Thanksgiving is a time of exploring gratitude, family traditions and seasonal changes. Here are some simple activities, songs and stories to share with your children, suitable for class and home.
There’s a printable of these activities in this post, and also some printable size sequencing cards!
🎨 Process Art and Sensory Play
Here are some ideas for Thanksgiving-themed crafts and sensory play:
1. Thankful Handprints
Children make painted handprints and, once dry, they can share things they are grateful for. The teacher or parent then writes one idea on each finger.
2. Shape Turkey
Provide children with a selection of pre-cut shapes such as circles, triangles and rectangles. They build their own turkeys by using a large circle for the body, a smaller circle for the head, triangles for the beak and simple rectangles or ovals as feathers.
This activity is wonderfully open-ended and helps children recognise shapes while encouraging creativity.
3. Handprint Feathers Turkey
Trace around each child’s hand or make painted handprints and cut them out once dry. Children then glue their colourful handprints behind a simple brown turkey body shape to create bright tail feathers.
This is a great craft for developing their fine motor cutting skills.
4. Feather Collage
Glue feathers, fabric strips or paper scraps onto simple turkey outlines to create colourful tail feathers.
5. Make Scented Playdough
Make a batch of easy, no-bake playdough and add a lovely autumn or Thanksgiving scent. Here are some safe, food-based options you can mix directly into homemade dough:
- Cinnamon
- Pumpkin spice
- Nutmeg
- Apple spice (a pinch of apple pie spice mix)
- Vanilla
- Cocoa
- Maple (maple extract)
- Gingerbread
- Chocolate chip (cocoa + vanilla)
6. Thanksgiving Sensory Bin
Set up a tub filled with corn kernels, pumpkin seeds and leaves, along with scoops, spoons and cups. Children can explore the textures, pour and scoop the materials and enjoy simple sensory play.
🎵 Music and Movement
Here are some fun theme songs and remakes of traditional songs, all by The Kiboomers, followed by movement game ideas:
1. If You’re Thankful and You Know It
Teach your children this adaptation of the traditional tune If You’re Happy and You Know It, with lyrics like If you’re thankful and you know it clap your hands; stomp your feet; shout I am; do all three.
2. The Turkeys Go Waddling One By One
Sung to the tune of The Ants Go Marching One by One, this fun version is a great song for developing rhythm and number sense.
3. 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!
4. Thanksgiving Freeze Dance
Play this version of the popular music game Freeze Dance and encourage children to follow the actions and dance, gobble, flap and hop, until the music stops and they have to freeze!
5. Egg and Spoon Race
Children love this simple movement game. Have them race, or take part in a relay, carrying turkey (or chicken) eggs on a spoon and trying not to drop them.
To avoid any mess, use small foam balls or, at the very least, boiled eggs. You could also try a variation where children carry corn kernels on a spoon or in a small cup.
6. Turkey Tag
For this fun chasing game, give each child a light scarf or ribbon to tuck loosely into the back of their waistband — this becomes their “turkey feather”. One or two children are the “farmers” and try to gently pull out the feathers.
Turkeys move around by waddling, flapping or tiptoeing, trying to keep their feathers safe. When a turkey loses their feather, they step out to the side and do a short action (such as three turkey flaps or a quick waddle on the spot) before rejoining the game with their feather tucked back in.
Keep the play area spacious and the game slow and gentle so it stays fun and cooperative.
📚 Literacy and Stories
There is such a lovely collection of stories below that I have handpicked, all about gratitude and kindness:
1. I am Thankful
This short story by Sonali Fry is a great introduction to this theme. It has lots of simple and practical examples of everyday things that we may be grateful for.
2. Gratitude Circle Time
After reading this book or playing the read-aloud, invite the children to spend a moment in quiet reflection, thinking about the things they are most grateful for. They can then share one idea each of what they are grateful for, such as warm clothes or a pet.
Give each child a small piece of paper or card to draw their idea. Write their words underneath with a marker and then display all the pictures together to create a class “wall of gratitude”.
3. Thankful Fur You!
Cannoli and the other dogs are worried that their owners are going to cancel Thanksgiving. They decide to be extra good and show how thankful they are.
