50 Fun Thanksgiving Activities and Ideas for Kids
Art lovers won’t be able to resist taking part in this activity by The Resourceful Mama.And can you blame them? It looks like a blast!
Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, so now’s the time to start planning out the big day. But we’re not just talking about food—you need to think about ways to keep people entertained, like Thanksgiving activities for kids!
But don’t let the search for family-friendly fun-filled Thanksgiving activities overwhelm you; there are tons of options for kids of all ages to choose from, including Thanksgiving crafts for kids, baking activities and outdoor games that'll eat up all their excess energy.
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So no matter if you want simple and fun activities that’ll help pass the time before it’s time to eat, dinner table games or post-feast things to do, we have them all. Check out the 50 Thanksgiving activities for kids we have rounded up from some of our favorite blogs, that kids of all ages will enjoy doing!
I Heart Crafty Things
If you’re looking for a sweet activity, this one from I Heart Crafty Things is worth a try! It involves using lots of candy to create an apple turkey. The best part is kids can eat it after they finish it.
Related: 50 Family Thanksgiving Games
Keeping It Simple Crafts
Turn your leftover Halloween candy into Thanksgiving candy with these printable wrappers. Head over to Keeping It Simple Crafts to get some that your kids can cover their favorite sweets in.
The Celebration Shoppe
Kids love designing gingerbread houses, so why not let them design a candy and pretzel themed log cabin for Thanksgiving, too? Check out The Celebration Shoppe for more details.
Artsy Fartsy Mama
Kids of all ages can play this game! You can even set aside a few prizes for the winners. If you want to use the cards again, make sure you laminate them so they stay looking like new. Get the tutorial at Artsy Fartsy Mama.
Joy in the Works
This free printable from Joy in the Works is something little kids can do on Thanksgiving Day. They just have to roll the dice to see what feather they have to color in until they roll every number to complete their picture.
Raising Memories
Have kids pick a Thanksgiving word or phrase. Then give them paint and blocks so they can write the letters to spell it out. This activity from Raising Memories will be a great way to have them channel their creativity!
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To Simply Inspire
This leaf bowl by To Simply Inspire may appear difficult to make, but it’s totally something kids can do! Plus, it’ll look so chic as part of your Thanksgiving décor.
Clean & Scentsible
You might have trouble keeping your kids from eating these cute turkeys after they make them! But they’ll look so cute scattered around the Thanksgiving table. See the easy tutorial at Clean & Scentsible.
Smart Schoolhouse
Youngsters will enjoy this game from Smart Schoolhouse where they have to sort all the colored candy to its matching leaf. They’ll also like that they can eat the game pieces!
Bakerella
Kids will need to head to the kitchen to create these turkey cake pops! You can find the full recipe at Bakerella. Everyone will want to gobble them up!
Related: Thanksgiving Instagram Captions
Art Bar Blog
Don’t buy a tablecloth for Thanksgiving this year—have your kids design one instead! Art Bar Blog tells you what you’ll need for this fun craft.
Schooling a Monkey
Don’t throw away your egg cartons because you’ll need them to make these egg-cellent turkeys! Get the adorable tutorial at Schooling a Monkey.
Glued To My Crafts
The little ballerina in your life will want to play (and dance) all Thanksgiving Day with this adorable puppet from Glued To My Crafts after she makes it. It’s the cutest thing!
Live Laugh Rowe
Turn this activity into a competition and see who can complete it the fastest. Visit Live Laugh Rowe to get the holiday printable.
The Best Ideas For Kids
Bucket lists aren’t just for the summer, you can have a Thanksgiving or fall one, too. You can include things like bake a pie, or collect acorns on it. See more ideas over at The Best Ideas For Kids.
Handmade Charlotte
Making pie might be boring for some kids, but not if you give them the task of creating a floral crust for it! Follow the tutorial for daisy chain piecrust at Handmade Charlotte for an activity kids will love!
Country Hill Cottage
This activity is perfect for teen girls! Have them follow the recipe from Country Hill Cottage to create the ultimate pumpkin spice bath bomb!
The Craft Train
If the kids coming over for Thanksgiving are little, help them make cinnamon cookie play dough! It’ll not only smell great, but it’ll keep them entertained while you’re cooking. See how by visiting The Craft Train.
Happiness is Homemade
Find out what everyone is thankful for this holiday with this adorable activity by Happiness is Homemade. It’ll be a sweet reminder of why this day is so special.
Living Well Mom
Living Well Mom proves that this game is a must during the holidays! Check out how she turned pin the tail on the donkey into the perfect Thanksgiving activity.
Simple Designing
Don’t worry, this activity isn’t messy, but it is fun! Kids can use paint chips and candy to make their very own turkey treat bags thanks to Simple Designing.
Domestic Gothess
Kids of any age can help cut out leaf shapes from colored sugar cookie dough to make these delicious, tiny wreaths. Follow Domestic Gothess for all the yummy details.
