25 Fun Thanksgiving School Activities for Children

Handprint turkeys and paper pilgrim hats are great, but once your kids have made them for a few years in a row, they want something new and different to do at their school Thanksgiving party. Here are some fresh ideas that'll keep the kids interested and learning — in every school subject area.

History

A lot has happened in America since the pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in 1620. Help children understand the historical significance and how it relates to their lives today.

Thanksgiving rewind. What was Thanksgiving like 100 ago? Turns out it was kind of like Halloween. People wore masks and made mischief. Create your own Thanksgiving masks and talk about the traditions we observe now that might seem strange to people in 1915. For example, flying giant balloons through downtown Manhattan or watching hours of football on TV.
Think global. Thanksgiving is uniquely American, but many cultures hold harvest festivals during which they give thanks for their great bounty. Learn about and even practice some foreign traditions. Sample yam-based dishes like the ones they make in several African countries for their harvest festivals. Make your own version of Chinese moon cakes.
Thanksgiving predictions. What will Thanksgiving look like a century from now? Have the kids draw pictures and write stories about the Thanksgiving of the future. What technology will we be using to cook our turkeys in 2115?