Return to Articles

11.01.2025

Celebrating Thanksgiving with Young Children: Tips and Activities for Families

November is a time for giving thanks—for family, friends, and the little moments that make each day special.

Whether your table is set for a big Thanksgiving feast or a cozy meal at home, it’s a wonderful season to help young children learn about gratitude, kindness and togetherness.

Simple Ways to Celebrate with Young Children

• Create a Thankful Tree: Cut out paper leaves and invite your child to write or draw what they’re thankful for—family, pets, teachers, or even favorite toys. Hang them on a small branch in a vase or tape them to a wall. It’s a beautiful way to show gratitude all month long. See below for more Thanksgiving themed crafts and activities for young children!
  
  
• Cook Together: Little hands love to help! Let your child mash potatoes, stir batter, or wash veggies. Cooking teaches early math, science, and language skills. For simple, kid-friendly recipes, visit gov’s Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes.
  
  
• Share Family Stories: Young children love hearing about family traditions. Show photos from past holidays, tell stories about when you were little, or talk about what makes your family special. Storytelling builds connection and helps children understand where they come from.

Including Every Child in the Celebration

Thanksgiving can be overwhelming for young children—especially those with special needs or sensory sensitivities. Try these tips for an inclusive, calm holiday:

• Plan ahead. Let your child know what to expect. A simple visual schedule or social story can make new routines easier.
  
  
• Create a quiet space. A calm corner with headphones, a soft blanket, or a favorite toy can help children take a break when things get noisy.
  
  
• Keep routines when possible. Familiar nap and meal times help children feel secure even during busy days.
  
  
• Celebrate in your own way. A small gathering, picnic, or even a gratitude walk outdoors can be just as meaningful as a big dinner.

Building Gratitude All Year

Gratitude doesn’t have to end when the leftovers are gone. Each day offers opportunities to teach thankfulness—saying “thank you,” helping a friend, or noticing something beautiful outside.

These small acts build empathy and emotional development, helping children grow into kind, caring people.

This November, take a moment to slow down, share a meal, tell a story, and celebrate the joy of being together. From our First 5 Nevada family to yours—Happy Thanksgiving!

Activity Corner: 5 Thanksgiving Crafts and Activities for Young Children

1. Thankful Handprint Turkey

Ages: 1–5 years

Supplies:

• Paper (construction or plain)
• Non-toxic paint or washable ink pads
• Crayons or markers

Directions:

1. Paint your child’s hand with different colors for each finger and gently press it onto the paper.
2. Once dry, draw a beak, eye, and legs to turn it into a turkey.
3. With your child, talk about things they love—family, pets, toys—and write or draw them around the turkey.

Learning connection: Builds sensory awareness, color recognition, and early gratitude.

2. Fall Sensory Bin

Ages: 0–4 years

Supplies:

• Large plastic tub or shallow box
• Natural materials (leaves, pinecones, small sticks)
• Measuring cups, spoons, or plastic containers

Directions:

1. Fill a bin with leaves, pinecones, and other safe natural items.
2. Add cups and spoons for scooping, stacking, and sorting.
3. Supervise play closely—especially with babies and toddlers—to ensure items are safe for little hands and mouths.

Learning connection: Supports sensory exploration, motor skills, and early science discovery.

3. Family Thankful Collage

Ages: 2–5 years

Supplies:

• Old magazines or printed family photos
• Glue stick
• Scissors (child-safe)
• Large sheet of paper

Directions:

1. Cut or tear out pictures of things your child loves—family members, pets, foods, or toys.
2. Glue them onto the paper to make a “Thankful Collage.”
3. Talk about each picture and why it’s special.

Learning connection: Builds emotional awareness, language skills, and family connection.

4. Nature Walk “Thankful Bag”

Ages: 2–5 years

Supplies:

• Small paper bag or basket
• Crayons or stickers (to decorate the bag)

Directions:

1. Decorate a paper bag to make a “Thankful Bag.”
2. Take a short walk and collect small natural items your child finds interesting—leaves, rocks, flowers, pinecones.
3. When you get home, talk about what they found and why they chose each item.

Learning connection: Encourages curiosity, observation, and outdoor play.

5. Thankful Song and Dance

Ages: 0–5 years

Supplies:

• Music (any Thanksgiving or fall-themed children’s song, or clap your own rhythm)

Directions:

1. Sing or make up a simple song about things your child is thankful for (“I’m thankful for my family, clap clap!”).
2. Add movement—stomping, clapping, or twirling—to get little bodies moving.
3. Encourage your child to name or show what makes them happy as they dance.

Learning connection: Builds self-expression, gross motor skills, and emotional development.