Thanksgiving is almost here! This is the perfect time of year to reconnect with loved ones and spend some time in the company of your family and friends.
Did You Know? Thanksgiving wasn’t an official holiday in the United States until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln declared it a national holiday.
Nowadays, we traditionally celebrate Thanksgiving by sharing a meal with our loved ones and showing thanks for what we have. No matter how you choose to spend the holiday, it can be a special day for the whole family. Here are 4 fun ways to celebrate Thanksgiving with your kids:
Cook together
Thanksgiving usually centers around food, so involve your kids in the celebration by having them help you out in the kitchen! Cooking with your children also gets them off their digital devices, makes them feel included, and gives you the opportunity to bond while teaching them valuable life skills.
Younger children can help by washing fruits and vegetables, filling measuring cups, mixing ingredients, or reading the recipe for you. Older children can take on more complicated tasks, like cracking eggs, preheating the oven, or using a rolling pin. Depending on how old they are, they may even be able to help with cutting and dicing.
You can also give your kids ownership of the process and keep them safe in the kitchen by letting them have their own cooking sets, such as these kid-friendly knives!
Cooking allows kids to try new foods, practice following directions, and gain a sense of accomplishment when they’re able to enjoy the meal they helped make.
Show gratitude
For many families gathered at Thanksgiving, a common tradition is for each family member to name something they’re thankful for. This activity is a great way to get your children thinking about gratitude and about everything in their lives they can appreciate.
If you’re able to, you can also show gratitude by giving back to your community with service projects or donation drives. Many areas hold special food drives around the holiday season, and participating with your kids will teach them the importance of giving and showing kindness to those in need.
Children can also help by collecting old toys and clothes to give away. It can be difficult for young kids to give away their belongings, especially anything they might have a sentimental attachment to, but it may help them to know that other kids will be able to get joy from things they themselves no longer use, like clothes they’ve grown out of or toys they don’t play with anymore.
Check out your local branches of organizations dedicated to aiding people experiencing poverty, hunger, or homelessness. Organizations such as Goodwill, Habitat For Humanity, Feeding America, and Toys For Tots are doing great work for families all over the country.
Make crafts
Get into the spirit of the season by making some themed crafts! The hand turkey is a classic Thanksgiving activity, but it’s not the only one.
Our Paper Bag Turkey can be a creative centerpiece for your table! You and your kids can also show gratitude by writing who or what you’re thankful for on the paper feathers.
The finished product is a fun, 3D turkey! Check out our Paper Bag Turkey video tutorial.
Another great craft you and your kids can make is Beaded Corn. This unique project will add some new colors to your fall decorations.
The only materials you need to make your own ear of corn are pipe cleaners (6 should be enough) and a variety of beads. You can get creative and add whatever beads you’d like! Check out our video tutorial for Beaded Corn.
If you don’t have the time or materials for one of these crafts, you can also check out our Thanksgiving Coloring Activity.
All you have to do is print it out, and get coloring! Download the Thanksgiving Coloring Activity.
No matter how old you are, making themed crafts is a great way to have some fun during the holiday season!
Connect with loved ones
Staying in touch with close friends and family who live far away can sometimes be difficult. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to connect with loved ones your children don’t get to see very often.
Talk to friends and family on the phone or with a video call so you and your kids can hear their voices or even see their faces. With so much technology available to us today, including Zoom, Skype, and Google Hangouts, there’s no excuse not to stay in touch.
You can also have your children write letters to send in the mail. Sending and receiving personal, handwritten mail is both meaningful and fun! If your children are too young to write, have them draw a picture to mail out instead.
Children greatly benefit from having good relationships with adults other than their parents or guardians, so it’s important for them to keep those close connections, even over long distances.
Thanksgiving is a time when people express love and gratitude to friends, family, and neighbors. Enjoy the time spent with your kids and all your other loved ones, and have a fun holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!
