Thanksgiving Activities For Young Kids: Keep Them Engaged and Entertained
Hey readers,
Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and fun. But if you’re hosting little ones this year, you might be wondering how to keep them entertained while you’re busy cooking and cleaning. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are some fun and educational Thanksgiving activities that are perfect for young kids.
Creative Activities
1. Thanksgiving Crafts:
- Turkey Handprints: Dip little hands in paint and stamp them on paper to create adorable turkey handprints. Add details like eyes, beak, and feathers with markers or crayons.
- Cornucopia Paper Plates: Fill paper plates with construction paper, beans, corn kernels, and other materials to create colorful cornucopias.
- Thankful Garland: Cut out leaf shapes from paper and have kids write or draw what they’re thankful for. String them together to create a festive garland.
2. Sensory Play:
- Fall Sensory Bin: Fill a bin with autumn-themed materials like leaves, acorns, pumpkins, pine cones, and glitter. Let kids explore the different textures and shapes.
- Pumpkin Playdough: Make pumpkin-scented playdough by adding pumpkin puree and cinnamon to regular playdough. Let kids mold, squish, and create with their imaginations.
- Cornstarch Slime: Mix cornstarch and water to create a slippery, gooey slime. Add food coloring for a festive touch.
Educational Activities
1. Thanksgiving Storytime:
- Read Classic Tales: Gather kids around for Thanksgiving-themed stories like “The Night Before Thanksgiving” or “Turkey Trouble.”
- Puppet Show: Create simple puppets using paper bags or socks and put on a fun Thanksgiving-themed puppet show.
- Sing Thanksgiving Songs: Teach kids traditional Thanksgiving songs like “Over the River and Through the Wood” or “We Gather Together.”
2. Math and Science:
- Turkey Number Counting: Write numbers on turkey feathers and hide them around the room. Have kids find the feathers and count them in order.
- Pumpkin Science: Cut open a pumpkin and explore the inside. Talk about the different parts of the pumpkin and its life cycle.
- Thanksgiving Graph: Create a graph with categories like “Favorite Thanksgiving Food” or “What I’m Thankful For.” Have kids vote and color in the bars.
3. Physical Activities:
- Turkey Trot: Organize a mini “Turkey Trot” race for kids around the backyard or neighborhood. Award prizes for the fastest “turkeys.”
- Pumpkin Bowling: Set up empty bottles or cans as pins and use small pumpkins as bowling balls.
- Cornhole: Create a mini cornhole game using cardboard boxes and corn kernels.
Table of Thanksgiving Activities
| Activity | Age Range | Materials | Educational Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey Handprints | 2+ | Paper, paint, markers | Fine motor skills, creativity |
| Cornucopia Paper Plates | 3+ | Paper plates, construction paper, beans | Art appreciation, creativity |
| Fall Sensory Bin | 18mo+ | Leaves, acorns, pumpkins, glitter | Sensory exploration, fine motor skills |
| Pumpkin Playdough | 2+ | Pumpkin puree, cinnamon, playdough | Sensory play, creativity |
| Cornstarch Slime | 3+ | Cornstarch, water, food coloring | Science, sensory play |
| Thanksgiving Storytime | All ages | Books, puppets | Literacy, storytelling |
| Turkey Number Counting | 3+ | Turkey feathers, numbers | Number recognition, counting |
| Pumpkin Science | 4+ | Pumpkin, knife | Science, observation |
| Turkey Trot | All ages | Open space | Physical activity, competition |
| Pumpkin Bowling | 3+ | Empty bottles, pumpkins | Physical activity, hand-eye coordination |
Conclusion
With these fun and educational Thanksgiving activities, you can keep your little ones engaged and entertained while you prepare for the big feast. So gather your kids, put on some festive music, and enjoy some quality family time this Thanksgiving.
For more Thanksgiving-themed ideas and activities, be sure to check out our other articles on [Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids](link to article) and [Thanksgiving Recipes for Kids](link to article).
