Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
A day spent eating too much turkey and falling asleep on the couch watching football may sound like sheer nirvana to busy adults. But for kids, between the fun of Halloween costumes and the joy of Christmas, Thanksgiving can sometimes seem a little…blah. We’ve found some great ways to help keep the holiday meaningful as well as fun. Here are our top 5!
1. Make the Most of the Morning
Whether you spend it volunteering in the community, creating a special family breakfast, or simply taking a walk outside, Thanksgiving morning is a great time to connect as a family. Volunteering can include activities like serving a meal at a local soup kitchen or church supper or running in a Turkey Trot, which typically benefits a local charity. Special breakfast foods like pumpkin pancakes, apple cider, and beautifully peculiar pomegranates can be reserved for this special meal and become a tradition all their own. Or, since adults will be in charge of the afternoon and evening meals, let kids be in charge of Thanksgiving breakfast – who knows what they’ll come up with?! And a walk on a cool fall morning is a great way to enjoy nature and work up a Thanksgiving-sized appetite.
2. Reach Out
Not everyone has somewhere to go on Thanksgiving; talk with your kids about who you may know that might be alone on the holiday and reach out. “What’s the point of a beautiful Thanksgiving table and delicious food if you can’t share in it?” says Jordan Stringfellow, owner of a Los Angeles-based event planning company. “Extend an invitation to an elderly neighbor whose family can’t visit or a coworker who’s far from home — and if they opt to stay home, take them a plate.” If your child has a friend whose parent works on the holiday, invite them to your celebration—and welcome their parent after their shift at work is over. Even if your invitation is turned down, chances are they’ll appreciate your kindness.
3. Play games
Playing these easy, fun games is a great way to get everyone involved in celebration. Play a game of “Thankful Scattergories”—you can find a template here or just use paper and pens you have on hand. Play the “Thankful Game” by asking everyone to write down what they’re thankful for on a piece of paper, then put the pieces in a jar. Take them out and read them one-by-one and have everyone guess whose is whose! Or bake in some fun by planting secret messages—hide them in your biscuits or dinner rolls. When guests bite in, they’ll get a fun surprise!
4. Build on Each Year
Start a new tradition this year by passing around a blank journal. Have each guest write (or draw, for the little ones) one thing they are thankful for this year. Next year and each year after, add to the journal and enjoy revisiting past years’ entries. Another way to connect traditions across the years is to assign a special duty each year to the children. Whether it’s serving dessert, setting the table, or decorating the front door, giving children their special job each year helps them feel like an important part of the festivities and allows them to grow and get more creative each year.
5. Use technology
Tweens and teens are never far from their phones, so use their tech skills to bring your kitchen timers into the 21st century. Have them choose a special song or sound and set the timer. Their job is to let you know when time’s up—and maybe you can get a little kitchen help while they’re there! You can also connect with loved ones far away through a variety of technologies. Do a video call before dinner, or Facetime with family members during games or toasts. You could even start the tradition of an annual Google Hangout—coordinate your mealtimes, say grace or toast together, and even play games virtually. With the technology available, there are tons of ways to connect.
