Thanksgiving is a special time for families to gather around a great feast, and it’s also the perfect time to teach kids the meaning behind the holiday. If you’re looking for activities to creatively keep your kids occupied as you put the finishing touches to the meal or decorate before the family arrives, I have some free Thanksgiving activities for you.
Enjoy using these educational worksheets, games, activity ideas, and more year after year and for everyone in the family!
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Free Thanksgiving Activity Packs
Thanksgiving activity packs are perfect for giving your kids a variety of things to do without making them feel like they’re doing “work.” In this free pack I have for you, you’ll find activity pages for:
- Coloring
- I Spy
- Build Your Own Turkey
- Writing Prompt
- What Comes Next? Pattern
- Art (drawing a Thanksgiving meal)
Just click here or on the image below to download the printable PDF!
Here are a few more packs I found that you may enjoy:
- 30+ Free Thanksgiving Printables for Kids (by Modern Sports Mom)
- Free Thanksgiving Printables (from Totschooling)
- Free Thanksgiving Activity Pack (from A Little Pinch of Perfect)
Fun Thanksgiving Games
Who doesn’t love a good game? Your kids – and the entire family – are sure to get a kick out of these:
- Thanksgiving Bingo (by Miss Information)
- Don’t Eat Pete Thanksgiving Version (by Life Should Cost Less)
- Thanksgiving Mad Libs (by Jac of All Things)
- Thanksgiving Word Search (by PJs and Paint)
- Thanksgiving Scattergories (by Meredith Plays)
Thanksgiving Themed Writing Prompts
Writing prompts are a great way to let your kid’s creative writing juices flow while giving them a space to communicate how grateful they are. I have a free one for you to download that has a space for a picture to show what they are grateful for small spaces to document who, what, and why they’re thankful.
Just click here or on the image below to download the printable PDF!
Here are a few more to consider printing and keeping on hand:
- Thanksgiving Writing Prompts (by Woo Jr)
- Holiday Writing Prompt Bundle (Meagan Gets Real)
- Half Page Writing Prompts (by Amy Montana)
Yummy Thanksgiving Recipes to Try
A unique activity idea is to let kids join you in the kitchen. Let them have a go at helping create a specific dish, or let them create something on their own (age permitting). Below are a few recipe ideas that will have them super proud at having a hand in this year’s dinner!
Fun Outdoor Activities
Add a touch of fun this Thanksgiving by incorporating a few outdoor fun activities. Check to see if your town is hosting a local Turkey Trot and sign your family up to run (or walk) in it. You can also have fun at home with raking leaves and jumping in the piles, or visiting a local pumpkin patch. Consider building a bonfire and reading a few Thanksgiving related stories as a family. Share some of the classics with your kids (check your local library for free copies):
- Over the River: A Turkey’s Tale
- The Pilgrim’s First Thanksgiving
- Gobble Gobble
- Ankle Soup
- Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving
- Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving
These Thanksgiving activities for kids are actually sure to be fun for the entire family!