FAQ about Thanksgiving Activities For Young Kids
What are some age-appropriate Thanksgiving activities for toddlers?
- Building a gratitude box: Decorate a box with construction paper, paint, or other materials for kids to put things they are grateful for inside.
- Having a Thanksgiving-themed sensory bin: Fill a bin with fall-themed items like leaves, acorns, and pumpkin seeds for kids to explore with their hands.
- Playing a Thanksgiving-themed matching game: Create pairs of cards with Thanksgiving-themed images and have kids match them up.
What are some Thanksgiving activities that preschoolers will enjoy?
- Making Thanksgiving-themed crafts: Try making handprint or footprint turkeys, leaf rubbings, or paper bag pilgrims.
- Playing a Thanksgiving-themed board game: There are many different board games available that are perfect for preschoolers, such as Candy Land Thanksgiving Edition or Chutes and Ladders Turkey Trot.
- Helping to prepare Thanksgiving dinner: Kids can help with simple tasks like setting the table or mixing ingredients.
What are some educational Thanksgiving activities for elementary school kids?
- Learning about the history of Thanksgiving: Talk to kids about the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving feast.
- Reading Thanksgiving-themed books: There are many great Thanksgiving-themed books for kids, such as “The Night Before Thanksgiving” by Natasha Wing and “Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’” by Eileen Spinelli.
- Creating a Thanksgiving gratitude journal: Have kids write or draw one thing they are grateful for each day leading up to Thanksgiving.
What are some fun Thanksgiving activities for kids of all ages?
- Going on a nature walk: Take a walk in the woods or park and look for signs of fall, such as changing leaves, acorns, and turkeys.
- Playing Thanksgiving-themed charades: Write down different Thanksgiving-related words or phrases and have kids take turns acting them out.
- Watching a Thanksgiving movie: There are several great Thanksgiving movies that are perfect for families to watch together, such as “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” or “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”
What are some simple Thanksgiving activities that can be done with limited supplies?
- Making paper bag turkeys: All you need is a paper bag, construction paper, markers, and glue.
- Playing a Thanksgiving-themed Pictionary game: Use a whiteboard or piece of paper and have kids take turns drawing Thanksgiving-related words or phrases.
- Having a Thanksgiving sing-along: Sing some classic Thanksgiving songs, such as “Over the River and Through the Wood” or “We Gather Together.”
What are some Thanksgiving activities that are good for developing fine motor skills?
- Stringing popcorn: Thread popcorn onto a piece of yarn or string to create a Thanksgiving decoration.
- Making Thanksgiving-themed playdough: Add Thanksgiving spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to playdough for a fun sensory experience.
- Tracing Thanksgiving shapes: Print out Thanksgiving-themed shapes and have kids trace them with their fingers or a pencil.
What are some Thanksgiving activities that are good for developing language skills?
- Playing a Thanksgiving-themed I Spy game: Describe a Thanksgiving-related object and have kids guess what it is.
- Telling Thanksgiving stories: Have kids take turns telling stories about Thanksgiving or their favorite Thanksgiving memories.
- Reading Thanksgiving-themed poems: Read aloud Thanksgiving-themed poems and discuss their meaning with kids.
What are some Thanksgiving activities that are good for developing social skills?
- Playing Thanksgiving-themed cooperative games: Games like Thanksgiving Bingo or Thanksgiving Charades encourage kids to work together as a team.
- Having a Thanksgiving-themed gratitude circle: Sit in a circle and have kids share things they are grateful for.
- Doing a Thanksgiving-themed community service project: Volunteer at a local food bank or soup kitchen to help others in need.
What are some Thanksgiving activities that are good for developing creativity?
- Making Thanksgiving-themed art projects: Let kids use their imaginations to create Thanksgiving-themed drawings, paintings, or sculptures.
- Writing Thanksgiving-themed poems or stories: Encourage kids to express their creativity through writing.
- Composing Thanksgiving-themed music: Have kids sing or play Thanksgiving-themed songs or create their own Thanksgiving-themed music.