Fun & Travel
Getting Ready for the Feast
Thanksgiving fun for you and your children
Celebrate Thanksgiving with fun activities and crafts for the whole family.
When you're a child, waiting for Thanksgiving dinner can seem like an eternity. The aromas of roasting turkey and pumpkin pie combined with the buzz of grown-ups gathered to cook and chat around the stove tempt restless children into the kitchen. Rather than sending the kids off to play, let them contribute to the festivities! Your children can start off November making table and house decorations, and as the holiday approaches, they'll love these great games and activities.
Nurturing Thankfulness
During the Thanksgiving holiday season, take the time to reinforce your child's sense of belonging and importance to your family. There are many ways to show your kids how much you love and appreciate them; here are just a few ideas to get you started:
- Involve your children in the planning and preparation of the Thanksgiving meal. This is a fun opportunity for your family to interact and a good way to show your child how your family needs to work as a team—and how each team player is essential.
- During the meal, ask family members to state what they are most thankful for. Parents can offer thoughts on why they are thankful to have each of their children in their lives.
- Share your happy childhood memories from your own Thanksgivings. For many parents, the holiday season is a deeply nostalgic time. Let your kids know how wonderful it is to be reliving the holidays again now with them in your life.
- Don't forget your children in the rush and frenzy of the holiday! Taking a couple minutes to stop and hug your child—whether she's a toddler or a teen—will help her feel part of this busy season.
Today and Yesterday
Check out books at the library on the first Thanksgiving. Show your children pictures of Thanksgiving feasts—contemporary celebrations (look through magazines for a picture of a typical modern-day Thanksgiving feast) as well as those from long ago (your library books may have several different artist renderings of that first Thanksgiving). As you look at these pictures together, ask you and your child the following questions:
- How are these dinners alike? How are they different?
- What foods did the Pilgrims and Native Americans eat? What foods do you eat on Thanksgiving?
- Look at the eating and serving utensils. Did the Pilgrims eat with their hands or wooden spoons instead of silverware? Did they use wooden mugs and plates? What type of plates and glasses do we use today?
- Did the Native Americans and Pilgrims dress differently? How did they dress?
- Who comes to Thanksgiving dinner at your house?
- For what were the Pilgrims thankful? For what are you thankful?
Related Links
- Article: Create Your Own Holiday Cards
- Advice: Father's Day Tribute
- Slideshow: 10 Tips for a Sexier Pregnancy
- Quiz: Test Your Thanksgiving History IQ
- Poll: Will you let your child go out trick-or-treating this year?
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