.
To make it even more personalized, consider adding small charms to represent specific people or memories.
Once they’re finished, the kids will have a tangible keepsake to remind them of their blessings throughout the year.
Added Value:
Encourage kids to make extra bracelets as gifts for family members.
This thanksgiving activities for kids can be a lovely way for them to express their gratitude to loved ones, turning a simple craft into a heartfelt gesture.
Interactive Games and thanksgiving activities for kids
Keeping kids entertained during thanksgiving activities for kids can sometimes be a challenge, especially when the adults are busy with meal preparation.
These interactive games not only hold their attention but also reinforce the concept of gratitude in fun and engaging ways.
1. Thankful Bingo
Thankful Bingo is a fantastic thanksgiving activities for kids to get kids thinking about all the things they are grateful for while engaging in a game they love.
This version of Bingo focuses on reflection, encouraging kids to appreciate the small and big blessings in their lives.
Creating the Bingo Cards:
You can easily make your own Bingo cards or print them out from online templates.
Fill each square with gratitude-related items, such as “family,” “good health,” “warm home,” or “favorite food.”
As the kids go through their Bingo cards, they must reflect on each item and share why they are thankful for it.
Variations:
For a family-friendly twist, consider creating a communal Bingo card where each family member contributes a square.
This way, the whole family can participate, and it can serve as a conversation starter during dinner.
2. Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt
If you’re looking for a thanksgiving activities for kids to keep kids active and engaged while learning about the themes of Thanksgiving, a Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt is the perfect activity.
This game gets kids moving and thinking about the holiday’s meaning.
Setting Up:
Create a list of Thanksgiving-related items for kids to find around the house or yard.
For example, you might ask them to find a leaf to represent fall, a photo of a family member to symbolize togetherness, or something orange to represent the harvest season.
As they find each item, ask them to explain how it relates to Thanksgiving or something they’re grateful for.
Making It Meaningful:
Add an extra layer of reflection by encouraging kids to share why they’re thankful for each item they find.
This thanksgiving activities for kids not only keeps them engaged but also helps them connect the dots between the objects and the holiday’s deeper meaning.
3. Gratitude Charades
A fun twist on the classic game of charades, Gratitude Charades involves acting out things that kids are thankful for.
This is a great thanksgiving activities for kids to combine creativity, movement, and gratitude in a way that will have everyone laughing and thinking about what they appreciate.
Instructions:
Write down various prompts related to gratitude on slips of paper.
These could include things like “family,” “a pet,” or “good food.”
Kids take turns drawing a slip and acting it out without speaking, while others guess what they’re portraying.
Why It Works:
This game encourages kids to think about gratitude in a playful and imaginative way, making it a fun addition to your Thanksgiving activities.
Mindfulness and Reflection thanksgiving activities for kids
Thanksgiving is not just about food and games; it’s also a time for reflection and mindfulness.
These thanksgiving activities for kids help kids connect with the present moment and think about the things that truly matter.
1. Mindful Food Exploration
Incorporating mindfulness into Thanksgiving can be as simple as slowing down and appreciating the meal.
Mindful Food Exploration teaches kids to engage their senses while eating, making the holiday meal an opportunity for reflection.
How It Works:
As you serve Thanksgiving dinner, ask the kids to observe the food before they dig in.
Encourage them to notice the colors, shapes, and smells of the food.
Once they take a bite, have them eat slowly, noticing the flavors and textures of each dish.
Ask questions like, “What do you taste?” or “How does this food make you feel?”
Value for Kids:
This thanksgiving activities for kids encourages kids to be present and mindful during the meal, helping them develop a deeper appreciation for the food on their plate.
2. Thanksgiving Story Circle
If your kids enjoy storytelling, then the Thanksgiving Story Circle is a perfect activity.
It’s a collaborative game where everyone contributes to a story, creating a fun and imaginative way to explore Thanksgiving traditions and themes.
Setting Up:
Gather the kids in a circle and start by giving them the beginning of a Thanksgiving story.
For example, you might say, “Once upon a time, there was a family preparing for Thanksgiving dinner…” Each child then adds one sentence to the story, building on what the previous person said.
The story can go in any direction, from the historical to the whimsical.
Enhancing the Experience:
To tie the story to the theme of Thanksgiving, you can incorporate historical elements or talk about family traditions.
You can also encourage the kids to come up with their own endings, which can be serious or silly depending on their imagination.
Collaborative and Family thanksgiving activities for kids
Thanksgiving is a time for family togetherness, and these thanksgiving activities for kids foster collaboration and connection while reinforcing the holiday’s core values.
1. Thanksgiving Recipe Booklet
One thanksgiving activities for kids to bring the family together during Thanksgiving is by creating a Thanksgiving Recipe Booklet.
This thanksgiving activities for kids allows kids to contribute to the family meal in a meaningful way, even if they’re too young to cook.
How to Involve Kids:
Ask family members to contribute their favorite Thanksgiving recipes, and have the kids help by writing them down or decorating the pages.
They can draw pictures of the dishes or add stickers and other decorations.
Older kids can even write down their favorite memories associated with each recipe.
Bonus Tip:
Once the booklet is complete, make copies to share with extended family members.
