easy thanksgiving ideas with kids {and fun projects over the break!}
At our kiddos’ age, this season can be tricky with all things stress and college tours and exams on the horizon. If we’re being honest, we’ve had a string of what feels like bad luck across the board, and it’s affected how we feel about life lately. We think that with the craziness of the upcoming holidays and pressure with everything… combined with general fatigue, it can all be overwhelming if we let it.
It can be important to take a moment and stop and remember to be grateful. So today we thought we’d share a few of our favorite past activities when it comes to celebrating gratefulness and thankfulness with kids! It can include the entire family, for that matter. The season just seems appropriate. So without further ado, here are a few Easy Thanksgiving Ideas with Kids… {and some fun projects to take on over the break, since it’s officially crafting season!}
beautiful photo by light by iris
Some of these are oldies but goodies… brace yoself with how much they’ve grown!
1. Easy Thanksgiving Ideas with Kids: The Thankful Tree.
This is a version we had set up for the kids over the years, and they loved 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.
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 so very sweet to break it out again each year to be reminded.
How did they grow so fast? And if clay isn’t you thing…
2. Easy Thanksgiving Ideas with Kids: 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!
Want your own?
Simply click & download, 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.
3. Easy Thanksgiving Ideas with Kids: 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 {really, just decorate it however you want} • our free printables • writing materials for the kiddos.
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.
4. Easy Thanksgiving Ideas with Kids: Our Thankful Garland.
Once upon a time, 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.
When we were finito, they’re cut, holes punched 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.
These are the same concepts with different applications, but they make it fun for the whole family. {AKA all ages.} Just a nice little physical mix up of the same thing to get their little wheels turning.
And when the decor comes down 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! We’re doing that every night at dinner this week.
So here are a few more fall-based projects to take on with kiddos over fall break! While our kids are definitely older now, we’ll be doing another version or two, just for them. Even though we featured a few of these recently, we figured it was good to have them all in one place for future reference.
metallic fairytale pumpkins – no, it’s not too late for pumpkins!
and the rainbow version, here.
These easy DIY metallic acorns
easy diy no sew pumpkins
these place savers + more fun table ideas here
simple coffee cozies – a really fun gift idea!
easy stained glass candle holders – we made them this summer but the cozy factor kind of screams fall.
this easy, diy fall acorn wreath
A no-sew teepee – a fun colorful project to make with your kids
the perfect tailgating game accessory
these easy fall place cards
this dark chocolate sea salt caramel apple recipe – trust me on this one
try your hand at your own Pumpkin Spice Coffee recipe
easy diy garland ideas – because ’tis the season for garland
festive drink charms
Pssst: for another fun project with almost all the same materials, check out our wood slice keychain post here – such a fun gift idea for teachers!
These s’mores recipes, are not to be missed! Indoor + outdoor, too. {Free printables included.}
And why not have s’mores … at a camper party?
How do you guys celebrate thanksgiving with your kids and teens and littles and kiddos? These work for all age groups, depending on how you alter them. We’d love to hear! Have an inspired day!