4. Category Game
Play a category game to build vocabulary and improve memory. The category is “Our Thanksgiving Table”.
Go around the group – or go back and forth with your child – and invite each person to add one type of food they would like to see on their Thanksgiving table. Each word can only be used once, and if someone repeats a food, they must think of an alternative.
5. Taylor The Thankful Turkey
Taylor The Thankful Turkey by Sonica Ellis
Taylor visits all his neighbours to thank them and bring them a gift from his garden. His kindness becomes infectious, and he inspires others to follow in his footsteps.
6. Who Will Bring the Turkey?
In this cute story by Julia Inserro, Mouse volunteers to bring the turkey to this year’s Thanksgiving meal in the woods, but Turkey does not want to be chased and caught. Instead, he is invited to attend the meal as a guest!
💬 Dramatic Play, Social-Emotional and Maths
1. Turkey & Pumpkin Size Sequencing
Print the sequencing cards below and have the children place them in order from smallest to biggest, and then from biggest to smallest.
2. Thanksgiving Feast Pretend Play
Set up a simple dramatic play area with play foods, placemats, napkins and a few basic cooking props. Children can prepare, serve and share a pretend Thanksgiving meal, practising social skills, turn-taking and rich language as they role-play together.
3. Harvest Market Role Play
Set up a small market stall with baskets of pretend produce and a simple scale. Children take turns being the buyer and the seller, weighing the fruit and vegetables, filling baskets and exchanging play money.
This encourages practical maths skills and social interaction as they negotiate and role-play together.
4. Family Traditions Discussion
Invite children to share simple traditions or routines their families enjoy at this time of year, whether or not they celebrate Thanksgiving. They might talk about cooking a favourite dish, going for a walk, visiting relatives or enjoying a special activity at home. This helps children recognise and value their own experiences while learning about the similarities and differences within the group.
I hope you’ll enjoy trying some of these ideas. Here is a full list of Preschool Themes and Activities for year-round ideas.
📄 Want a quick reference sheet of these activities? Download the free printable below and keep it in your planning binder.
Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Preschool & Kindergarten
Notes
Thanksgiving is a time of exploring gratitude, family traditions and seasonal changes. Here are some simple activities, songs and stories to share with your children, suitable for class and home.
🎨 Process Art and Sensory Play
Here are some ideas for Thanksgiving-themed crafts and sensory play:
1. Thankful Handprints
Children make painted handprints and, once dry, they can share things they are grateful for. The teacher or parent then writes one idea on each finger.
2. Shape Turkey
Provide children with a selection of pre-cut shapes such as circles, triangles and rectangles. They build their own turkeys by using a large circle for the body, a smaller circle for the head, triangles for the beak and simple rectangles or ovals as feathers.
This activity is wonderfully open-ended and helps children recognise shapes while encouraging creativity.
3. Handprint Feathers Turkey
Trace around each child’s hand or make painted handprints and cut them out once dry. Children then glue their colourful handprints behind a simple brown turkey body shape to create bright tail feathers.
This is a great craft for developing their fine motor cutting skills.
4. Feather Collage
Glue feathers, fabric strips or paper scraps onto simple turkey outlines to create colourful tail feathers.
5. Make Scented Playdough
Make a batch of easy, no-bake playdough and add a lovely autumn or Thanksgiving scent. Here are some safe, food-based options you can mix directly into homemade dough:
- Cinnamon
- Pumpkin spice
- Nutmeg
- Apple spice (a pinch of apple pie spice mix)
- Vanilla
- Cocoa
- Maple (maple extract)
- Gingerbread
- Chocolate chip (cocoa + vanilla)
6. Thanksgiving Sensory Bin
Set up a tub filled with corn kernels, pumpkin seeds and leaves, along with scoops, spoons and cups. Children can explore the textures, pour and scoop the materials and enjoy simple sensory play.
