Thanksgiving Ideas to do with kids

I've been collecting ideas to share with my Mom2Mom group at church on activities to do with your kids for Thanksgiving so I thought I would share with you.  Here are a few of my favorites.   Some of these we already do as a family and others I plan on doing this year.  Remember, it doesn't matter what you do, just make it a yearly tradition and it will become a sweet memory for your child when they are older.  

1)  Have kids cut out pictures of things they are thankful for.  Glue them on large pieces of construction paper and laminate it.  Use as placemats for Thanksgiving Dinner.

2)  Hide colorful feathers (you can buy these at a craft store like Michaels) around the yard or house and have the kids find them (similar to an Easter Egg Hunt).  If you are real crafty, afterwards you can use these feathers to make an indian headdress.  

3)  Purchase a plain white tablecloth and sharpie markers.  Use this tablecloth for your Thanksgiving Meal.  When all the guests sit down to eat, have everyone sign his or her name, write a message or draw a picture.  You can re-use this each year and keep adding to it. 

4)  Turkey Handprints – you can put this on sweat shirts, paper plates, or cardstock & frame.

5) Pilgrim Hat Cookies  – Place a striped shortbread cookie face down, place a chocolate covered Marshmallow on top, use yellow frosting to draw a square for buckle on hat.

6)  Gingerbread houses-  make a tradition each year of creating gingerbread houses on Thanksgiving Day.  This is what my kids love the most!   My best advice for this activity is to hot glue the house together instead of using the icing....much easier!    

7) Blessing Mix  - This is a easy thing for kids to make to give to Sunday School Teachers, classroom teachers or friends. To print out the gift tag, go to www.organizedchristmas.com and in search box type in Blessings Mix.  This is an awesome website with many ideas for all holidays.  

8) Secretly give gifts to people that you are thankful for.  The kids will think this is fun to leave a present on the doorstep and then run away.  Leave the person a special note telling them why you are thankful for them.