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fun thanksgiving
activities for kids
Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and gratitude — but if you’re a mom, you know it can also be one of the busiest days of the year. Between cooking, setting the table, and hosting guests, finding ways to keep your kids happy (and out of the kitchen) can feel like a challenge.
That’s why we’ve rounded up fun Thanksgiving activities for kids that are easy to set up, mess-free, and guaranteed to keep little hands busy while you finish your holiday prep. From crafts and games to baking and scavenger hunts, these ideas will help make Thanksgiving fun for the whole family.
Fun Thanksgiving activities for kids
1. Thanksgiving Craft Table
Turn part of your family room into a Thanksgiving craft station where kids can create festive decorations and keepsakes. This is a great idea for keeping kids occupied while you cook and clean, but it can also become a memorable family tradition for after Thanksgiving dinner. Kids can entertain themselves with these easy to make crafts that Moms will want to save for years to come.
YOU WILL NEED:
easy thanksgiving crafts for kids
Paper Plate Turkeys: Let kids paint paper plates and glue on construction paper feathers, eyes, and a beak.
Gratitude Trees: Cut out a tree trunk from brown paper and have kids write something they’re thankful for on paper “leaves.”
Pinecone Turkeys: Glue feathers and googly eyes to pinecones for a cute nature craft.
Mom Tip: Cover the table with craft paper or a disposable tablecloth for a quick cleanup
Mom Tip: If you love doing crafts with your kids, check out Quick & and Easy Fall Crafts For Kids To Make This Season or 10 Easy Halloween Crafts For Kids for more great ideas.
2. Turkey Trot Scavenger Hunt
Get the kids up and moving with a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt — the perfect way to burn off energy before dinner. Kids will love trying to find everything on the list, while parents have time to socialize with family or add the finishing touches to Thanksgiving dinner.
How to Play:
Hide fall-themed items around your house or yard like mini pumpkins, candy corn, or toy turkeys.
Give kids a list or clues to find each one.
Ideas to Include:
-
Something orange
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A feather
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A pinecone
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A pumpkin
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A picture of a turkey
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A picture of a pilgrim
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An acorn
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Something brown
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Maple leaf
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Pumpkin Pie
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Apple
Bonus: Add a small prize at the end — like stickers or a little treat — for extra excitement. Check out these Thanksgiving themed favors for more ideas.
3. Thanksgiving Coloring Station
A coloring table is one of the easiest Thanksgiving activities for kids to set up.
Print free Thanksgiving coloring pages featuring turkeys, pumpkins, and pilgrims, and lay out crayons, markers, and colored pencils. You can also find mini Thanksgiving coloring books here.
You can even make it a coloring contest with prizes for “Most Creative,” “Most Colorful,” or “Silliest Turkey.”
Printable Idea: Create custom sheets where kids can write what they’re thankful for inside a turkey or leaf outline.
4. Decorate Thanksgiving Treats
Let your little chefs help with dessert! Decorating treats is one of the most fun family Thanksgiving ideas that also helps kids feel involved in the big day. Save time by purchasing sugar cookies or cupcakes already made and let your kids get to work. It’s creative, delicious, and adds a festive touch to your dessert table!
Thanksgiving Treat Ideas:
Turkey Cupcakes: Use chocolate frosting, candy corn for feathers, and candy eyes.
Pilgrim Hat Cookies: Stack a fudge-striped cookie with a chocolate-dipped marshmallow on top.
Leaf Cookies: Cut out sugar cookies in leaf shapes (or buy some already made) and decorate with orange and yellow icing.
Mom Tip: Check out Pumpkin, Apples & More: 10 Fall Recipes Kids Will Love for more ideas
5. “What I’m Thankful For” Game
Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, and this thankful game for kids is a sweet way to bring that to life.
How to Play:
Go around the table and have everyone share something they’re thankful for — but with a fun twist! Each person must name something that starts with the next letter of the alphabet.
For example:
A = Apples, B = Brothers, C = Cookies.
It’s a simple but meaningful game that works for all ages.
6. Thanksgiving Movie or Story Time
After dinner, give everyone a chance to relax with a cozy Thanksgiving movie or story time.
Family Movie Ideas:
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Free Birds
An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving
Or, if your kids prefer books, try Thanksgiving stories like Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson or The Thankful Book by Todd Parr.
Pair the activity with blankets, popcorn, and hot chocolate for the ultimate cozy moment.
7. DIY Thanksgiving Parade
If your kids love to perform, host your own Thanksgiving parade at home! Kids can use their creativity to make floats from shoe boxes, balloons or any craft supplies you have around the house. The options are endless.
They can:
Make paper floats and banners
Dress up as turkeys or pilgrims
March to festive music
Blow up balloons
Make homemade instruments
Make paper hats
Put on a Thanksgiving skit
Mom Tip:
You can even record it and share with family who couldn’t make it for the holiday.
Final Thoughts:
Making Thanksgiving Fun and Stress-Free
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be chaotic — with a few simple kids’ activities for Thanksgiving, you can keep your little ones entertained and create lasting family memories.
Whether your kids are crafting, coloring, or hunting for hidden turkeys, they’ll stay busy and happy while you finish your holiday meal. And who knows — some of these fun traditions might just become a yearly favorite!
So grab some construction paper, turn on the Thanksgiving playlist, and get ready for a day filled with laughter, creativity, and gratitude.
Bonus Tip for Moms: Save this list to your Pinterest board so you’ll always have fun Thanksgiving activities for kids ready to go — even when the holiday chaos hits!
