Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and there's no better way to celebrate than with a cornucopia of family-friendly activities and decorations! We've got a feast of ideas to make your holiday unforgettable, from homemade centerpieces to heartwarming gratitude activities. Gather the kids and get ready to gobble up the fun with these hands-on activities you'll all be grateful for!
Fun and Engaging Thanksgiving Games
We know how hard it can be to keep little ones engaged during holiday events, so give these kid-approved games a try:
Thanksgiving Bingo: Create your own Thanksgiving-themed bingo cards with images of turkey, pumpkin pie, and other holiday staples for a unique game that is sure to entertain kids and adults alike.
Thanksgiving Movie Marathon: Kick off the holiday season with a family movie night featuring Thanksgiving-themed films such as "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," "Addams Family Values," and "Garfield's Thanksgiving."
Turkey Trot: Host a mini "turkey trot" in your backyard. It's a fun way to burn some calories and get the kids moving before the big meal. Just be sure to have those cameras ready!
Creating Lasting Family Traditions
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to carry on or start new family traditions that will be cherished for years to come. As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, it's the perfect season to explore a variety of fall activities for kids that celebrate the beauty and joy of autumn. Here are a few ideas that we love:
Start a Family Thankful Journal: Begin a journal where family members write down what they are thankful for each year. Keeping a “thankful journal” is a great way to encourage your family to take pause and reflect on the blessings in your lives.
Plan a Family-Friendly Thanksgiving Feast: Get the kids involved in meal preparation to create a sense of togetherness and teach them valuable culinary skills.
Host a Pie Baking Contest: Host a friendly "bake-off" to see who can bake the best Thanksgiving pie. This tradition is sure to quickly become a new family favorite. After all, there's nothing quite like a bit of friendly competition and a whole bunch of tasty treats to bring family and friends closer together!
Design DIY Decorations: Let the kids craft their own placemats or name cards for the table to add a personal touch to your Thanksgiving feast.
Meaningful Gratitude Activities
Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude. Try these activities to help your family reflect on their blessings:
Thanksgiving Storytelling for Kids: Encourage your little ones to share what they're thankful for by creating short stories or drawings.
Family Thankful Circle: Sit in a circle and take turns expressing gratitude. While this may seem like a simple exercise, it’s also an incredibly powerful way to connect as a family.
Outdoor Thanksgiving Activities
Take advantage of the beautiful autumn weather this year with these outdoor activities:
Thanksgiving Nature Walk: Explore the vibrant fall foliage with a nature walk and gather up some colorful leaves and pinecones to use in your Thanksgiving decorations.
Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt: Organize a scavenger hunt in your backyard or at a nearby park. Create a list of Thanksgiving-related items, and send your kids off on the hunt!
Indoor Thanksgiving Crafts & DIY Projects
When the weather turns chilly, keep the family entertained indoors with these creative crafts and projects:
Homemade Centerpieces: Gather acorns, pinecones, and colorful leaves to make stunning centerpieces for your Thanksgiving table, and let your creativity run wild! Alternatively, you can also stop by our pumpkin flower design class this Sunday for some more creative fun for the whole family!
Corn Husk Dolls: Craft corn husk dolls with your kids to add a touch of rustic charm to your Thanksgiving decor.
Decorating and Setting the Thanksgiving Table: Create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your Thanksgiving celebration by dressing it up with all things fall! A favorite practice of ours is to use pie pumpkins, gourds, and squashes to create charming decorations and centerpieces that are both beautiful and edible!
Acorn Wreaths: Craft a beautiful wreath using acorns and twine and hang it on your front door to welcome guests.
Virtual Thanksgiving Activities for Remote Families
If you can't be with your loved ones in person this year, don't despair: you can still share the spirit of Thanksgiving with them! Give these virtual activities a try:
Virtual Thanksgiving Feast: Share a meal with your family via video call. Seeing and talking with each other over a meal is a great way to feel connected, even from a distance.
Thanksgiving Parade at Home: Stream the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and watch it together virtually!
Local Events
Kick off the holiday season by attending some spectacular annual local events. Why not try these?
Festival of Trees: The Festival of Trees in Iowa is a cherished holiday tradition, showcasing stunningly decorated trees and creating a magical and festive atmosphere that delights visitors of all ages.
Wallace's Holiday Open House: For more family-friendly fun, don't miss our Holiday Open House! Here you can capture some family photos in the Wallace’s sleigh and soak in the holiday fun.
Wallace's Fresh Tree Lot: Visit our fresh tree lot or our pre-lit artificial tree forest to find the perfect Christmas tree, then, have everyone make an ornament to go on the tree!
This holiday season, embrace the spirit of gratitude and togetherness with these family-friendly Thanksgiving activities. Whether you're enjoying outdoor adventures, creating homemade centerpieces, or hosting a virtual feast, your family will cherish the memories you create for years to come. If you’re ready to make this year’s Thanksgiving celebration truly unforgettable, visit us at Wallace’s Garden Center for more great fall fun ideas, supplies, and gourds galore!
