acozyfuture.com - Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and gratitude. However, keeping kids entertained while the turkey cooks can be tricky.
Boredom often leads to restless little ones tugging at your sleeve just as you’re juggling mashed potatoes and pies. The good news? With the right activities, you can keep kids happily engaged and out of the kitchen chaos.
Take a look at our list of some fun Thanksgiving activities for kids that make waiting for dinner stress-free and joyful!
8 Thanksgiving Activities for Kids While the Turkey Cooks
Keeping kids busy while the turkey roasts doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little planning, you can turn waiting time into fun family moments.
Here are eight simple Thanksgiving activities for kids that keep them entertained, engaged, and excited until it’s time to eat!
🎨 Thanksgiving Coloring Pages & Crafts
Set up a “craft station” with coloring pages, crayons, markers, scissors, and glue. Print out themed sheets (e.g., turkeys, pumpkins, cornucopias, or pilgrims) for kids to color.
You can also provide materials for easy crafts, such as paper-plate turkeys or handprint art. These Thanksgiving activities encourage creativity, keep little hands busy, and even double as holiday decorations for your dinner table.
It’s a mess-contained way to occupy kids while you cook!
🍂 Thanksgiving Activities for Kids: Gratitude Tree or Thankful Jar
Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, making this activity both fun and meaningful. Give kids paper leaves to cut out and write what they’re thankful for on each one.
If your children are younger, they can draw pictures instead of writing words. Hang the leaves on a small branch in a vase (a gratitude tree) or place them in a clear jar.
Later, read them aloud as a family before or after the Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a sweet way to spark conversations about thankfulness!
🥁 DIY Thanksgiving Parade at Home
Not everyone gets to attend the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person. Fret not! Kids can host their own version right at home.
Encourage them to dress up in costumes, make floats out of cardboard boxes, or create signs to carry. Provide toy instruments, whistles, or even pots and pans for music.
The kids can march around the house or backyard, and parents can record the fun on video. This Thanksgiving activity for kids burns off energy and adds laughter to the day.
🦃 Thanksgiving Activities for Kids: Turkey-Themed Games
Turn downtime into game time with Thanksgiving twists on classic favorites. For example:
Pin the Feather on the Turkey
A holiday spin on “Pin the Tail on the Donkey”.
Turkey Bowling
Use empty plastic bottles as bowling pins, decorate them with paper feathers, and let kids roll a soft ball to knock them down.
Scavenger Hunt
Hide small Thanksgiving-themed items (e.g., toy pumpkins, leaves, and paper turkeys) around the house for kids to find.
These games get kids moving and laughing, and they’re perfect for different age groups!
Read More: 15 Best Thanksgiving Games for Kids: Fun for the Whole Family
📚 Thanksgiving Storytime or Puppet Show
Gather a few Thanksgiving-themed books such as A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, Turkey Trouble, or Bear Says Thanks. Create a cozy reading nook with blankets and pillows where kids can listen to a parent, sibling, or grandparent read aloud.
If your kids are more theatrical, encourage them to put on a mini puppet show by retelling the story with stuffed animals or paper puppets. This activity is both entertaining and educational, providing kids with a calm break during the busy holiday season.
🍳 Thanksgiving Activities for Kids: Simple Kitchen Helper Tasks
Kids often want to feel included in holiday prep, and letting them help in small ways keeps them engaged while giving you an extra set of hands. Assign age-appropriate tasks:
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Toddlers: washing veggies, stirring pre-measured ingredients, and placing rolls in a basket.
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Older kids: folding napkins, setting the table, arranging dessert trays, or measuring simple ingredients.
By involving them, you not only keep them occupied but also teach them responsibility and teamwork.
Read More: 10 Thanksgiving Side Dishes Your Toddler Will Gobble Up
📺 Watch Thanksgiving Movies or Short Films
If the kids need some downtime (and you need a breather), a Thanksgiving-themed movie can be a lifesaver. Options include classic Thanksgiving movies for kids (e.g., Free Birds) or even short festive episodes from kids’ favorite shows.
Select something lighthearted, family-friendly, and suitable for all ages. This gives kids a chance to relax while you focus on finishing the turkey and side dishes!
Read More: 10 Best Thanksgiving Movies for Kids to Watch This Year
📸 Create a Thanksgiving Photo Booth
Turn a corner of your living room into a mini photo booth with a simple backdrop (e.g., a festive tablecloth or paper leaves taped to the wall). Add fun props such as turkey hats, pilgrim beards, or printable signs that say “Gobble Gobble”.
Give kids a camera or let them use a phone with supervision and let them take turns being the photographer and model. Not only does this activity entertain them, but it also gives you memorable holiday snapshots to treasure!
Now that you’ve got 8 fun Thanksgiving activities for kids, let’s take it a step further with some helpful tips!
4 Tips for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving with Kids
☑️ Mix active games with quiet activities to balance energy.
☑️ Choose activities that fit your children’s ages and interests.
☑️ Encourage older kids to guide or play with younger siblings.
☑️ Keep craft supplies, coloring pages, or small games ready before cooking starts.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean stressed-out parents and restless kids. With these eight Thanksgiving activities for kids, your little ones can stay happily engaged while you finish cooking the feast.
From crafts and games to meaningful gratitude traditions, each idea adds joy to the holiday and helps create memories that last. Try them out this year for a smoother, more festive Thanksgiving celebration!
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10 Thanksgiving Side Dishes Your Toddler Will Gobble Up