Top 11 Thanksgiving Decorating Tips for Families with Young Children

Thanksgiving decorating tips for families with young children can make for a pretty home that's still child friendly. The trick is to use decorations that won't break but are still easy on the eye. Decorations that can be used for dual purposes can be especially helpful when young children are going to be around.

If you need decorating tips for families with young children you've come to the right place. With these Thanksgiving decorating tips for families with young children you'll have a pretty home that delights adults and kids in no time.

#1 Thanksgiving decorating tips for families with young children
Dinner table
Set the table ahead of time and use your dinnerware as the focal pieces. Use paper napkins, fall themed plates and a tablecloth with a fall leaf, pilgrim or other harvest pattern. Add plastic tableware at each place.

Place a decorated cake in the middle of the table. This adds flair and works well as a centerpiece. When it's dinnertime whisk the cake into the kitchen and bring out the food.

#2 Thanksgiving decorating tips for families with young children
Living Room
Buy some large silk pumpkins, paper pilgrims and a few silk leaf arrangements. Place the silk arrangements where children can't easily get to them. Use the mantel, book cases or your hutch to hold these items.

Fold the paper cutouts and scatter them around the living room. Put them on end tables, in windowsills or on top of the windowsill. They'll add a festive touch without the worry of hurting a child if they should fall over.

#3 Thanksgiving decorating tips for families with young children
Large silk pumpkins can be placed strategically throughout your house. Put them on the end tables, in the bedrooms or anywhere you need color. Since these items are non-breakable there are no worries if young children get their hands on them.

#4 Thanksgiving decorating tips for families with young children
Use napkins generously throughout your home.
Pick harvest colors of bright orange, deep green and gold. Place napkins strategically throughout the house. Unfold them and place them under lamps and on end tables. Use them on the mantel and let the corners drape over the edge. The paper napkins add splashes of color and can be grabbed quickly in case of spills.

#5 Thanksgiving decorating tips for families with young children
Coffee table.
You may have some advance work to do here if your table has a glass top. Have a piece of wood cut to cover the entire top of any glass table. Round all corners to protect children who may fall against it. Be sure the piece of wood won't slip or fall off the table. If it does, put the coffee table in the garage and use something else.

The age of the children will determine the type of table used in place of the coffee table. You may want to bring in a small child's table or use a short camping table. Older children may be able to use a card table.

#6 Thanksgiving decorating tips for families with young children
Decorating the coffee table or replacement table.
Add a festive Thanksgiving tablecloth to the table. This provides a dash of color but still protects the table top from anything the kids might to do it.

#7 Thanksgiving decorating tips for families with young children
Thanksgiving inspired children's books make perfect age appropriate decorations. Stand them up on the table where children can reach them.

#8 Thanksgiving decorating tips for families with young children
Print some free printable coloring sheets from the internet. Place the sheets on the table with crayons. Give an adult a role of tape and let the adult be responsible for appropriately placing the coloring sheets. The kids will love seeing their art displayed. It will keep them occupied and give the guests instant conversation topics.

#9 Thanksgiving decorating tips for families with young children
Rethink throw rugs
Edges of throw rugs can cause people of any age to fall. They can be especially dangerous for kids running around the house. Secure the edges well or remove them and place in the garage.

#10 Thanksgiving decorating tips for families with young children
Bathroom
Towels and wash cloths in fall colors make the perfect bathroom decor. Place full size towels on the racks. Smaller hand towels and fingertip towels can go next to them. Roll up a small stack of similarly colored washcloths. Tie each with a wide ribbon.

Put the washcloths in a basket and place close to the soap. Use a clear plastic soap bottle that has either a Thanksgiving or harvest decoration on the front. Both the towels and soap add color and can also be used for spills or washing little hands.

Holidays should be a time of fun and togetherness. These Thanksgiving decorating tips for families with young children prove that homes with families of every age can be pretty as well.

Sources:
Personal experience