Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together, enjoy delicious meals, and create memories. While adults are busy in the kitchen or engaging in holiday traditions, it’s essential to ensure that kids also have a memorable and engaging time. One way to do this is by providing them with entertaining, educational, and festive activities. Free printables are an excellent resource, offering a variety of creative options to keep little ones occupied and involved in the Thanksgiving spirit. At The Kids Point, we understand the importance of making holidays special for every family member, including the youngest ones.
This guide highlights several exciting and easy-to-use Thanksgiving activities featuring free printables, from games to coloring pages and crafts. These activities are suitable for various age groups and can be seamlessly incorporated into your Thanksgiving celebration.
Thanksgiving Coloring Pages
Coloring pages are a classic activity that kids love. Thanksgiving-themed designs such as turkeys, pumpkins, cornucopias, and fall leaves provide a fun way to engage children while enhancing their fine motor skills and creativity.
Ideas for Use:
- Table Setting Entertainment: Print a few Thanksgiving-themed coloring pages and place them at the kids’ table with crayons or markers. This keeps children occupied as the meal preparations continue.
- Display Their Art: Create a Thanksgiving gallery by hanging the completed artwork on the walls or fridge for everyone to admire.
Where to Find Free Printables:
- Websites like Crayola and Free Printable Coloring Pages offer a variety of high-quality options.
Thanksgiving Bingo
Thanksgiving Bingo combines fun with holiday-themed learning. These printable bingo cards include festive images like turkeys, pies, pilgrims, and autumn leaves. It’s a fantastic game to play with both kids and adults.
Tips for a Successful Game:
- Use small treats like candy corn or buttons as markers.
- Add a twist by calling out clues or facts related to Thanksgiving before identifying the items on the bingo cards.
Resources for Free Printables:
- Downloadable templates are available on family activity websites, making it easy to print and play.
Turkey Crafts with Printable Templates
Encourage kids to get creative by making their own turkeys using printable templates. These crafts help build artistic skills and offer opportunities to teach about the history and significance of Thanksgiving.
Popular Ideas:
- Paper Plate Turkeys: Use the printable template as a guide, and let kids decorate their turkeys with feathers, googly eyes, and colorful paper.
- Gratitude Turkeys: Create turkeys with feathers where each feather represents something the child is thankful for. This activity doubles as a meaningful family bonding moment.
Printable Craft Sources:
- Websites like First Palette and Artsy Craftsy Mom provide fantastic turkey craft templates for free.
Thanksgiving Word Search and Crossword Puzzles
Word searches and crossword puzzles are entertaining and educational activities that help kids improve vocabulary and problem-solving skills while keeping them entertained.
How to Use Them:
- Offer word searches with Thanksgiving-related terms like “harvest,” “stuffing,” and “cranberry.”
- Provide crossword puzzles as a solo or group challenge during downtime.
Free Printable Suggestions:
- Sites like Education.com and Teachers Pay Teachers offer holiday-themed word puzzles for various skill levels.
Gratitude Journals and Prompts
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to teach kids about gratitude. Printable journals or writing prompts help kids express what they’re thankful for in a fun and reflective way.
Activities:
- Gratitude Tree: Use a printable tree outline and have kids write things they are thankful for on leaf cutouts. Attach the leaves to the tree and display it.
- Daily Gratitude Prompts: Provide simple prompts like “I’m thankful for my family because…” to spark reflection.
Where to Download:
- Sites like Thirty Handmade Days and Skip to My Lou offer free templates for gratitude activities.
Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt
Turn the Thanksgiving setting into an adventure with a scavenger hunt! Printable clue cards and checklists make it easy to organize this exciting activity indoors or outdoors.
Planning Your Scavenger Hunt:
- Themes: Focus on Thanksgiving items like pumpkins, acorns, and holiday decorations.
- Interactive Fun: Add mini prizes for each clue found, like stickers or small toys.
Free Printables:
- Check out sites like My Printable Home or Organized 31 for customizable scavenger hunt templates.
Thanksgiving Mad Libs
Mad Libs are a hilarious way to keep kids entertained while encouraging creativity and learning about parts of speech. Thanksgiving-themed versions feature scenarios involving turkeys, holiday feasts, and more.
How to Play:
- Print out a Mad Libs sheet, and have the kids fill in the blanks without knowing the full story. Then read the completed stories aloud for a good laugh.
Free Templates:
- Many options are available on blogs like Woo! Jr. and other family-friendly sites.
Build a Thanksgiving Puzzle
Puzzles provide excellent entertainment and mental stimulation for kids. Thanksgiving-themed puzzles can be printed and customized to match the child’s skill level.
Customizing Your Puzzle:
- Use free online tools to turn Thanksgiving images into printable puzzles.
- Create a group activity where multiple kids can work on a large puzzle together.
Free Printable Sources:
- Websites like Activity Village and Twisty Noodle offer puzzle templates for various ages.
Turkey Bowling
For a more active game, try Turkey Bowling. Printable bowling pin wraps with turkey designs allow you to turn standard items into a festive bowling game.
How to Set It Up:
- Wrap empty plastic bottles or toilet paper rolls with the turkey printables.
- Use a small ball as the “bowling ball” to knock down the turkeys.
Free Templates:
- Blogs like Happiness Is Homemade or Crafty Morning provide instructions and printables.
Thanksgiving Memory Game
Printable memory cards featuring Thanksgiving symbols and food items help enhance kids’ concentration and memory skills while having fun.
How to Play:
- Print and cut out pairs of cards featuring matching images.
- Lay them face down and take turns flipping two cards at a time, trying to find matches.
Free Printable Suggestions:
- Check out blogs like Childhood 101 or The Spruce Crafts for memory game templates.
Thanksgiving is not only about savoring delicious meals but also about cherishing moments of togetherness and joy with loved ones. With the wide range of free printables available, parents can keep their kids engaged in festive, educational, and fun activities that complement the holiday spirit. From puzzles and crafts to games and gratitude exercises, these printables make it easy to plan a kid-friendly Thanksgiving celebration that everyone will remember.
At The Kids Point, we believe in creating experiences that bring families closer together. These activities are perfect for fostering creativity, learning, and holiday cheer. So, gather your supplies, print your favorites, and make Thanksgiving 2024 unforgettable for your little ones!