Thanksgiving activities for Kids
As the leaves change color and a chill enters the air, we know that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It’s a time of warmth, gratitude, and togetherness. But let’s be honest, it can also be a bit chaotic when you’re trying to juggle cooking, entertaining guests, and keeping the kids occupied.
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with fun and easy Thanksgiving crafts that your little ones will love. Not only will these crafts keep them entertained while you prepare the feast, but they’ll also add a unique touch to your Thanksgiving decorations.
Gratitude Tree
Create a “tree” using a small branch or brown paper cutout, and let kids write things they’re thankful for on paper leaves. Attach the leaves to the branches for a visual gratitude display.
Read more about this craft over at The DIY Lighthouse.
Turkey Handprint Art
We love this simple but effective Thankskgiving craft! Have kids dip their hands in paint or trace them on paper to create “turkey” shapes, then decorate with googly eyes, beaks, and feathers for a cute keepsake.
For a hassle free craft, you can also purchase a Turkey handprint template like this from Etsy.
What’s Your Turkey Name?
This fun game is a great icebreaker for guests of all ages and would also work well as a party game at a Friendsgiving celebration, or a fun classroom activity.
Each guest needs to find their Turkey name by following the instructions included, and then writes their fun new name on a sticker (template included). Award a prize for the silliest name!
This standalone game is also available as part of our Thanksgiving Games Bundle.
Pinecone Turkeys
Gather pinecones and use colorful feathers, googly eyes, and craft foam to create turkeys. These make adorable table decorations and are fun to assemble.
This cute template from Jane’s Designs includes a turkey pinecone design pattern as well as other animals:
Thanksgiving Game Bundle
Our Thanksgiving family games bundle features 13 family party games to add fun to your Thanksgiving or friendsgiving party!
Instructions, templates and everything you need to play is included. This is an instant download digital file for you to print at home, meaning it can make a great last minute addition to your Thanksgiving celebrations.
The games are as follows:
Scavenger Hunt
This one page scavenger hunt is fun for guests of all ages to hunt out Thanksgiving themed items inside and outside the home!
Thanksgiving Trivia
10 Thanksgiving themed multiple choice questions with answers included. A great after dinner game that can be played in teams for maximum fun.
True or False Quiz
True or false questions to add on to the quiz. All answers included.
Would You Rather / This or That?
A Thanksgiving themed version of the classic game. Great to encourage kids to discuss and explain their answers.
Thanksgiving Alphabet Race
Simple but fun! Set a challenge to think of a Thanksgiving rated word for each letter of the alphabet. Add to the fun by awarding prizes for the fastest, craziest or most original answers!
Candy Dice Game
A Thanksgiving version of the classic Candy Dice game.
Scattergories
The classic game where guests need to think of words in each category with the given letters. Bonus points if the words are Thanksgiving related!
Make A Word Game
How many words can you make out of the given Thanksgiving related word? Award points for each word as indicated on the score sheet.
Memory Game
A classic matching picture game for kids featuring Thanksgiving themed pictures.
Find Someone Who
Find the guest that matches the description. A great icebreaker game for all ages that encourages guests to mingle.
Who Am I
A charades style game where guests need to guess which Thanksgiving item they are by asking questions.
Drawing Game
Players are blindfolded and then must attempt to draw the described picture as accurately as possible. Bonus points are awarded for including specific details as outlined on the instructions.
What’s Your Turkey Name?
Also available separately. See above for the description.
Pumpkin Pie Playdough
Make homemade playdough with a Thanksgiving twist using this Pumpkin Pie Playdough recipe . Let kids “bake” their own mini pumpkin pies with rolling pins and plastic utensils. They will love this autumnal twist on a classic activity!
DIY Thankful Placemats
Let kids decorate placemats with drawings or lists of things they’re grateful for. Follow this step by step tutorial over on Craftulate. Laminating the placemats (or covering with clear contact paper) turns them into reusable keepsakes.
Paper Plate Turkey Craft
Use paper plates, paint, construction paper, and googly eyes to create colorful turkey faces to create these cute and fun Paper Plate Turkey Crafts. Kids can add feathers and write things they’re thankful for on each feather.
Corn Husk Dolls
With some adult help, kids can make traditional corn husk dolls using dried husks, twine, and markers. This craft connects to the fall harvest theme and makes for a cute decoration.
Follow this corn husk doll tutorial from Gift Of Curiosity blog.
Turkey Hat Headbands
Have kids make turkey hats with construction paper. Add googly eyes, a beak, and colorful feather “tail” for a fun hat they can wear throughout the holiday meal.
We hope these Thanksgiving crafts and activities will keep kids entertained and involved in the festivities!
Other Posts You May Like
How to host a Friendsgiving party
How to plan a kid’s Halloween party
Christmas Games and Activities For Kids
Christmas Party Games for Families
About The Author
Melissa is an Educational Consultant in the UK with over 25 years teaching experience. Through her expertise in creating educational resources for children she opened her Etsy shop, Gin&Gemini, in 2022 and quickly expanded her offering into the party planning niche, offering a range of physical and digital products for children’s parties, family celebrations, holidays and the bachelorette / hen party niche. She lives on a farm with her husband, young daughter and cats.
