15 ways to involve your children in the Thanksgiving holiday

Thanksgiving is just one week away, which means the craziness that comes with the holiday season is right around the corner—if it hasn’t already arrived, of course. 

But while it’s easy to get caught up in that mayhem, it’s important to not let it take away from what this holiday is all about. And that’s especially true for the kids.

After all, they’re the ones who will be responsible for keeping your family traditions alive in the future, so let’s not forget to involve them in the Thanksgiving madness this year.

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For example, letting your kids help with Thanksgiving decorations is a great way to get them in the holiday spirit, especially when all they can think about is Christmas. 

It also gives you an opportunity to teach them the meaning behind Thanksgiving, why we celebrate it, and the history behind this special day. 

And if you want to take it one step further, you can have an arts and crafts session with your kids and add some new decorations to the house each year—or even replace old ones. 

We do it with Christmas ornaments, so why not with all those turkey decorations?

With that said, here are 15 other ways you can involve your children in the Thanksgiving holiday. 

1. Let the kids help in the kitchen

I know what you’re thinking right now… Yes, the kitchen can get a little wild (and dangerous) on Thanksgiving Day, but that just means you have to think outside of the box. 

For starters, involve them in the grocery shopping process and teach them about all the ingredients and foods your family likes to eat for its Thanksgiving feast. 

You can even let them pick out their own side and make that your new tradition this year. 

At home, it’s probably easiest to let them help with prep work, turkey brining, side dishes, or anything else you might make ahead of time, especially if you want them out of the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day. 

Make sure you keep the young kids away from anything sharp, but you can let them wash vegetables, measure spices, knead dough, and pour, dump, stir or sprinkle anything that needs it. 

2. Let the kids set the dinner table

Most households have two tables to set up: the adults’ table and the kids’ table. 

You can certainly let them help set the adults’ table and can even let them make their own decorations for each guest, but the real fun lies at the kids’ table. 

My advice: let them go buck wild with it. It’s their table, so let them set it up however they’d like. 

@pixiedustandposies

Set a kids turkey table with us! 🧡🧡🧡 #thanksgivingtable #tablescape #tablescapestyling #thanksgiving #thanksgivingkidstable #mickeyturkey

♬ original sound – Rachel

Placemats, decorations, place cards so the kids can call “dibs” on a seat, and even the type of plates or utensils they use. Let them pick everything!

But don’t forget the real show-stopper: brown butcher paper and markers. 

Thanksgiving-themed tablecloths are great for the adult’s table, but the kids would likely ruin it. So, swap it out with some brown butcher paper and let them ruin it—with art!

Activity sheets also do well at the dinner table!

3. Have the kids share what they’re thankful for

There’s no better way to involve your kids in the Thanksgiving holiday than having them think about what they’re thankful for this year.

And while they might be shy, it’s important that they at least try to share those things with everyone else, especially if it’s something you do as a family. 

@lilylilz23

Gratitude speech at #thanksgiving dinner went wrong 😂😂#kidshavenofilter #thanksgivingdinner #fyp #kidshumor

♬ Funny – Gold-Tiger

Who knows, your child might surprise you with their eagerness to go first. But if they seem nervous, try going first to show them there’s nothing to be scared of. 

You can also make it an anonymous thing where you have everyone write down something they’re thankful for on a small slip of paper. 

Put them in a hat, distribute them randomly, and have everyone read what it says.

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4. Create a gratitude jar or thankful tree

Sharing what you’re thankful for might be a little too much for some kids at the dinner table. It’s also not something every household does, but even those that do might only do it at the adult’s table. 

That’s okay because there are plenty of other ways to spread gratitude this Thanksgiving holiday. 

And two of my all-time favorites are the gratitude jar and thankful tree. 

It’s something you can do with just the kids or with the family as a whole. Either way, it’s the perfect alternative to sharing your blessings at the table. 

The gratitude jar is simple and you can start adding to it now—that way, it’s full of blessings by Thanksgiving Day. 

