Riddle: How many preschoolers, under 6, can fit at a card table on Thanksgiving without spilling their milk, and allowing mom to finish (or start) her glass of wine? The Answer: Zero. Unless…You have a kid’s table. When in doubt, distract them. I am kidding!! (No, I’m not.)
In this article I’ll tell you some great ideas to add to a kid’s table including decorations, activities, and books. So, let’s jump into this incredible table of entertainment!
RELATED: Check out this Thanksgiving kid’s activity table for more inspiration.
Ideas for Your Kid’s Table
Decoration Ideas
- Dot Sticker Sort Turkey: Busy Toddler – place the same color stickers on the right turkey tail.
- Hand Print Turkey Napkin Ring: The Mama Workshop – draw around little one’s hands on colored cards and cut out the hand prints for a napkin ring.
- Snack Ideas: Veggies and Virtue
- Thanksgiving Puzzle (free template): Natural Beach Living – keep the kids preoccupied with simple puzzles.
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Placemat Ideas (Provide Things to Do at the Kid’s Table)
- Create a Turkey: Teaching Mama – use cookie cutters to decorate
- FREE Thanksgiving Activity Pack Yoga Pants and Pearls -this pack has an array of coloring, numbers, and everything in between!
- Fun Preschool Printable Coloring Mat: The Kindergarten Connection – preoccupy your kids while encouraging fine motor skills with coloring.
- Invitation to Create Placemats: Days with Grey – make place settings using different colors and textures.
- Printable Word Search: Sunny Day Family – improve literacy skills using a word search.
- Scrapbook Place Mat: Books and Giggles – use books to inspire creative placemats.
- Thanksgiving I Spy Printable: Little Bins for Little Hands – everyone knows I Spy! Use the game at your kid’s table.
Turkey Games (Things to Create While Waiting)
- Egg Carton Turkey Craft: Red Ted Art – make fun turkeys using old egg cartons.
- Fall Handprint Tree: The Best Ideas for Kids – draw around hands and cut them out to create the leaves for a makeshift tree.
- Make a Turkey Bookmark: Red Ted Art – make a cute turkey bookmark for all those Thanksgiving books.
- Paper Bag Turkey Craft: Days with Grey – make a paper bag turkey for a fun DIY decoration
- Retell Turkey Trouble: Days with Grey – get everyone outside to retell one of our favorite Thanksgiving books called, Turkey Trouble.
- Roll the Turkey: Days with Grey – practice gross motor skills and retell a story with turkey dice!
- Scrabble Letters: Days with Grey – amazing for letter recognition and literacy.
- Turkey Disguises: The Mama Workshop – create silly turkey props and dress up!
Books to Read at the Kid’s Table
- Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet
- Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
- Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving by James Dean
- The Pilgrims’ First Thanksgiving by Ann McGovern
- There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey! by Lucille Colandro
- Turkey Trouble by Wendy Silvano
Craving a calmer morning?
Breakfast Invitations are simple learning games that begin the day with play.
A Kid’s Activity is a Great Start to the Day
An array of activities encourages play, develops skills, and builds friendships. Have this table set up for a Breakfast Invitation, create it for parties, or use it as entertainment over the holidays. The choice is yours!
Frequently Asked Questions
Activity tables are fun for all ages! I know many 40 year olds that love a mean game of tic-tac-toe and six year olds that love finding a few words in a crossword. Set up a variety of ideas like this Thanksgiving activity table and you will be set for the lull between the cheese ball appetizer and turkey.
Keep it simple. Remember children love easy ideas that spark creativity.
The best table for kids is one where they can sit comfortably and reach their food. Think about what activities your child has enjoyed this year and include them in the mix!
