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By Kim Vij

Thanksgiving Activities for Kids

Thanksgiving Activity Ideas for Kids

Creative Thanksgiving Activities for kids of all ages, perfect for sibling fun at home this Thanksgiving break!

Thanksgiving Activity Ideas for Kids
  • Turkey Finger Puppets
  • Thankful Turkey
  • Recycling Turkey feather papers into Fall Tree
  • Pilgrim Writing
  • Painted Handprint Turkeys
  • Coffee Filter Turkeys
  • Turkey T-shirt

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! This week, we tried our very best to take some time to “Give Thanks” as we went about our week. The girls are having lots of fun reading books and creating projects about Thanksgiving. Most importantly we are learning about the “Spirit of Thanksgiving.”

Now that they are in Kindergarten in a Public School there aren’t as many opportunities to work on handmade art and craft projects which is so important for them to experience. So we tried our best to incorporate some projects at home.

Giving Thanks Activities for Thanksgiving

Here’s a few of our projects that we created this week in both of our homes.

Turkey Finger Puppets

We loved these, but didn’t have the supplies in the house and opted for the traditional felt (plus extra fabric choices that I didn’t have the colors in felt)  Although we talked about the difference between male and female turkeys, there was NO way you could convince my 5 year old that this turkey did not need a bow =)

Thankful Turkey

We’ve been working about expressing the things that we are thankful for each night at the dinner table and she’s been writing the thoughts of gratitude down on strips of paper. Then we took all of the papers and glued them onto a circle for the body and a circle for the head. Then she cut some legs and beak and waddle. It’s so cute to see what they are thankful for.

Recycling Turkey feather papers into Fall Tree

Using the leftover paper from our feather we practiced our cutting skills and created this fall tree. I think over the next few days my daughter will also be adding people and a turkey and an owl in the tree. Love projects that you can continue to build upon.

Pilgrim Writing

We were inspired by the Pilgrim at First Grade Blue Skies for our writing this week.  She cut out the pieces and glued them together.  Then wrote about what she is thankful for.  I think we will continue this idea for each Month to keep our writing on the fridge at all times. 

We used this as the lesson in our Cooking Class The Littlest Pilgrim and Turkey Casserole.

Painted Handprint Turkeys

So many cute ones out there like this one and this one!  My kidsmade hand print trees and figured that our hands were already painted on and made the turkeys too!!! We visited this interactive website and learned more about the Wampanoag and if turkeys were present at the first Thanksgiving. 

What would have been really cool is if the real ones showed up at my house like they did for this mama!

Works great for crafts for siblings to do together!

Coffee Filter Turkeys

We LOVED this project!  I showed her this post and read the directions. We didn’t have the regular filters and just used the cone shaped ones.  She created the heads and decorations all on her own, then made up a game similar to “I Spy,” to play using their different features.

Turkey T-shirt

We are Thankful for great deals and re-purposing clothes that are no longer being used!  A 25 cent thrift store bright orange t-shirt was transformed into this hilarious turkey shirt.  My daughter choose the fabrics, cut the pieces and placed them where she wanted them. I embroidered them with the machine! The eyes were made with my thumbprint in black fabric paint.

We have pinned many projects on our Fall Pinterest Board for you to find something special to make with your little ones this week as you prepare for Thanksgiving. We’d love to see what you are doing with your grade school children this week!

Looking for more Activities for Fall? Try these ideas

Gratitude Books for Kids
Fall Virtual Field Trips for Kids
12 Thanksgiving Activities and Books for Kids

Like this idea? Pin for later or share now with a friend!

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Filed Under: Kids Activities Tagged With: Afterschool Express, Fall, grade school, Kim, Preschool, Thanksgiving

About Kim Vij

Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing developmentally appropriate activities.

« Lego Turkey Busy Bag of the Month
Thankful Project Ideas for Giving Thanks with Kids this Thanksgiving »

Comments

  1. Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas says

    November 17, 2012 at 11:13 am

    so many fun ideas – Sharing this on this week's Sunday Showcase. Thanks for sharing with us.

  2. Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas says

    November 17, 2012 at 11:13 am

    cute ideas shared here! featuring you ob this week's Sunday Showcase

  3. The Iowa Farmer's Wife says

    November 17, 2012 at 11:13 am

    what fun stuff! thanks for sharing on The Sunday Showcase! Featuring tomorrow! 🙂

  4. Holli says

    November 6, 2012 at 9:38 am

    Featured you today! Thanks for sharing!

  5. Holli says

    November 1, 2012 at 10:34 pm

    Just found this post via Pinterest. Love the turkey with the 'thankful' feathers! What a great idea. Happy to be a new follower, and I'd love for you to share this post at my Season's Best {Thanksgiving} Link-up. Thanks so much!

    http://www.fullhands-fullhearts.com/2012/11/seasons-best-thanksgiving-link-up.html

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

  6. Deb Chitwood says

    October 31, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    Your variety of turkey projects is great, Kim! Thankful turkeys are perfect for gratitude activities in November! I featured your thankful turkey photo and post in my November Family Gratitude Activities at http://raisingfigureskaters.com/2012/10/31/november-family-gratitude-activities/

  7. Lori says

    November 27, 2011 at 9:18 am

    These are so cute! The shirt came out great!

    Thanks for sharing,
    Lori

  8. maryanne @ mama smiles says

    November 24, 2011 at 9:21 pm

    I LOVE the turkey t-shirt, and the little finger puppet!

    Happy Thanksgiving!!!

  9. Raising a Happy Child says

    November 23, 2011 at 11:07 pm

    Wonderful projects! Love the thankful turkey. We did it last year. Perhaps I might still fit it in tomorrow, but daughter has also brought a lot of crafts from her afterschool care that was open for Thanksgiving break.

  10. Melissa @ The Chocolate Muffin Tree says

    November 23, 2011 at 1:41 pm

    These are great and thanks for sharing with me! I love all the ideas!

  11. laughinbrunette (Jennifer) says

    November 23, 2011 at 9:24 am

    Awesome ideas! Thank you for the shout out!!!
    Jennifer
    First Grade Blue SKies

  12. Lorie says

    November 23, 2011 at 9:12 am

    I love how your turkeys turned out! So cute!!!! I totally agree about the bow. 🙂

  13. critters and crayons says

    November 23, 2011 at 1:10 am

    I really like the confetti tree! We might have to try this tomorrow for our craft time! Cute roll-up of activities!

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Kim Vij

Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim Vij shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing all kinds of easy kid crafts, activities, recipes and even travel ideas for families!
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