Thanksgiving dinner is a lot of work. Between the turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls, pies and everything else, there’s usually a lot happening in the kitchen. And if you have little kids, you know that somehow everyone needs something the minute you start cooking.
As a mom of five (soon to be six!), I’ve learned that keeping kids occupied doesn’t have to mean putting them in front of a screen all day. A little planning, a few simple activities and some age-appropriate jobs can go a long way.
Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or heading to Grandma’s house, here are 10 ways to keep the kids entertained while the grown-ups get dinner ready.
1. Send Them on a Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt
Give the kids a list of Thanksgiving-themed things to find around the house or outside. You don’t need a fancy printable, just a piece of paper and a few ideas!
Have them look for:
- Something orange, red or yellow
- A leaf that’s bigger than their hand
- A pinecone or acorn
- Something shaped like a turkey
- Something that smells like Thanksgiving
- Three things they’re thankful for
- Something that starts with the letter T
- Something that makes them think of fall
You can make it a competition for older kids or pair younger children with a sibling. If the weather is nice, send them outside to burn off a little energy before dinner.
2. Let Them Make the Place Cards
Put out some cardstock, crayons, markers and stickers, and let the kids create personalized place cards for everyone coming to dinner.
Older kids can practice writing names while younger ones decorate. Don’t worry if they’re a little crooked or covered in stickers. That’s part of the charm.
3. Set Up a Thanksgiving Coloring Station
Sometimes the simplest activities are the best. Print a few Thanksgiving coloring pages, set out crayons and let the kids go to work.
If you have a big group of cousins coming over, cover a table with butcher paper and let everyone color together. They can even draw their favorite Thanksgiving foods or write what they’re thankful for.
Or, if you want to make it even easier, you can buy a Thanksgiving and Fall Fun Coloring Tablecloth that’s already covered in designs for the kids to color. Just add washable markers! The tablecloth is washable and reusable, so you can bring it out year after year. (And nope, I don’t get anything if you click that link! I just think it’s a fun idea.)
4. Give Them a Job in the Kitchen
Not every Thanksgiving activity needs to happen outside the kitchen. Kids love feeling useful, and there are plenty of things they can help with.
Little ones can wash potatoes, tear lettuce, mix ingredients, arrange rolls in a basket or help set the table. Or, if nothing else, they can be the official taste testers! Older kids can measure ingredients, peel vegetables (with supervision), mash potatoes or help prepare a simple side dish.
We have a COSCO 2-Step Kitchen Stepper for the kids to use (or, more accurately, fight over). I especially like that it folds up and stores away easily, which is a big deal in our small house. And as a bonus, it holds up to 225 pounds, so I can use it to reach the tippy top of the spice cabinet, too!
It might take a little longer to cook with kids helping, but it’s also a chance to teach them some cooking skills.
5. Create a Gratitude Jar
Set out a jar, slips of paper and pencils. Throughout the morning, have everyone write or draw something they’re thankful for and drop it inside.
At dinner, take turns reading them aloud. Younger kids can dictate their answers to an older sibling or grown-up.
You might be surprised by what they come up with! And if you’d like to make gratitude more than just a Thanksgiving activity, we have some great ideas for teaching kids gratitude beyond the holiday and three ways to practice genuine gratitude.
6. Make a Thanksgiving Craft
You don’t need an elaborate craft project or a trip to the store. Construction paper, glue sticks, crayons and a few supplies you already have can keep kids busy.
Try handprint turkeys, paper chains in fall colors or thankful trees made with paper leaves.
Need a little inspiration? These Thankful Paper Turkeys from Practically Functional come with free templates and can even double as Thanksgiving place cards. Or try this Thankful Turkey Craft from The Goddard School, where kids add something they’re grateful for to each feather.
Keep it simple enough that kids can do most of the work themselves. The goal is to keep them occupied, not give yourself another project to supervise.
7. Put on the Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a Thanksgiving morning tradition for plenty of families. Between the giant balloons, marching bands and performances, there’s usually something that catches everyone’s attention.
Make it a little more interactive by having kids pick their favorite balloon or predict which characters they’ll see.
And if you’re trying to limit screen time, there’s nothing wrong with making this the one special show of the morning.
8. Set Up a Building Challenge
Pull out the LEGO bricks and give the kids a Thanksgiving-themed building challenge. Can they build a turkey? A pumpkin? A table big enough for the whole family? A Thanksgiving parade float?
If your kids prefer following instructions, check out this LEGO turkey tutorial from LEGOLAND Discovery Center or these two Thanksgiving turkey designs from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls.
For older kids, make it a timed competition. Younger kids can build whatever they want. And if their creations turn out well, let them double as Thanksgiving table decorations!
9. Create a Cozy Reading Corner
Gather some pillows, blankets and a stack of Thanksgiving or fall-themed books. If you have older kids, ask them to read to the younger ones. You can even let the kids build a blanket fort for their reading space.
Need some book ideas? Check out our Thanksgiving Books for Kids article for some fun holiday reads, from silly turkey stories to books about gratitude and giving thanks.
10. Put Them in Charge of Thanksgiving Dinner
Well, sort of.
Give older kids a few responsibilities that help get everything ready. They can fold napkins, arrange silverware, fill water glasses, make a centerpiece or create a menu for the table. Younger kids can help count how many chairs and plates are needed.
Giving them a real job helps them feel included and takes a few things off your plate, too.
A Little Planning Goes a Long Way
You don’t need to entertain your kids every minute of Thanksgiving Day. In fact, a little boredom might be just what they need to come up with their own fun.
But having a handful of easy activities ready can make the day go a lot more smoothly, especially when you’re trying to get a big meal on the table.
And remember, Thanksgiving isn’t about getting everything perfect. It’s about enjoying the people around your table. If you need a little reminder of that, take a few minutes to read Savoring the Celebration.
And if all else fails? There’s always the promise of pie.
