Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for children to explore themes of gratitude, togetherness, and tradition. For childcare providers, it’s the perfect opportunity to introduce kids to festive, hands-on Thanksgiving activities that encourage them to reflect on what they’re thankful for and celebrate with friends. Engaging children in these childcare Thanksgiving activities not only fosters creativity but also helps them understand the importance of the holiday in a fun, age-appropriate way.
From crafting colorful turkeys to enjoying nature walks and gratitude trees, these daycare Thanksgiving activities create a warm, memorable environment that promotes learning and connection. Here are some creative Thanksgiving activities to keep your childcare center full of holiday cheer and meaningful experiences this season!
Check out these fun Thanksgiving activities for childcare and daycare that help kids learn about gratitude and togetherness. This blog provides easy ideas, from crafts to games, perfect for celebrating Thanksgiving with children in your care.
Thanksgiving Childcare Activities
1. Thankful Turkey Craft
Kick off the Thanksgiving celebration with a delightful craft that allows children to express their gratitude. This activity encourages creativity while helping kids identify and articulate what they appreciate in their lives. Each child can personalize their turkey with unique feathers that showcase their individual thoughts and feelings.
Objective: To encourage children to express gratitude and creativity.
Have each child create their own “Thankful Turkey” by cutting out colorful paper feathers. On each feather, they can write or draw something they’re grateful for. Glue the feathers onto a paper turkey cutout.
2. Gratitude Tree
Create a visual representation of thankfulness with a Gratitude Tree, where each child can contribute their thoughts on what they are thankful for. This collaborative art project fosters a sense of community among the children and helps them recognize the importance of gratitude in their daily lives. As the tree fills up with colorful leaves, it serves as a beautiful reminder of their shared appreciation.
Objective: To help children recognize and share what they are thankful for.
Set up a tree-shaped display on a wall or board. Each day leading up to Thanksgiving, let children add a “leaf” (paper cutout) with something they’re thankful for. By Thanksgiving, the tree will be full of positive thoughts!
3. Thanksgiving Story Time and Puppet Show
Enhance literacy skills and creativity by combining storytelling with dramatic play. This activity allows children to immerse themselves in Thanksgiving tales, learning about the holiday's significance while developing their comprehension and expression. By making puppets and reenacting the stories, kids can bring their favorite narratives to life in a fun and engaging way.
Objective: To foster comprehension and creativity through storytelling.
Read a Thanksgiving-themed story and let children act it out using simple paper bag puppets they create. You could choose stories about the first Thanksgiving or tales of kindness and gratitude. You can find great resources for Thanksgiving stories on TeacherVision.
4. Pumpkin Sensory Bins
Introduce children to sensory play with a themed bin that captivates their interest and engages their senses. This activity is perfect for younger children, allowing them to explore various textures and colors associated with the fall season. By incorporating scooping and pouring elements, you can also help them develop fine motor skills while having fun.
Objective: To provide sensory exploration and fine motor skills development.
Fill a bin with small pumpkins, fall leaves, acorns, and corn kernels. Add scoops, measuring cups, or small buckets for children to explore. Sensory play resources can be found at Verywell Family.
5. DIY Thanksgiving Placemat
Combine art and functionality by allowing children to create their own Thanksgiving placemats. This activity not only enhances their artistic skills but also gives them a sense of ownership during mealtime. After designing their placemats, children can look forward to using them at Thanksgiving dinner, making their creation feel special and significant.
Objective: To promote creativity and ownership in mealtime settings.
Provide paper and art supplies for kids to design their own Thanksgiving placemats. Once they’re done, laminate the placemats for use during snack time or take them home for Thanksgiving dinner.
6. Nature Walk and Leaf Art
Encourage a love for nature and creativity by combining outdoor exploration with art. This activity allows children to connect with the environment while learning about seasonal changes. By collecting leaves and other natural materials, kids can express their creativity in unique ways and develop an appreciation for the beauty of fall.
Objective: To encourage appreciation of nature and creativity.
Go for a nature walk to collect fall leaves. Back in the classroom, use the leaves for art projects like leaf rubbings, leaf animals, or a collaborative Thanksgiving-themed collage. Learn more about the benefits of outdoor play at Healthy Children.
7. Thanksgiving-Themed Scavenger Hunt
Spice up your Thanksgiving celebration with a fun scavenger hunt that encourages teamwork and exploration. This activity can be tailored to different age groups and locations, making it versatile for any childcare setting. By searching for Thanksgiving-related items, children develop their observation skills and enjoy a sense of adventure while learning about the holiday.
Objective: To promote teamwork and observation skills.
Create a list of fall-related items and go on a scavenger hunt either outside or in the classroom. This can be modified with pictures for younger children. Get more ideas for Thanksgiving activities on Scholastic.
8. Friendship Bracelet Exchange
Celebrate the spirit of friendship and sharing with a craft that emphasizes the importance of social connections. By making and exchanging bracelets, children learn about kindness, generosity, and the joy of giving. This activity fosters social skills and helps build lasting relationships among peers, making it a meaningful part of your Thanksgiving celebrations.
Objective: To foster social skills and the spirit of giving.
Children can make simple friendship bracelets with fall-colored beads or yarn. Once complete, they can exchange them with friends to promote the spirit of togetherness.
9. Thanksgiving Feast Role Play
Bring the Thanksgiving feast to life with imaginative role play, allowing children to explore their creativity and practice social skills. This activity helps children understand the significance of sharing and togetherness during the holiday while having fun in a playful setting. It encourages cooperation as they work together to create a festive atmosphere.
Objective: To encourage imaginative play and understanding of sharing.
Set up a pretend “Thanksgiving feast” area with play food. Children can take turns playing different roles to practice sharing and taking turns. Explore more role play ideas at Food Network.
10. Gratitude Journal
Promote reflection and writing skills with a personal gratitude journal, encouraging children to think about and express what they are thankful for. This activity allows them to document their thoughts in a creative way, helping to develop their writing abilities and reinforcing the concept of gratitude. It also provides a lovely keepsake for them to cherish in the future.
Objective: To develop writing skills and personal reflection.
Provide each child with a small, easy-to-decorate “Gratitude Journal.” Encourage them to write or draw something they are thankful for each day leading up to Thanksgiving.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What are some easy Thanksgiving activities for preschoolers?
Preschoolers can enjoy simple activities like crafting paper turkeys, making gratitude trees, or participating in Thanksgiving-themed story time and puppet shows.
2. How can I incorporate gratitude into Thanksgiving activities for kids?
Encourage children to create thankfulness journals or host a gratitude circle where each child shares something they appreciate.
3. What are some fun Thanksgiving crafts for daycare centers?
Fun crafts include making handprint turkeys, cornucopia collages, and decorating paper plates to look like pumpkins.
4. How can I organize a Thanksgiving feast for kids in childcare?
Invite parents to contribute food items, plan a potluck-style meal, and involve children in setting the table.
5. What games can we play with children during Thanksgiving?
Games like a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt, Turkey Tag, or Thanksgiving Bingo can be enjoyable for children.
6. How can I teach children about the history of Thanksgiving?
Use age-appropriate stories, simple discussions about the first Thanksgiving, and related crafts to engage children. For more background, see the History of Thanksgiving.
7. Are there any Thanksgiving-themed songs or rhymes suitable for kids?
Popular songs for kids include “Over the River and Through the Woods” and “Five Little Turkeys.”
8. What are some healthy Thanksgiving snacks for kids?
Healthy snacks can include apple slices with peanut butter, pumpkin muffins, or veggie trays shaped like turkeys.
