The Best Thanksgiving Activities for Kids

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays around here.  There is just something about the fall weather, the leaf piles everywhere and the smell of turkey and stuffing cooking in the oven that just warms my heart.  If the weather is nice (as it so often is in November in California), we might even head to the park for a family game of football. But when we get back and the adults are busy setting the table and cooking dinner (and probably icing some football injuries!), the kids still need something to do! So I have scoured my favorite resources and found 30 of the best Thanksgiving activities for kids. From games to crafts to food, I am sharing my very favorite fun ways to keep the kids entertained on Thanksgiving.

The Best Thanksgiving Activities for Kids

Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

One of my favorite ways to keep the kids entertained on Thanksgiving is with a fun fall craft.  As always, I need it to be simple to prepare and easy for a wide variety of ages of children.  I scoured Pinterest for the best Thanksgiving crafts for kids and I found some fantastic ideas. The leaf mural is great for including toddlers and would make beautiful wall art. The Nature Thanksgiving Banner doubles as an activity and a craft as you start with a nature scavenger hunt and then put those treasures to good use by creating a decorative banner.  The other banner I love is the Paint Chip Pumpkin Pie Banner- it’s just so cute and the kids could help with cutting and gluing. I could go on and on, but its time for you to check them out for yourselves!

Paint Chip Pumpkin Pie Banner from Raising Whasians
Pear Monogram Place Cards from Joy in the Works
Thankfulness Chain Activity from the Joys of Boys
Candy Corn Turkey Craft from Crafty Morning
Leaf Rubbing Mural from Filth Wizardry
Thumbprint Turkey Name Cards from Silly Eagle Books
Nature Collage Happy Thanksgiving Banner from Joy in the Works
Zentangle Turkeys from Play Dr. Mom
Leaf Turkey Craft from Meg Duerksen of Whatever

Thanksgiving Games and Activities for Kids

Now, crafts aren’t for everyone and it can be challenging to pick projects that appeal to a wide variety of ages. I find that Thanksgiving games and activities can appeal to a wider variety of kids (and adults!). There are some really fun activities that I think everyone will love. I mean, who doesn’t want to play Thanksgiving Charades or Pin the Tail on the Turkey? There are some great printables here too. Check out them out below:

Turkey Baster Relay from The Inspired Treehouse
Pin the Tail on the Turkey from Living Well Mom
Turkey Balloon Rockets from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Thanksgiving Charades from I Can Teach My Child
Turkey Hunt from Bloom Designs
Thanksgiving Pictionary from I Dig Pinterest
Turkey Tag from Let’s Get Together
Thanksgiving Mad Libs from My Sister’s Suitcase
Turkey Bowling from The Seasoned Mom
Thanksgiving BINGO from Crazy Little Projects
Thankful ABC’s from Written Reality
Stuff the Turkey from Kid Friendly Things to Do
Racing Turkeys Number Game from Mom Inspired Life
Roll a Turkey from Lemon Squeezy Home
Turkey Guess Who? from Mrs. Home Economist

Thanksgiving Food Crafts for Kids

Honestly, I think Thanksgiving food crafts give kids the best of both worlds. When creating something out of food, not only are the kids doing an activity, but also a craft! But, let’s be honest. We all know the best part is that the kids get to eat the final product! =) I am pretty particular when I pick food crafts as I think it’s important that kids can actually participate and it’s not just an adult doing all the work. I think these Thanksgiving food crafts may need a bit of help, but the majority of the work will be kid done. My personal favorite are the turkey cupcakes but I would never turn down a donut hole acorn either!

Ice Cream Cone Tee Pees from Frugal Coupon Living
Chocolate Covered Pretzel Turkeys from Crafts a la Mode
Turkey Cupcakes from Six Sisters Stuff
Donut Hole Acorns from Taste and See
Ice Cream Cone Cornucopia from Daily DIY Life
Pilgrim Hat Cookies from She Saved
Chocolate Covered Pretzels in a Turkey Jar from Bru Crew Life
Scarecrow Cookies by the Reluctant Entertainer from The Reluctant Entertainer

Well, what do you think? Would these activities keep your kids entertained on Thanksgiving day? Do you have any other activities you have done with your kids (or grandkids or nieces or nephews!) that have been successful? I am all for the kids helping out with Thanksgiving dinner, of course, but holidays can be made extra special when you add some extra activities like these. Thanks to all the other bloggers for letting me share your stuff!