6 ways to make Thanksgiving more meaningful with kids

Thanksgiving is a time of reflection, gratitude and sharing meals with family or close friends. Holidays are the perfect time to create traditions and opportunities to teach your kids about the importance of being thankful. Create lasting Thanksgiving memories to cherish with your little ones for years to come with these thoughtful ideas. 

1. The gratitude jar: Fostering daily thankfulness

In the whirlwind of daily life, cultivating a sense of gratitude in our children is more important than ever. The gratitude jar is a simple yet impactful method:

• Grab an empty jar and small pieces of paper.
• Throughout the month of November, encourage your children to write down one thing they are thankful for each day and drop it into the jar.
• On Thanksgiving Day, read them aloud together. 

The beauty of the gratitude jar lies is that it serves as a poignant reminder that even on challenging days, there are blessings to acknowledge. The ritual of sharing what everyone has written becomes a heartwarming Thanksgiving tradition that your children will treasure. You can also share them each night or share them at the end of the week. We started one last Thanksgiving and have loved pushing each week to be thankful for small and large events of the week. 

2. Cooking together: Fostering tradition and collaboration

The Thanksgiving feast requires a lot of time and work and involving your children in its preparation can be a meaningful experience. Even young children can assist with age-appropriate tasks, from washing vegetables to picking out recipes to setting the table.

• Assign specific responsibilities to each child, making them feel like vital contributors.
• Share stories of family Thanksgiving traditions while you cook, passing down cherished memories.
• Allow your children to unleash their creativity by participating in the decoration of the table or menu planning.

Cooking together transcends the meal itself; it strengthens bonds as you work side by side. It offers the opportunity to teach them teamwork and the significance of preserving family traditions.

3. Acts of kindness: Extending gratitude beyond the home

Thanksgiving provides an excellent occasion to instill in your children the joy of giving back. Engage in acts of kindness as a family, emphasizing the idea of extending gratitude beyond your own household.

• Volunteer at a local food bank or shelter. Allow your children to experience the fulfillment of helping those less fortunate.
• Have your kids pick out food at the supermarket and find a local food pantry or community fridge where you can drop it off. 
• Assemble “Thanksgiving care packages” and distribute them in your community to those in need.
• Encourage your children to write heartfelt thank-you notes to teachers, first responders, or others who have made a positive impact on their lives.

Acts of kindness cultivates empathy and compassion but also allows your children to experience the rewarding feeling of making a difference in someone’s life.

4. Storytime: Embracing tradition and togetherness

Thanksgiving presents an excellent opportunity to share stories, both personal and historical, with your children. Gather your family for a special Thanksgiving storytime.

• Share personal anecdotes from your own childhood Thanksgivings.
• Encourage older children to write their own short stories or poems centered around gratitude.

Storytime not only fosters a cozy atmosphere but also helps your children connect with the values and historical context of Thanksgiving. It provides a moment to reflect on the past while appreciating the present.

5. Gratitude scavenger hunt: Fun with a purpose

Children delight in scavenger hunts, and incorporating a Thanksgiving theme adds an extra layer of meaning to the activity. Create a list of items or experiences that symbolize things to be grateful for and send your children on a scavenger hunt within your home or neighborhood.

• Include items such as a vibrant leaf, a cherished family photograph, a beloved toy, or even a warm hug from a loved one.
• After each discovery, take a moment to discuss why it holds special significance and brings joy.

This activity not only injects an element of excitement into Thanksgiving but also encourages your children to reflect on the things that evoke happiness and gratitude in their hearts.

6. Thankful tree: A visual expression of gratitude

Transform your home into a visual testament of gratitude with a “Thankful Tree.” Here’s how to create one:

• Gather branches and arrange them in a vase or container.
• Cut out paper leaves and attach a string to each one.
• Throughout November, encourage your children to inscribe something they are thankful for on each leaf and hang it on the tree.

Observing the tree adorned with leaves of gratitude is a poignant visual reminder of the abundance of blessings in our lives. It serves as a central symbol of thankfulness that can become a cherished part of your family’s Thanksgiving tradition for years to come. Thanksgiving crafts for kids are a great way to celebrate!

As you gather around the Thanksgiving table, remember that the true essence of the holiday lies in the love shared and the meaningful traditions created with your family.