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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Make the place settings kid-friendly with these Button Indian Corn Napkin Rings. This is a great craft to do before the big day.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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!
- Color pasta and have kids make {Macaroni Kid-inspired} Noodle Necklaces. Directions found here.
- Play Thanksgiving Day Bingo!