Let’s Get Together
Who doesn’t love a game of tag? This Thanksgiving, Let’s Get Togethersuggests having siblings paint these turkey tag clothespins, then attach them to the back of their shirts once they’re dry and whoever is the last one to get theirs pulled off, wins!
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Busy Toddler
While there are no real turkeys involved, kids will still have loads of fun with this activity. Toddlers will especially enjoy this idea by Busy Toddler.
Play Party Plan
This activity from Play Party Plan will keep kids (and adults) laughing all Thanksgiving long. It’s perfect to play after you finish eating.
Bloom Designs Online
Create fun printables, like Bloom Designs Online, to make a turkey-themed scavenger hunt for kids to do in your yard. Happy hunting!
My Sister’s Suitcase
When kids fill out these silly mad libs by My Sister’s Suitcase, they won’t be able to stop giggling. Just print them out and you’ll start hearing laughter in no time.
Landeelu
This Thanksgiving, see who can guess all the right answers to this festive word scramble. Get a free download from Landeelu.
B-Inspired Mama
B-Inspired Mama wants you to get your pumpkin chuckin’ on … but there’s a catch. Instead of using real pumpkins, she suggests making them by wrapping rolls of toilet paper in orange felt.
Growing A Jeweled Rose
Kids can have turkey races after they put together these balloon rockets! Find out how easy they are to make thanks to Growing A Jeweled Rose.
Hands On As We Grow
This can be played inside or outside! Find out to make your own Thanksgiving-inspired ring toss game by visiting Hands On As We Grow.
Pint Sized Treasures
Want to make Twister even more fun? Add in some pumpkins, like Pint Sized Treasures, for a cool spin on the game.
Lolly Jane
You’ll find out who’s the most competitive person in your family playing this fall game! Get the DIY tutorial and game instructions from Lolly Jane.
Buggy and Buddy
This Buggy and Buddy activity can become a tradition! Kids can create a fall-themed jar and then they can place a note saying what they are thankful for inside it. They can go around and collect notes from everyone who came to your house as well.
Amy Latta Creations
Giving to others is part of the fun of Thanksgiving! Help kids learn the act of giving by having them make these sweet favors for all of your guests. Visit Amy Latta Creations to learn how.
Polkadot Chair
Christmas shouldn’t be the only holiday you count down the days until it arrives, so have your kids create a countdown to Thanksgiving calendar, just like this one by Polkadot Chair. It’s cute, simple and can include as many days as you’d like.
Fun Learning For Kids
Little ones can practice counting by feeding a paper bag turkey acorns that they find outside! See how to make this holiday game at Fun Learning For Kids.
Related: Thanksgiving Trivia
Project Kid
Use your leftover pumpkins (big or small) to play a game of tic-tac-toe, like the one Project Kid did. We bet that adults will even want to participate!
Kid Friendly Things To Do
Sure, your kids may be excited to eat a turkey leg this Thanksgiving, but now they can be one when they play this game from Kid Friendly Things To Do.
The Seasoned Mom
You won’t strike out with your family if you use turkey-themed cups as bowling pins and mini pumpkins as bowling balls for this game! See The Seasoned Mom for all the steps for this activity.
Delia Creates
After you’ve finished the pumpkin pie, Delia Creates suggests you head outside and let the kids burn off some of their energy with this pumpkin balloon stomping game!
The Resourceful Mama
Art lovers won’t be able to resist taking part in this activity by The Resourceful Mama. And can you blame them? It looks like a blast!
The Inspired Treehouse
The Inspired Treehouse came up with the perfect Thanksgiving game for kids to play at your house. It’ll get them up and moving!
Somewhat Simple
Keep kids busy by having them make this craft by Somewhat Simple and then have them play the artsy guessing game it goes along with!
Unoriginal Mom
Before you set the table, take out some dice and play this game to see who can fill out their turkey card first. Find the printout at Unoriginal Mom.
Craftaholics Anonymous
If you have a large family, you’ll be glad you have this trivia game by Craftaholics Anonymous on hand! It’ll provide endless fun for everyone.
Mom of 6
Kids can play this game of questions at the dinner table with each other while they’re eating! Check out Mom of 6 for ideas on what questions you can include.
Crazy Little Projects
Visit Crazy Little Projects to get a free Thanksgiving-themed printable! It’s a simple activity, but will kids will love coloring it in while you’re cooking.
Thirty Handmade Days
Everyone at the kids’ table will love these printables by Thirty Handmade Days. They are part placemat, part gratitude activity and part coloring sheet.
Typically Simple
The food is definitely the centerpiece of Thanksgiving, so give your kids an activity that will help highlight all the amazing things you made by checking out this menu craft by Typically Simple. Bon Appétit!
Next up: Best Thanksgiving Jokes
