I have to admit, I really love Thanksgiving and the whole to-do of cooking a big meal for family and friends. I enjoy spending the day carefully preparing all of the sides and dishes that will fill our table that afternoon. While I am at work in the kitchen though, I need to have some ideas planned to keep the kids busy all day until dinner is ready. Here are 4 ideas that will keep them in the “Thanksgiving Spirit” while avoiding making a complete disaster of the house before guests arrive.
Decorate the Table Cloth
I got this idea from a past SMB article. Buy an inexpensive white table cloth and some fabric markers, then let the kids decorate the cloth with turkeys, leaves, what they are grateful for…anything their heart desires. It keeps them busy as well as makes for some cute holiday décor.
Thanksgiving Placemats
I found this printable for Thanksgiving Placemats, they can draw their favorite foods, play some games, and write what they are thankful for. Have them make one for each guest coming!
Let Them Help
My three year old loves to help me in the kitchen. Plan some easy jobs ahead of time that the little ones can do to feel part of the meal prep. Stir ingredients, mash potatoes, roll out dough, and official “taste tester” are some of the jobs we use.
A-Z Grateful
This is for the older kids, challenge them to write out the alphabet and come up with something they are grateful for this year for each letter. They can make it into a book or draw pictures to go with it as well.
Do you have any fun ideas you would add to our list? Please share below!
