12 Thanksgiving Songs & Fingerplays for Preschoolers
Bring some music and movement into your Thanksgiving theme with these simple songs and fingerplays.
Most of them are sung to the tune of familiar nursery rhymes, making them easy for young children to pick up and join in with.
Here are some Thanksgiving songs for preschoolers, with lyrics, actions and videos to sing along to. The last fingerplay teaches children some simple sign language.
1. The Turkeys Go Waddling One By One
Sung to the tune of The Ants Go Marching One by One, this Thanksgiving version is a fun way to practise rhythm and early counting skills.
2. Mr. Turkey and Mr. Duck
Here is a fun fingerplay by Miss Angie from The Neighbourhood Story Time. Follow along with the video and lyrics below.
Lyrics:
Mr. Turkey went out one day in the bright sunshine-y weather.
When along came Mr. Duck,
And they stopped to talk together.
Gobble, gobble, gobble
Quack, quack, quack
Gobble, gobble, gobble,
Quack, quack, quack,
Gobble, gobble, gobble,
Quack, quack, quack,
And they said goodbye and they both went back.
Repeat the verse using Mrs. Turkey and Mrs. Duck, then repeat again with Baby Turkey and Baby Duck.
3. If You're Thankful and You Know It
Teach your children this Thanksgiving version of If You're Happy and You Know It, with actions such as clapping your hands, stomping your feet and shouting “I am!”
4. Wheels on the Bus Thanksgiving Song
In this version, the wheels on the bus go round and round, the turkeys go gobble, the leaves go flutter, the pumpkins go bounce, the corn goes munch, the apples go crunch, and the kids say I am thankful!
5. Ten Little Turkeys
Teach your children this simple counting fingerplay by Miss Tiffany.
Lyrics:
One little, two little, three little turkeys
Four little, five little, six little turkeys
Seven little, eight little, nine little turkeys
Ten little turkeys on Thanksgiving.
6. Thanksgiving Dinner
This simple song is all about enjoying a Thanksgiving meal and is sung to the tune of I Hear Thunder.
Lyrics:
Thanksgiving (Thanksgiving)
Here it comes (Here it comes)
Turkey on the table (Turkey on the table)
Mmm, mmm, good! (Mmm, mmm, good!)
Cornbread muffins, yummy stuffing
Pumpkin pie, ten feet high
We were so much thinner
Before we came to dinner
Me oh my! Me oh my!
You could adapt the original line “We were so much thinner” to “We were very hungry” to keep the song focused on the meal rather than body size.
7. Thanksgiving Freeze Dance
Play this Thanksgiving version of Freeze Dance and have children dance, gobble, flap and hop along with the music, freezing whenever it stops.
8. Five Little Turkeys Fingerplay
The following fingerplay by Mrs Greymorning teaches children to count backwards by one.
Lyrics:
5 little turkeys standing by the door
1 waddled off, and then there were 4
4 little turkeys underneath a tree
1 waddled off, and then there were 3
3 little turkeys wondering what to do
1 waddled off and then there were 2
2 little turkeys in the noonday sun
1 waddled off and then there was 1
1 little turkey had better run away
For soon it will be Thanksgiving Day!
9. I'm Thankful
This is a sweet Thanksgiving song with a lovely tune. Play it for younger children to enjoy, or teach older preschoolers the lyrics so they can sing along.
Lyrics:
I’m thankful for the flowers.
I’m thankful for the trees.
I’m thankful for the birds.
I’m thankful for the bees.
I’m thankful for my teachers.
I’m thankful for my family.
I’m thankful for my friends.
I’m thankful that you play with me.
I’m thankful for the hugs you give.
I’m thankful for the things you do.
I’m thankful for the love you share.
I’m thankful that you are you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
10. A Turkey Dance
The first song in this compilation by The Learning Station has some fun actions to follow, making it a great choice for getting children moving and practising listening skills.
11. Ten Little Turkeys (Version 2)
This version of Ten Little Turkeys is sung to the tune of Five Little Ducks. With each verse, there is one fewer turkey.
Listen from 6 minutes 53 seconds in the video above by The Learning Station.
Lyrics:
Ten little turkeys
Sat in their pen
"Hide, turkeys, hide,"
Said the little red hen
One little turkey flew far away
But the other nine
Decided to stay.
Continue counting down using the same pattern, or listen for the varied lyrics at the end of each verse, such as:
One little turkey flew out of the gate
And when he was gone
There were eight.
12. I Am Thankful
This last fingerplay by Miss Angie teaches some simple sign language, and is all about being thankful. Sing it to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat.
Lyrics:
I am thankful for my friends and family.
I'm thankful for the food to eat.
I'm happy to be me.
These songs are a fun way to bring music and movement into your Thanksgiving theme. See the full collection of Thanksgiving activities for more details and activity ideas.
Next, explore more seasonal fun with the Pumpkin Theme Activities, Fall and Leaves Activities, or browse the full list of Preschool Themes and Activities for year-round ideas.