🎵 Music and Movement
Here are some fun theme songs and remakes of traditional songs, all by The Kiboomers, followed by movement game ideas:
1. If You're Thankful and You Know It
Teach your children this adaptation of the traditional tune If You're Happy and You Know It, with lyrics like If you're thankful and you know it clap your hands; stomp your feet; shout I am; do all three.https://youtu.be/wKzf5nDg1dM
2. The Turkeys Go Waddling One By One
Sung to the tune of The Ants Go Marching One by One, this fun version is a great song for developing rhythm and number sense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hup7n1BZMs
3. 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!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu7b3ieqQdk
4. Thanksgiving Freeze Dance
Play this version of the popular music game Freeze Dance and encourage children to follow the actions and dance, gobble, flap and hop, until the music stops and they have to freeze!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn5O_GWfTts
5. Egg and Spoon Race
Children love this simple movement game. Have them race, or take part in a relay, carrying turkey (or chicken) eggs on a spoon and trying not to drop them.
To avoid any mess, use small foam balls or, at the very least, boiled eggs. You could also try a variation where children carry corn kernels on a spoon or in a small cup.
6. Turkey Tag
For this fun chasing game, give each child a light scarf or ribbon to tuck loosely into the back of their waistband — this becomes their “turkey feather”. One or two children are the “farmers” and try to gently pull out the feathers.
Turkeys move around by waddling, flapping or tiptoeing, trying to keep their feathers safe. When a turkey loses their feather, they step out to the side and do a short action (such as three turkey flaps or a quick waddle on the spot) before rejoining the game with their feather tucked back in.
Keep the play area spacious and the game slow and gentle so it stays fun and cooperative.
📚 Literacy and Stories
There is such a lovely collection of stories below that I have handpicked, all about gratitude and kindness:
1. I am Thankful
This short story by Sonali Fry is a great introduction to this theme. It has lots of simple and practical examples of everyday things that we may be grateful for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1GkFwrBB_Q
2. Gratitude Circle Time
After reading this book or playing the read-aloud, invite the children to spend a moment in quiet reflection, thinking about the things they are most grateful for. They can then share one idea each of what they are grateful for, such as warm clothes or a pet.
Give each child a small piece of paper or card to draw their idea. Write their words underneath with a marker and then display all the pictures together to create a class “wall of gratitude”.
3. Thankful Fur You!
Cannoli and the other dogs are worried that their owners are going to cancel Thanksgiving. They decide to be extra good and show how thankful they are.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZvPAhiZA1o
4. Category Game
Play a category game to build vocabulary and improve memory. The category is “Our Thanksgiving Table”.
Go around the group – or go back and forth with your child – and invite each person to add one type of food they would like to see on their Thanksgiving table. Each word can only be used once, and if someone repeats a food, they must think of an alternative.
5. Taylor The Thankful Turkey
Taylor The Thankful Turkey by Sonica Ellis
Taylor visits all his neighbours to thank them and bring them a gift from his garden. His kindness becomes infectious, and he inspires others to follow in his footsteps.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qWUSbrfXzw
6. Who Will Bring the Turkey?
In this cute story by Julia Inserro, Mouse volunteers to bring the turkey to this year's Thanksgiving meal in the woods, but Turkey does not want to be chased and caught. Instead, he is invited to attend the meal as a guest!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls-qFwUbeAc
💬 Dramatic Play, Social-Emotional and Maths
1. Turkey & Pumpkin Size Sequencing
Print the sequencing cards below and have the children place them in order from smallest to biggest, and then from biggest to smallest.
Download the Thanksgiving sequencing cards
2. Thanksgiving Feast Pretend Play
Set up a simple dramatic play area with play foods, placemats, napkins and a few basic cooking props. Children can prepare, serve and share a pretend Thanksgiving meal, practising social skills, turn-taking and rich language as they role-play together.
3. Harvest Market Role Play
Set up a small market stall with baskets of pretend produce and a simple scale. Children take turns being the buyer and the seller, weighing the fruit and vegetables, filling baskets and exchanging play money.
This encourages practical maths skills and social interaction as they negotiate and role-play together.
4. Family Traditions Discussion
Invite children to share simple traditions or routines their families enjoy at this time of year, whether or not they celebrate Thanksgiving. They might talk about cooking a favourite dish, going for a walk, visiting relatives or enjoying a special activity at home. This helps children recognise and value their own experiences while learning about the similarities and differences within the group.
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