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30+ Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers

All these 10+ Thanksgiving activities for toddlers will keep them busy on Thanksgiving day while you are occupied preparing your favorite holiday meal.

You will find games, educational worksheets, scavenger hunts, crafts and gratitude notes, and napkin joke rings.

Let’s dive right in.

Thanksgiving toddler Activities

All You Need to Know About Thanksgiving

Not every culture celebrates Thanksgiving! Therefore here are some facts about Thanksgiving for those who are not familiar with this popular American holiday!

What Is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is an American and Canadian Holiday and is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.

This holiday people celebrate with a big dinner and show gratitude for everything they have in their lives.

The History of Thanksgiving

The first Thanksgiving was considered when Native Americans and early settlers gave thanks together with this historic feast back in 1621.

The first recorded religious Thanksgiving Day in Plymouth happened two years later in 1623.

And more information about the first Thanksgiving can be found in this article from the National Geographic Kids here.

Classic Thanksgiving Traditions

In America, Thanksgiving is celebrated with a big family dinner or the more modern version “Friendsgiving”.

Recording to Holidappy these are the 6 most important American Thanksgiving day traditions:

  • Turkey
  • Cranberry Sauce
  • Cracking the Wishbone
  • Macy’s Parade
  • Thanksgiving Day Football
  • Holiday Movies

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Toddler Thanksgiving Activities

But now let’s get started on these great Thanksgiving projects for your kids.

Please note that all Thanksgiving activity step-by-step tutorials can be found by clicking on the project’s name.

It will lead you directly to the instructions!

Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt for Kids

By Lil Tigers

Free Printable Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

Why don’t you try something new this year?

How about a fun Thanksgiving scavenger hunt for your kids? It will keep them busy and you time to cook in peace and quiet.

Click through now and get your free printable!

Turkey Glitter Jar

By Lil Tigers

fun diy turkey glitter jar

Make this adorable turkey glitter jar and calm your children during this holiday.

Gratitude Notes

By Lil Tigers

gratitude notes for kids

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to learn gratitude. Go check out our 50+ Gratitude Quotes for Kids.
If you are looking for quotes for different occasions, you can find them here.

Thanksgiving Bingo

By Lil Tigers

free printable thanksgiving bingo for kids

Go check out this fun turkey bingo game and play it with up to 10 players.

How to Make a Pilgrim Hat for Thanksgiving

By Simply full of Delight

preschool Thanksgiving activity

Here’s how to make a Pilgrim Hat Headband!

This Thanksgiving craft is fast and easy, with little to no mess! Perfect for little ones to practice their scissor skills or kids who are getting ready to dress up for a Thanksgiving feast!

Are you interested in more DIY Kids Activities, Arts & Crafts, and Easy Science Experiments? Subscribe to our newsletter now and never miss an update on new ideas for kids or free printables! Click here

Friendship Quotes

By Lil Tigers

friendship quotes for kids

Show how thankful you are for your friends with these awesome friendship quotes and while you are at it try these 25 Fun Friendship Activities as well!

Pine Cone Turkey Craft

By Mom Wife Busy Life

thanksgiving activity for 2 year old

Thanksgiving activity for 2-year-olds: This pine cone turkey craft for kids is simple and easy to make!

Just find a pine cone on your next nature walk. Add colorful feathers to make this a beautiful display this year!

Thankful Tree

By Angie Holden

Thankfull Tree

A beautiful DIY thankful tree is an opportunity to express your family’s attitude of gratitude!

This colorful, fun project gets the whole family involved, and bonus: It looks great as a table centerpiece!

Thanksgiving Cookies

By Saving Talents

Thanksgiving cookies

Keep the kids busy while you cook Thanksgiving dinner by decorating these sour cream Thanksgiving cookies!

The cream cheese frosting is perfect for sprinkles, dye, and fun designs!

Thanksgiving Turkey Headband DIY

By All About Baby Blog

thanksgiving activity for 3 year olds

Try to make this super cute Turkey headband with your children. It is the perfect Thanksgiving activity for preschool children.

12 Hilarious Thanksgiving Games

By Play Party Plan

These Thanksgiving minute-to-win-it games are fun for all ages! Give it a try!

Thanksgiving Handprint Tree

By Crafts by Amanda

thanksgiving hand print tree

This Thanksgiving handprint tree is a great way to teach kids about being thankful. It helps them to realize how blessed they really are!

Be sure to display your Thanksgiving Handprint Tree somewhere that everyone can see! It’s a cute addition to your entryway or fireplace mantle as well.

Other Thanksgiving Crafts for Toddlers

Here are some more Thanksgiving toddler ideas on how to entertain your children while cooking dinner:

Thanksgiving Ideas for Preschoolers

Thanksgiving Learning Games

By Team Cartwright

thanksgiving learning games

Free printable Thanksgiving learning activities! Work on number sense, color by number, and play seek and find with these fun and easy games.

Thanksgiving Mask

By The Purple Yarn

preschooler Thanksgiving activities

This Thanksgiving, let kids enjoy playing dress-up with this pretty turkey mask. By using a paper plate and other basic craft supplies, kids can make this turkey mask easily.

Tie-Dye Turkey Craft for Preschoolers

By The Play Based Mom

toddler thanksgiving activity

This tie-dye turkey craft uses simple household materials. It’s sure to be a hit for everyone, from toddlers to big kids!

The perfect Thanksgiving craft for 3-year-olds and their older siblings! It also makes a nice preschool Thanksgiving art project for your students. Give it a try!

Gratitude Kindness Notes

By Coffee and Carpool

gratitude notes

Focus on gratitude and spread kindness with these gratitude kindness notes. You can put them on your Thanksgiving table or send the gratitude notes to the family.

It is the perfect Thanksgiving activity for Kindergartner but if you like to include your toddler they can also simply draw a thankful picture.

Thanksgiving Kids Table Joke Napkins

By On my Kids Plate

Thanksgiving Kids Table Joke Napkins

Having a party and making a Thanksgiving kid’s table?

These free printable joke napkin rings are an easy way to add a little find for kids to your Thanksgiving table.

Print all sixteen of these little silly Thanksgiving napkin rings and watch the kids laugh and giggle.

Other Preschool Thanksgiving Activities

There is always more to learn and explore. Here are more fun Thanksgiving projects for preschoolers:


All these Thanksgiving crafts are so fun for kids. If you are a visual learner, here is a video I love to feature these great last-minute thanksgiving activities for your classroom:

Pin These Thanksgiving Activities for Toddlers

Don’t forget to save these Toddler Activities for Thanksgiving on Pinterest for later! Be sure you are following along with Lil Tigers.

Now it is your turn.
Did you enjoy our Thanksgiving activities for toddlers to do? Which Thanksgiving idea for preschoolers did you like best?
Don’t forget to leave a comment below and add a picture of your activity.
I’d love to hear from you!