Keep the little ones entertained this Thanksgiving with fun, festive activities that capture the holiday spirit.
From crafts to games, these ideas will make the day memorable and keep kids happily engaged.
Here are some exciting Thanksgiving activities for kids to enjoy.
Play a Thanksgiving Game
You can get the kids to help make the pieces for this game, a colorful take on the easy dice contest “Left Center Right,” or just let them roll with it at the children’s table.
Get the tutorial at Chica and Jo.
Fill in ‘I’m So Grateful’ Coloring Sheets
Feeling frazzled? Coloring sheets to the rescue! These printables are one-part placemat, one-part coloring sheet, and one-part thoughtful gratitude activity.
Get the tutorial at Thirty Handmade Days.
Make Gourd Turkeys
All you need to make these gourd turkeys come to life is a bit of imagination, some feathers, and of course googly eyes. The gourds themselves are easy to find at any supermarket around Thanksgiving time.
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.
Set out a Color Sorting Activity
Ages 2-8 can participate in this fun, simple sorting activity. It’s as educational as it is easy to explain.
Get the tutorial at Smart Schoolhouse.
UnplannedWhimsy Assemble a Turkey Banner
This felt turkey banner kit for little crafters comes with all the pieces pre-cut and ready to assemble. Hang it on the front door, or have kids each make one for their rooms.
Do a Word Search Game
Word searches are the perfect quiet, non-rowdy activity for kids of all ages. This one, which features a silly Thanksgiving theme, is exciting and rewarding to boot.
Get the tutorial at Sugar and Charm.
Color a Placemat
We know things can get a little hectic on Thanksgiving Day. If you don’t have time to DIY a coloring placemat this year, grab these placemats instead—and get ready to make your littlest guests really, really happy.
Wear a Turkey Crowns
To ensure these crowns are sturdy and ready to make a statement, print ’em on heavier cardstock, which kids can color and paint on, too.
Get the tutorial at Printable Crush.
Sponge-Paint a Thanksgiving Turkey
Your kids will love sponge painting the turkey’s “feathers,” while you’ll adore how inexpensive crafting with paper plates can be.
Get the tutorial at The Resourceful Mama.
Create Leaf Fox Art
Send the kids outside to forage for the brightest leaves they can find before dinner. Not only will they burn off some energy, but they’ll also find the perfect pieces to make these cute critters.
Get the tutorial at Glued to My Craft Blog.
Craft then Eat a Candy Cornucopia
This horn of plenty is fun for kids of all ages to create, and when stuffed with autumn-themed sweets like candy corn and pumpkins it will make for a charming table centerpiece.
Get the tutorial at Happiness is Homemade.
Fill up a Gratitude Jar
Have little ones—or everyone!—share what they’re thankful for by placing this jar, strips of paper, and a few pens at the table. After dinner, wrap up your feast on a sweet note by having kiddos read the slips aloud while dessert is served.
Get the tutorial at Doodle Bug Blog.
Play the I Spy Game
If there’s one activity that will keep ’em occupied all dinner (heck, all day!), it’s this scavenger hunt game.
Get the tutorial at Live Laugh Rowe.
Setup Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe
If your table is tight on space, you can make a more compact version with small rocks and washi tape.
Get the tutorial at Project Kid.
Play with Felt Leaf Finger Puppets
Now only will these adorbs finger puppets keep the kiddos occupied while they’re making them, they’ll keep their attention as they play with them—leaving you free to keep an eye on the bird.
Get the tutorial at Crafts by Amanda.
Make Turkey Tracks
This fun and thrifty craft will keep your kids busy until Thanksgiving dinner is served.
Get the tutorial at Fun-A-Day.
Munch on Chocolate Covered Pretzels in a Turkey Jar
Place this Thanksgiving arrangement in the center of the table. Kids will love getting to gobble on a delicious dessert all night long.
Get the tutorial at Inside Bru Crew Life.
Set up a Thankful Tree with Clay Gratitude Leaves
Teach the kiddos the reason for the season while making this lovely thankful tree. The marbled clay leaves can be hand stamped or hand written with words of gratitude.
