Cool Ways to Get Kids Involved in Thanksgiving

So many times kids are left out of holiday planning and preparation because mom and/or dad get too stressed and overwhelmed, by it all. Especially if they intend to have company over. For mom and/or dad it may feel like the kids, "just get in the way." The thing is, many kids want to be involved too. So here are some ideas to help kids be involved without driving mom and dad crazy.

Dinner. The most important part of the celebration is the feast, at least to some. Just remember, a feast made with love tastes much better. There are a few different ways the kids can help with dinner. For starters, as you plan the meal, allow your kids to pitch in their ideas for recipes. Take them to the store with you and give them their own shopping list for the recipes they've chosen. It will be their job to make sure that they have everything for making their dishes. Now, this can be done with younger kids as well, using pictures along with the words so they can know what to get. You might have to help them make sure they have everything, but it's well worth it. Then choose a time that they will get to use the kitchen to make their dish. If it's cookies or something of that sort, bake them ahead of time. Maybe the night before. Then let the kids frost and decorate the treats while they wait for dinner to be ready. If you have the patience, allow the kids to help with measuring out ingredients for the main meal. And if there is something that needs to be mixed or mashed allow them to help.

Of course if letting them help with dinner just isn't doable, there are always other things they could do.

You could give them something to be in charge of. Whether it be greeting your guests as they arrive, setting the table, helping take care of the other kids, or something else. Kids love to be in charge.

Set up activities for the kids to do. They could make decorations, from banners to pictures, placemats to name cards. Encourage them to create their own prayer to say over dinner and let them do so. Have them write a book with pictures and/or words about things that they are thankful for and have them read it either before or after dinner. Come up with games for them to play and, if you want, have prizes for the winners. Some game examples would be, a game of football or a scavenger hunt. Maybe bingo. Give each kid a disposable camera, or if you feel comfortable enough a digital one, and have them be the event photographer. These are great ways to keep the kids entertained and make them feel involved.

In the end, as you plan a way to involve your child(ren), think of things you feel they would enjoy and that could be continued during future Thanksgiving celebrations. Whether or not you put these ideas to use, hopefully they've helped to inspire you to come up with your own as well.