@celenakinsey

This is my favorite tradition to do every year and it’s especially great for all of my parents who want to do a thankful tree but don’t really want to craft one themselves. Also if it makes you feel better- I don’t have our thankful tree up this year- I’m running a little behind schedule lately 😬. In fact I still have all of my Halloween decorations up…. Has anyone started decorating for Christmas yet??? #thanksgiving #thanksgivingvibes #thanksgivingfun #easydiy #homedecor

♬ original sound – Celena Kinsey

Just have your family gradually add to the jar as they come across things they’re thankful for. When the day comes, have everyone read them off, anonymously, one-by-one. 

You can even make it a game and have everyone guess who wrote it. 

As for the thankful tree, find yourself a small, three-foot tree with bare branches (or make your own with a vase and twigs) and cut construction paper into the shape of a leaf. 

Like the gratitude jar, have your family write what they’re thankful for on the leaf and hang it on the tree until it’s full of leaves. 

5. Play a Thanksgiving-themed game or activity

If your children find Thanksgiving to be boring or don’t seem to be connecting with the holiday, that just means you need to take a different approach. 

But don’t worry, Thanksgiving can be fun if you make it fun!

I’m talking about Thanksgiving-themed Bingo, trivial pursuit, pictionary, or even charades. Or you can take it a step further and play a game of ‘pin the feather on the turkey.’ 

@tiredmomsupermom

We already had Thanksgiving in Canada and my family enjoyed these fun games! We did candy and cash prizes, super easy! Most of these games can be purchased on Amazon or made at home. I prefer to make them myself but everyone is different, you do you! Most of all.. have FUN. blog post for more ideas: https://tiredmomsupermom.com/thanksgiving-games/

♬ The Sound of Silence (CYRIL Remix) – Disturbed

Scavenger hunts are another hit on Thanksgiving. And if you’ve never tried (or heard of) butternut squash bowling or turkey tag, then you’re missing out!

You could really play any game that they enjoy and give it a Thanksgiving or gratitude-related theme. Just have the loser share something they’re thankful for this year!

6. Take part in Thanksgiving-inspired arts and crafts

Kids love arts and crafts, so why not give them what they want this Thanksgiving? 

Making turkey headbands, painting with ears of corn, crafting a turkey out of construction paper, creating a homemade capotain, and decorations for the table, like a cornucopia. 

The possibilities are endless when it comes to Thanksgiving-themed arts and crafts!

@parasolco

Thankful for tiny hands and big memories 🧡 This little handprint turkey is the cutest keepsake for years to come! #ThanksgivingCraft #toddlerart #parasoldiapers #diapers #toddlerhack #momhack

♬ Arts and Crafts – View Points

You can also find a lot of artistic things to do with leaves, while also letting the kids burn some energy while they go out and find them. 

Activity sheets and coloring books are also great ways to keep your kids busy during the holiday while also helping them learn the meaning of Thanksgiving. 

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7. Teach them about the history of Thanksgiving

We’ve talked a lot about the meaning of Thanksgiving, but let’s not forget about the history behind it!

The good news is there are a lot of fun ways to teach your children that history and they’ll learn a little something in the process. 

@parentstogether

Scripts for Parents: Talking to kids about the real history of thanksgiving #parentsoftiktok #thanksgiving #holidaytiktok

♬ original sound – ParentsTogether

You can also read books or watch documentaries about Native Peoples and how the Thanksgiving holiday came to be. 

To get the kids involved, try a game of trivia and set it up like “Jeopardy.” Or set it up like “Wheel of Fortune” and have fun facts about Thanksgiving ready when they get a phrase right.

8. Donate food to the needy

There are nearly 47 million people in the United States who are food insecure, meaning they don’t have reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food, according to Feeding America. 

And this Thanksgiving, like all Thanksgivings, is a difficult time for each and every one of those people. 

But you and your family can help make this day that much more special for someone in need. 