Get the tutorial at Rhythms of Play.
Craft Fall Wind Chimes
This project begins with a walk in the woods with the kids to gather sticks, pinecones, rocks, and other goodies, and ends with a wonderful set of autumn-themed wind chimes you’ll be proud to hang on your front porch.
Get the tutorial at The Benson Street.
Make Caramel Apples
Having kids help make their own dessert will not only keep them entertained but will also take some of the work off your hand.
Bob for Apples
If the kids just can’t sit still anymore, send them out back to try and “catch” andapple. To set up simply fill a wide galvanized bucked with water and float apples in it. Let the fun begin!
Compete at Tree Slab Tic-Tac-Toe
When set in the middle of the table kids can have a friendly tic-tac-toe competition between dinner and dessert.
To make: Pick up a round wood slab and four leather strips. On the slab, form a grid (pictured at left) with the strips and secure each end with an upholstery tack. Once in the woods, gather two five-piece groupings of found objects such as small rocks and pine cones to use as game pieces.
Play Spin-the-Pie Game
Let kids craft then spin to unveil six slices of life (Family, Friends, Travel, Home, Pets, Work), each of which is intended to conjure a memory for which they’re grateful.
To make: Segment the center of a paper plate into six sections; write prompts in each. Cut a smaller round from colorful craft paper; remove one “slice” for category window. Attach wheel to plate with a gold brad. Attach jute rope to rim with hot-glue. Add stenciled letters. (For Thanksgiving, try “Lattice Give Thanks…”)
Play Butternut Squash Bowling
This easy way to get the kids out from underfoot will keep them entertained for hours (they do have to reset the butternut squash pins after knocking them down after-all). Number the butternut squash for scoring or simply keep track of who knocks the most pins down. No basketball on hand? Use a stemless pumpkin instead!
Make Story Stones
No matter what theme you choose – summer camp or fall festival – once kids have spent time creating their stones there will be no end to the stories they can fashion with them.
Play Pickup Sticks
Also known as jackstraws or spillikans, this game of skill and dexterity goes back (at least) to the 1800s, when sticks were made of ivory or bone. To create your own version, you’ll need anywhere from 30-50 wooden sticks (we used bamboo skewers). Bunch them all in one hand, then lay your jumbled pile on a flat surface. (The more jumbled, the better!).
Bonus: If you want to add another layer of challenge, you can spray-paint sticks assorted colors, like shown, and assign point values to each color (1 for a red stick, 5 for a green, and so on).
Make a Pumpkin Napkin
Have the little help fold pumpkin napkins to set a festive, seasonal table.
Have a Conversation with a Tin Can Telephone
The kids will be whispering a giggling all day long with a fun set of tin can phones. Who needs a smart phone??!!
Scribble on Butcher Paper Tablecloths
When it comes to pint-size partygoers, embrace the butcher paper. It evokes a rustic feel, doubles as a coloring surface, and makes for quick cleanup. You can also add an “I’m thankful for” fill-in-the-blank activity at each place setting and bundle colored pencils with the napkin topping each vintage enamelware plate. Store-bought turkey hats serve up particularly precious photo ops.
Make a DIY Thanksgiving Piñata
If this is your very first introduction to the idea of a “Thanksgiving piñata,” well…you’re welcome! Stuff this paper bird with confetti and small candies, then let kids have at it once the meal is through. In the meantime, it can act as a gorgeous kids’ table centerpiece.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Color Turkey Tail Napkin Rings
Here’s an activity that can double as a pretty place card and a napkin ring all in one. Cut out the turkey, arrange the napkin within it as pictured, then set out a few crayons and let the fun begin!
Get the tutorial at Darcy Miller Designs.
Make Fall Leaf Suncatchers
Kids can create fall leaf suncatchers with this fun and easy craft. It’s an easy, colorful way to add a festive fall touch to windows.
Paint Woodland Creatures Painting Kit
As far as we’re concerned, it’s never too early to kick off the holidays. Little ones can start by painting these adorable woodland animal ornaments. The kit comes with everything they’ll need, including paint, twine, and pre-cut wood disks.