The best Thanksgiving activities for kids are simple and built around gratitude: a thankful tree, placemats to color, table games, word searches and a short story about the harvest. They work for ages 3 to 10 at home or in a K–5 classroom, and most need only paper, crayons and scissors.
Thanksgiving in the United States falls on the fourth Thursday of November. Kids often have a long weekend, and classrooms usually celebrate the week before. Below are ideas for both settings, plus a short FAQ.
1. Make a thankful tree
Draw or tape a bare tree trunk on a wall or poster. Kids trace their hands on orange, red and yellow paper, cut out the "leaves" and write or draw one thing they are thankful for on each. At home it becomes a centerpiece; in class it fills a bulletin board.
2. Color Thanksgiving placemats
Printed placemats keep little ones busy while dinner is finishing and give them something to show off at the table. Our Thanksgiving Kids Activity Pack includes coloring pages and activity sheets in English and Spanish that print on standard letter paper.
3. Play gratitude table games
Try "Gratitude Pass": pass a small object around the table, and whoever holds it shares one thing they are thankful for. Other easy options are Thanksgiving I Spy, a quick "Would You Rather" round, or guessing which family member said each thankful note pulled from a jar.
4. Try word searches and mazes
Word puzzles build vocabulary (harvest, pumpkin, family, thankful) and are perfect for early finishers. Bilingual sheets let kids learn the same words in Spanish: cosecha, calabaza, familia, agradecido.
5. Run a classroom gratitude circle
For K–5, sit in a circle and give each student a sentence starter: "I am thankful for… because…". Younger kids can draw instead of write. Collect the pages into a class book.
6. Read and talk about the harvest
Pick an age-appropriate picture book about harvest time or gratitude. Keep the history honest and respectful, and include Native perspectives where you can. Many educators recommend focusing on gratitude, community and sharing.
7. Make paper turkeys and leaf crafts
Paper plate turkeys, leaf rubbings with crayons and torn-paper collages are classic low-mess crafts. Gather real leaves on a walk first to add a little outdoor time.
8. Plan a low-prep class party
A 45–60 minute plan works well: a coloring warm-up, one whole-class game, two or three activity stations and snack time. Print one activity pack and you have every station covered.
Get ready for the whole season
If you celebrate more than one holiday, the Holiday Season Bundle brings our Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year packs together. Want to try before you buy? Grab the free sampler.
Frequently asked questions
What are easy Thanksgiving activities for kids?
A thankful tree, coloring placemats, gratitude table games, word searches and paper turkey crafts are easy and need only basic supplies.
What Thanksgiving activities work in a classroom?
Gratitude circles, a class thankful book, word puzzles, leaf crafts and rotating activity stations all work well for K–5.
How can I keep kids busy on Thanksgiving Day?
Set out printable coloring pages, mazes and word searches at a kids' table, then add a gratitude game during dinner.
Are there bilingual Thanksgiving printables?
Yes. The Jolly Paper Co Thanksgiving Kids Activity Pack includes English and Spanish versions of each page.
Where can I get printable Thanksgiving activities?
The Thanksgiving Kids Activity Pack from Jolly Paper Co is an instant download you can print at home or school.