Thanksgiving Activities for Kids: Getting Ready for the Feast

When you're a kid, the wait for the Thanksgiving feast can seem like an eternity. The aromas of roasting turkey and pumpkin pie, not to mention the buzz of the grown-ups in the kitchen spur excitement in the air. Rather than sending your child off to play, why not let him help contribute to the festivities. Partake in these Thanksgiving activities for kids and start making table decors, house decorations and closer to Thanksgiving Day, some table tidbits.

-Everyone needs to feel nurtured and appreciated. During the Thanksgiving holiday season, parents should take time to reinforce a child's sense of belonging and importance to the family. Here area few ways you can do that:

-Involve your child in the planning and preparation of the Thanksgiving meal. This is an opportunity to demonstrate that a child is a needed member of the family team.

-During the meal, ask family members to state what they are most thankful for. Parents should give some reasons why they are thankful to have a particular child in their lives.

-Recount happy memories of your childhood Thanksgiving. Describe to your child how you're now able to relive many of those memories because you have him.

-Don't forget to stop during the holiday rush and hug your child. Sometimes a hug can do what all the talks and gifts can't.

Yesterday and Today (Preschool +)

Check out books at your local library on the First Thanksgiving. Show your child pictures of Thanksgiving feasts-one of today (from a magazine) and one of the first Thanksgiving. Discuss the following together:

-How are the dinners alike? How are they different?

-What foods did the Pilgrims eat? What foods do you eat on Thanksgiving?

-Discuss different eating utensils. Pilgrims ate with their hands or wooden spoons instead of silverware. They also used mugs instead of glasses.

-Which are the Native Americans? Which are the Pilgrims?

-Did the Native Americans and Pilgrims dress differently? How did they dress?

-Who comes to Thanksgiving dinner at your house?

-For what were the Pilgrims thankful? For what are you thankful?

Even the youngest of children can enjoy making holiday napkin holders. Just cut a cardboard tube into pieces about an inch thick. Use markers and paint to create an Americana design and then just slip the napkin through the ring. Older kids may want to make mini-headdresses (Native American) gluing construction paper feathers or even purchased ones to the inside of the ring. A wonderful table addition made by your child!

Entertainment Before and After the Feast (School Age)

Let the fun begin as your child makes and designs placemats for the holiday table. Break an uncooked ear of corn into two pieces. Firmly attach plastic corncob holders to the ends (if you have them). Next, pour a few shades of fabric paint onto paper plates. Roll the corn in the paint and then across a cloth place mat (plain muslin cloth works well). Repeat overlapping patterns and hues. Then heat-set the painted place mats according to manufacturer's directions. These can be washed and remain a keepsake to be used every Thanksgiving. NOTE: disposable placemats can be made using the same technique with poster paints and construction paper.

When a few generations are gathered, the family album can be the perfect inspiration for some lively stories about past events. For fun, make a game of matching up childhood photos with more recent snapshots of different relatives. Or team up to write comical captions.

For a bit of exercise, take a "Penny Walk." A flip of a coin determines whether you turn right or left as you walk. Every time it lands heads up, the group takes five steps to the right; tails means move five steps to the left. Before starting, ask each person to predict where he/she thinks the walk will end. Then, take turns tossing the coin until everyone has flipped it twice. The one who guessed closest to where the group finally stops wins.

These Thanksgiving activities for kids will make your celebration special and enjoyable. Happy Holidays!

Read more about Thanksgiving from this author:
Preschool Thanksgiving Activities
Teaching Gratitude to Children