Thanksgiving Party for Kids
Prepare a feast...Add some games and activities...Do a project...Bam! You have a memorable Thanksgiving Party for Kids!
Thanksgiving Games & Activities
Candy Corn RelayFor each team playing:
- Set up two chairs or stools approximately ten feet apart.
- Place a bowl of candy corn with a plastic stool on one chair or stool.
- Place an empty plastic cup on the second chair or stool. (The size of the cup depends on the age of the children. The younger the children, the smaller the cup should be.)
On "Go", the racers start at the bowl of candy corn, fill the spoon as full as they can and carry it to the empty cup. If candy corn falls off the spoon, they are not allowed to pick it up. If they drop the spoon, they must pick up the spoon and start over at the bucket. The object of the game is to fill the plastic cup with candy corn. First player or team to do that wins!
Pilgrim Hat Snack HoldersSupplies Needed:
- 1/2 toilet paper roll
- Large black marker
- Elmer's glue
- 3-1/2" circle of black construction paper
- 1/2" x 5" strip of white construction paper
- black buckle cut from construction paper
Color the toilet paper roll with the large black marker. Put a thick circle of Elmer's glue on the circle of black construction paper and place the toilet paper roll upright in the glue. Let dry completely.Glue the strip of white construction paper on the hat where the brim meets the hat. Place the buckle cut-out on the white strip.
Fill the snack holder with candy corn, trail mix or other small snack.
Pin the Waddle on the TurkeyDraw the outline of a turkey on a large sheet of paper. Tape the Turkey to a wall or door at chest level to the children.
Make waddles out of red construction paper for each child. Place double stick tape on the back of each nose.
Have one child at a time stand approximately six feet from the Turkey. Cover the child's eyes with a bandana, soft towel or scarf. Turn the child three times and then face them in the direction of the Turkey. The child tries to place the waddle as close to the correct spot as they can. The child who comes closest wins the game.
Thanksgiving Face PaintingKids always enjoy having their face painted. It takes minimal artistic ability if you have a pattern to look at. I like to use Crayola Watercolor Pencils when I paint my daycare kids faces. They're easy to use and inexpensive to buy.
Thanksgiving Turkey HuntBuy a cute stuffed turkey and play hide and seek with it. Take turns with you hiding the turkey and the kids find it. Then the kids hide it and you find it.
Thanksgiving Coloring SheetsIf the kids need something to do while you're fixing lunch or setting up the next activity, give the kids a Thanksgiving Coloring Sheet to work on.
Thanksgiving #1 Thanksgiving #2
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Thanksgiving Food & Drinks
Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner for Kids- Jennie-O Turkey Loaf
- Instant Mashed Potatoes
- Gravy made from juice of the turkey
- Frozen or canned corn
- Dinner rolls
- Canned cranberry
- Pumpkin pie
Alternative Thanksgiving Recipes- Not-Quite-Turkey Sandwiches - Make any kind of sandwich and cut it with a turkey shaped cookie cutter.
- Thanksgiving Finger Jell-o
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The History of Thanksgiving
In 1620, the Pilgrims sailed on the Mayflower and landed on Plymouth Rock to find what they called "The New World".
In the beginning, it was hard for the Pilgrims in The New World. The winter was harsh and food was scarce. Many of the people who made the voyage on the Mayflower died.
The Native Americans taught the Pilgrims how to plant crops and hunt for food. In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims had a large harvest, giving those who remained a chance to survive.
The Pilgrims wanted to thank the Native Americans for what they had done so they invited them to a large feast. There were many Thanksgiving feasts after that when they had something to be thankful for, but it did not become an official holiday until 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln signed it into law.
Just for Laughs and Giggles
Q. Why did the pilgrim's pants always fall down?
A. Because they wore their belt buckle on their hat.
Q. Why did the turkey cross the road?
A. It was the chicken's day off.
Q. Why did they let the turkey join the band?
A. Because he had the drumsticks.
Q. What's the best way to stuff a turkey?
A. Serve him lots of pizza and ice cream.
Q. How do you keep a turkey in suspense?
A. I'll tell you at Christmas...
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