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Thanksgiving at the Kiddie Table, a Top Ten List

November 10, 2020

When I recall Thanksgivings from my childhood, I can’t help but think of sitting down for a delicious meal …at a wobbly card table and cold metal folding chairs.  Let’s just say, my cousins and I were not treated to the best seats in the house.  It seemed we were more of an afterthought.  While we always managed to have a very good time - telling jokes and remembering stories of holidays past, it seems to me that a more kid-friendly approach is worth a try.   This year incorporate a few of these entertainment options for the kiddie table into your celebration.

  1. Use butcher paper as a table cloth, which creates an instant canvas for …artwork, word games, tic-tac-toe, and more.  This Colorful Turkey Caddy doubles as a centerpiece and marker storage. 
  2. You may also want to outline rectangle-shaped placemats right on the paper to give kids a designated place to draw.  Or print out this Activity Placemat for Thanksgiving.
  3. Make the place settings kid-friendly with these Button Indian Corn Napkin Rings.  This is a great craft to do before the big day.
  4. Add a bit of history by making homemade paper pilgrim bonnets and pilgrim hats. Find the how-to tutorials for the pilgrim bonnets at Skip to My Lou and for the pilgrim hats at Family Fun.
  5. Have the kids write down what they're thankful for this year on stamped tags, then tie to the branches of fall foliage.  Or try this Thanksgiving Tree Craft.
  6. Get nostalgic and get a few giggles … set out a box of old family photos – the older the better – and have the kids try to identify aunts, uncles and grandparents!
  7. Scatter pretty fall leaves across the table for decoration, then let the kids make leaf colorings by putting paper on top and rubbing a crayon over it.
  8. Make a simple snack mix of candy corn, sunflower seeds, pretzels, bugles, and dried fruit. Kids can sort the mix on their plates, make patterns, and, of course, snack!
  9. Color pasta and have kids make Noodle Necklaces.  Directions found here.
  10. Play Thanksgiving Day Bingo!