This booklet can passed down through generations, filled with recipes and memories that reflect your family’s Thanksgiving traditions.
2. Thankful Photo Collage
Another collaborative project that’s both fun and meaningful is creating a Thankful Photo Collage.
This thanksgiving activities for kids allows kids to visually represent the things they are grateful for using family photos.
Steps to Create:
Gather photos of family members, pets, favorite places, and memorable moments.
Have the kids arrange the photos on a large poster board or create a digital collage using an app.
Alongside each photo, the kids can write why they’re thankful for the person or memory in the picture.
Meaning Behind It:
This project not only helps kids reflect on their blessings but also creates a beautiful piece of art that can be displayed in your home.
It’s a wonderful thanksgiving activities for kids to remind everyone of the love and joy that surround them.
Fun with Nature and the Outdoors
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be all about staying indoors.
In fact, engaging kids in outdoor thanksgiving activities for kids can help them connect with nature and the season while learning about the themes of Thanksgiving.
These activities provide a balance between indoor crafts and games, and the beauty of the natural world.
1. Outdoor Thanksgiving Nature Walk
An Outdoor Thanksgiving Nature Walk is a simple yet enriching activity that gets kids moving while helping them appreciate the natural world around them.
It’s thanksgiving activities for kids also a great opportunity to teach them about the beauty of the fall season and how nature plays a role in the Thanksgiving holiday.
Why It’s Special:
Encourage your family to take a walk outside, whether it’s in your neighborhood, a local park, or even your backyard.
Along the way, have the kids look for things that symbolize Thanksgiving or fall, such as colorful leaves, acorns, pinecones, or other signs of the season.
As they collect these items, ask them to reflect on why they’re thankful for nature and what they appreciate about the changing seasons.
Nature Connection:
This thanksgiving activities for kids is not just about collecting objects but also about encouraging kids to slow down and notice the world around them.
Ask them questions like, “What do you hear?” “What do you see?” or “How does the air feel today?”
This helps cultivate mindfulness and a sense of gratitude for the natural world.
Adding Gratitude:
At the end of the walk, gather the family together and have everyone share one thing they’re grateful for from nature.
It could be something as simple as the warmth of the sun or the sound of birds singing.
This helps tie the thanksgiving activities for kids back to the spirit of Thanksgiving and creates a moment of reflection and appreciation.
2. Leaf Pressing Gratitude Art
For a creative outdoor project, try Leaf Pressing Gratitude Art.
This thanksgiving activities for kids combines the beauty of nature with artistic expression and helps kids create a lasting memento of their Thanksgiving experience.
Creative Project:
During your nature walk or an outdoor play session, have the kids collect a variety of leaves in different shapes, sizes, and colors.
Once they’ve gathered their leaves, bring them inside for the next step that is leaf pressing.
You can press the leaves by placing them between sheets of paper and weighing them down with heavy books for a day or two.
Steps to Create:
Once the leaves are pressed and dry, have the kids arrange them on a poster board or large sheet of paper to create a beautiful fall collage.
They can glue the leaves in place and decorate the collage with markers, stickers, or other embellishments.
Alongside each leaf, encourage the kids to write something they are thankful for, turning the collage into a visual representation of their gratitude.
Gratitude Element:
This thanksgiving activities for kids not only provides a fun way for kids to get creative but also helps them reflect on the things they’re thankful for in a tangible, hands-on way.
Plus, the finished artwork can be displayed in your home as a reminder of the gratitude shared during Thanksgiving.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is a special time of year, not just for feasting and gathering with loved ones, but also for reflecting on the blessings in our lives.
For kids, it’s important to create opportunities to learn about gratitude, mindfulness, and the value of togetherness in a way that’s both fun and meaningful.
By incorporating thanksgiving activities for kids like the Gratitude Tree, Thankful Bracelets, Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt, and Outdoor Nature Walk, you’re providing children with a way to actively participate in the holiday while learning valuable lessons about gratitude.
Whether you’re engaging them in crafts, games, or mindful reflection, these thanksgiving activities for kids help make Thanksgiving more than just a meal—it becomes a time of growth, learning, and connection for the whole family.
We hope that these ideas inspire you to create memorable, joyful moments with your kids this Thanksgiving.
By focusing on gratitude, creativity, and fun, you’ll not only keep the little ones entertained but also help them understand the true meaning of the holiday.
So, gather the family, get creative, and enjoy a Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter, and gratitude!
Final Thoughts
As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in the preparing a big meal and hosting guests.
By engaging kids in these thoughtful and creative activities, you’re helping them learn about the deeper meaning of Thanksgiving in a way that’s both fun and educational.
These thanksgiving activities for kids offer something for every child, whether they enjoy crafts, games, storytelling, or spending time outdoors.
They provide a perfect blend of play and learning, ensuring that the kids are not just entertained but also growing in their understanding of gratitude and mindfulness.
From the Gratitude Tree to the Thanksgiving Nature Walk, each activity encourages children to reflect on their blessings and appreciate the world around them.
So, this Thanksgiving, take a moment to slow down and enjoy these moments with your children.
Let them experience the joy of giving thanks, not just for the delicious food on the table, but for the people, memories, and experiences that fill their lives with happiness and love.