So every year, we mix it up a bit, but every year we love doing something different with our kids in the realm of thankfulness for Thanksgiving. We’re Thanksgiving purists {I know. Boo hiss. Get off the stage} And while we totally get the other side of it all too, it takes a lot of restraint on our part not to freak out with the Christmas music. {We may break it out a little early this year, anyway} We do the whole celebrate-one-thing-at-a-time-thing… and we like the fact that Thanksgiving gets just as much attention around here as the other stuff.
It’s a nice reminder of how much we have to be thankful for. A time to gather and be still and reflect. We try to get creative in the process with our kids, so that it sticks with them a little more. As you can imagine, I’m a bit of a visual learner {shocker, I know} so we love the idea of getting them involved in simple crafts around the house. It’s basically the same thing taking on different forms, and while we do other things, these are some of our fave little reminders to use all the way up until the actual holiday, and beyond.
Here’s a few of our very favorites from over the years: our favorite Thanksgiving activities for kids
This is a version we have set up in our homeschool room for the kids, and they love coming to the little station and thinking of something fresh. Here’s what you’ll need:
• sculpey clay • twine • vase + spray painted branches • watered based sharpie pens {or whatever you’re comfortable using with your family} • a rolling pen or something to flatten the dough • leaf shaped cookie cutters • A pencil or paintbrush for poking holes in the top of the dough • cookie sheet + foil + oven
Preheat your oven per the Sculpey instructions + Simply roll out your dough and using the shape of your choice, cut out your leaf. Place a little hole in the top with the end of a small paint brush or pencil- this will leave a hole for hanging with twine.
When you’re finished, place it on the cookie sheet, and let it bake. Once cool, let the kids write whatever they want on top.
We then strung it through with twine, and it was finished. Some kids may be more comfortable using pictures… At the time, Malone was thankful for our dog, and left pictures around on little leaves for us to hang.
We left this little station up in the homeschool room for the kids to use as often as they wish. They love the sweet little idea, and it’s a nice reminder of all the things we have to be thankful for… in the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
Our branches for this one are gathered from our backyard, and we got all crazy and painted them gold. But all you need is a few branches and a vase of some sort to create your very own.
It’s such a fun little activity!
And if clay isn’t you thing…
The Printable Thankful Tree
These little leaves feature some of our patterns for various themes and a fun, colorful tree. Just print, and write what you’re thankful for on the back before hanging. It’s free!
Simply click & download {make sure you have the latest version of adobe reader} print, and cut. TADA! Insta decor / original illustrations. {Look for Thanksgiving art + Leaves 1 + 2 on the downloads page.}
A fun way to decorate for the Thanksgiving season!
Art Print + leaves print on an 8 x 10, but feel free to adjust.
The Thankful Box
This can be something you do all year long. We bring it back from time to time, and it’s a simple little activity to get them to reflect.
What you’ll need: One of these generic little file boxes • a couple of gold markers • our free printables • writing materials for the kiddos.
Decorate it any way you like, but I simply took a plain jane box and spiffed it up one night while I was watching a movie with some polkadots.
Polkadots are so therapeutic, after all.
And when I was done, printed out these little cards for the kiddos to fill out. Simply go to our freebies page and look for ‘thankful’. Click, download + print. Tada! Your own little set.
It’s just a fun little station for them to have as the holidays near.
And last but not least, our Thankful Garland.
Last year, we draped our homeschool room with it, and this year, we’re making a new one. But on the backs this year, day by day, we add something else to be thankful for on the back of these little watercolor leaves.
• Large pieces of watercolor paper {from the craft store, I always snatch them up with a coupon} OR a watercolor pad
• Basic watercolors of any kind + brushes
• Pencils + scissors + twine or yarn
I simply drew out two basic shapes of leaves, over and over again on watercolor paper, lightly.
Then I let them loose. I basically broke out the watercolors, some cups of water, and some paper towels, and let them get crazy with their leaves.
Before I knew it, we even had polkadot Mine Craft ones.
It was such a great little therapeutic activity, and super low maintenance. Watercolors aren’t a catastrophe if they’re spilled, and they’re fun to work with.
You can either have a cutting party after that, or do them yourself. That night while Jamin and I watched a movie I broke out the dry sheets, and cut out the leaves. It took no time at all.
When we were finito, I punched holes in the top, and they were ready to go.
We just let the kids update the leaves before we string them on, with what they’re thankful for. So it grows with the season.
And when the decor comes down {or once a week if you decide to keep it out} sit down as a family, and talk about all the things you’re thankful for. It’s a fun little exercise, no matter what the materials look like!
Just a nice little physical mix up of the same thing to get their little wheels turning.
And if you feel like really getting into the spirit of Thanksgiving with a creative flair…
Check out our teepees here. {No sew, suckas!}
How do you guys celebrate thanksgiving with your littles? We’d love to hear! Have an inspired day!
Michele Riggsbee says
What cute ideas! Thank you for sharing! Have a blessed Thanksgiving!