The easiest way to help is by donating healthy, non-perishable food items to your local food bank. You can even have your guests each bring an item and drop the items off after the holiday. 

@danni_ek

It’s so rewarding watching our kids learn what it means to serve and give back to the community. All glory to God! #houstonnonprofits #houstonblogger #texasblogger #fyp #viral #trending #givingback

♬ Altar (Sped Up) – Hulvey & Forrest Frank

Some Thanksgiving-related items to donate include boxed stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, canned vegetables, dry macaroni, cranberry sauce, and canned pumpkin.

Many food banks and local organizations also organize a Thanksgiving Food Drive that you and the kids can take part in. 

Either way, donating food is a positive thing that will give your kids a new perspective on how blessed they really are. 

9. Have the kids pick a Thanksgiving show or movie

If a documentary about Thanksgiving isn’t striking the right chords, then try a TV show or movie!

Some popular Thanksgiving specials for young kids include “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (1973), “Garfield’s Thanksgiving” (1989), “An Arthur Thanksgiving” (2020), “Dora’s Thanksgiving Parade” (2010), and “Free Birds” (2013).

Popular picks for teens include “Friendsgiving” (2020), “Home for the Holidays” (1995), “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (Season 1, Episode 10), “Grey’s Anatomy” (Season 2, Episode 9), and “Seinfeld” (Season 6, Episode 8). 

@thefilmdiva

10 movies to watch this Thanksgiving with Family. 🍁🎃🦃 #filmtok #fyp #thanksgiving #movierecommendation #thanksgivingvibes #whattowatch #netflix #disneyplus #movies #foryoupage #holiday #spookyseason

♬ original sound – TheFilmDiva

But as most of us know, most sitcoms and TV shows have at least one Thanksgiving episode, so pick whichever one your kids like the most!

And let’s not forget about the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which will air from 8:30a ET to 12p ET on Peacock and NBC. 

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10. Let the kids crack a wishbone

All turkeys have a wishbone, also known as the furcula, that’s located near the bird’s breast.

“Its elastic nature serves as a spring, which flexes when the turkey flaps its wings. That ‘spring’ releases energy for the wings,” Bill Nolan, a supervisor of the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line, told “Reader’s Digest.” 

So, what does this have to do with Thanksgiving? 

@cbirdcooks

thankgiving is coming so here’s how to properly break a wishbone 🦴🙂‍↕️🍂 #wishbone #turkeyrecipes #thanksgiving

♬ Monkeyshine-JP – Lt FitzGibbons Men

The Thanksgiving tradition is to have two people hold a side of the wishbone. They each make a wish before pulling on the wishbone. Whoever has the bigger piece gets their wish granted. 

According to Nolan, the best way to win is to pick the thicker side, grasping the bone closer to the top, and letting the other person do most of the work. 

But don’t tell your kids that—it’ll ruin the fun!

11. Volunteer at a local shelter or food drive

Donating non-perishable food items is one way to give back with your kids this Thanksgiving, but you can also volunteer if you have the time to give this holiday season. 

To get started, use online platforms like VolunteerMatch or Feeding America to find food banks and shelters near you. 

You can also contact local community centers, churches, or non-profits to inquire about opportunities. 

@nbcphiladelphia

One Pennsylvania food drive is working extra hard to make sure their neighbors have access to everything they need this Thanksgiving. #nbc10philly #thanksgiving #pennsylvania #fooddrive #foodpantry

♬ original sound – nbcphiladelphia

Keep in mind that some organizations might require an application, background check, or orientation session before starting. So, make sure you sign up in advance to give yourself time!

There will likely be several different roles available, so pick one that suits you and your child. 

While this is a great Thanksgiving tradition to start every year, you can also make it something your family does every holiday or even monthly. Your blessings are welcome year-round!

12. Run in your local Turkey Trot as a family

A Turkey Trot is a fun, often family-friendly running event typically held on or around Thanksgiving Day in the United States.

It’s a great way to burn some energy and get your body moving before the day even gets started.

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