What are the best Thanksgiving activities for preschoolers?
The best Thanksgiving activities for preschoolers are simple, hands-on, and engaging—such as making turkey crafts, reading Thanksgiving-themed picture books, creating gratitude trees, and enjoying sensory play with autumn-themed materials.
These activities help children develop fine motor skills, learn about gratitude, and participate in the holiday spirit in age-appropriate ways. For a full activity list, see the table below or download a free Thanksgiving preschool calendar at Jocalendars.com.
Why Plan Thanksgiving Activities for Preschoolers?
Thanksgiving offers a chance to introduce children to gratitude, sharing, and traditions. Activities should be short, interactive, and flexible for small attention spans.
They also work well in both classroom and at-home settings.
Best Thanksgiving Activities for Preschoolers
Here’s a curated list of 15 easy and engaging Thanksgiving activities for preschoolers:
- Turkey Handprint Craft – Trace and decorate handprints to make turkeys.
- Gratitude Tree – Paper leaves with things children are thankful for.
- Pumpkin Counting Game – Use mini pumpkins for math fun.
- Sensory Bin with Corn Kernels – Add scoops, cups, and toy turkeys.
- Pilgrim Hat Craft – Simple black hat with a yellow buckle.
- Thanksgiving Story Time – Read age-appropriate picture books.
- Feather Color Match Game – Match paper feathers to the right colors.
- Playdough Pie Making – Create pretend pies with scented playdough.
- Corn Painting – Roll corn cobs in paint for fun patterns.
- Turkey Dance – Move and shake to a “turkey wobble” song.
- Harvest Sorting Activity – Sort plastic fruits and veggies by type.
- Nature Walk for Fall Leaves – Collect leaves for crafts.
- Build a Thankful Collage – Use magazine cutouts of things kids love.
- Thanksgiving Bingo – Picture-based bingo cards for non-readers.
- Pumpkin Bowling – Use small pumpkins as bowling balls.
Thanksgiving Activity Table for Preschoolers
| Activity Name | Skills Developed | Time Needed | Materials Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey Handprint Craft | Fine motor skills | 15 min | Paper, markers, googly eyes |
| Gratitude Tree | Emotional awareness | 20 min | Paper leaves, glue, markers |
| Pumpkin Counting Game | Counting, sorting | 10 min | Mini pumpkins, baskets |
| Sensory Corn Bin | Sensory exploration | 15 min | Corn kernels, scoops, toy animals |
| Playdough Pie Making | Creativity | 20 min | Playdough, pie tins |
FAQs: Thanksgiving Activities for Preschoolers
1. What is a simple Thanksgiving activity for a preschool classroom?
A turkey handprint craft is perfect—it’s quick, colorful, and uses basic materials.
2. How do you teach gratitude to preschoolers?
Use a “gratitude tree” where each child adds a leaf with something they’re thankful for.
3. What’s an easy no-prep Thanksgiving activity?
Read a Thanksgiving-themed picture book or sing a turkey song.
4. Can Thanksgiving activities be educational?
Yes—counting games, sorting, and storytelling all build early learning skills.
5. How long should preschool Thanksgiving activities last?
Keep activities between 10–20 minutes to match preschool attention spans.
6. What if I don’t have craft supplies?
Try nature-based activities like collecting leaves or drawing turkeys on plain paper.
7. When should I start Thanksgiving activities with preschoolers?
Begin 1–2 weeks before Thanksgiving to build excitement and understanding.