Search Results for: blog keeping kids busy on thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Fun with Feathers

T-minus 10 days until Turkey Day. In my house the adults are running around like decapitated chickens while the kids watch and wonder what all the fuss is about. If you are hosting pint-sized out-of-town guests like we are, then the following Thanksgiving activities are your ticket to getting little ones to lend a hand. Who knew that leftover toilet paper rolls, some construction paper feathers and a box of Rice Krispies could turn a Turkey Day buffet into a kid-friendly holiday oasis? TOILET PAPER TUBE TURKEY Materials: Empty roll of toilet paper or paper towel Red, yellow, and orange … Continue reading →

Dressing Up for Thanksgiving Dinner

What outfit do you don before sitting down to gorge on your Thanksgiving feast? Some families have a tradition of wearing their Sunday best to celebrate the festive holiday meal, while others throw on their comfiest elastic waist pants and chow down like there’s no tomorrow. Then, there are those families. You know; the ones that take Turkey Day to a whole new level. Rather than sport a suit or sweats to the dinner table, they dress up like our country’s first settlers or the centerpiece of the celebratory buffet. If you are looking to spice up your turkey dinner, … Continue reading →

Fall Crafts For Kids

Once the days start getting shorter and there is a chill in the air the kids will be spending more time inside. It only takes a day or two for them to get bored of their toys and TV and start saying they are bored. It’s time to find some ways to entertain them. As a single mother I’m always looking for inexpensive things to do with Hailey, things that will keep her busy and allow us to spend time together doing something besides watch television. Fall really does lend itself to all sorts of inexpensive craft ideas. Just grab … Continue reading →

Simple Last-Minute Thanksgiving Decorations

One of the advantages of parenting a first grader is that you’re pretty much set in the seasonal decoration department. Since the beginning of the month, my daughter has brought home no less than a dozen homemade Thanksgiving-themed craft projects. Each and every handcrafted turkey, pilgrim, cornucopia and Giving Tree is prominently showcased throughout our home, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. My daughter’s art teacher went all out this year. If your children weren’t as productive in art class, or you’re just looking for easy and inexpensive ways to keep the kiddos busy on Thanksgiving morning, and … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Fun in the Kitchen

One my family’s favorite holiday traditions is making at least two or three kid-friendly recipes and allowing the youngest members of the clan to create edible masterpieces with help from mom, dad, grandma or grandpa. Each year my mom, my sister-in-law and I comb through our recipe boxes to find simple yet tasty treats the kids can make with little assistance. I always make sure that we choose at least one dessert and one main or side dish, so they can feel as though they contributed to different aspects of the meal. This year I settled on the following recipes: … Continue reading →

Fun Chocolate Thanksgiving Treats

My best friend from Hawaii and her husband will be joining us for Thanksgiving this year. I couldn’t be happier. We’re already planning a special feast and my 6-year-old is thrilled to put her first grade Thanksgiving-theme crafts on display for all to see. Given that our friends are traveling such a long way to celebrate the holiday with us, we thought it would be nice to incorporate some of their favorite foods into the meal and decor. For example, since my BFF’s husband is a chocoholic we’re planning to make a special chocolate tart to add to the dessert … Continue reading →

Easy and Affordable Homemade Thanksgiving Decorations

You don’t have to scale back on Thanksgiving decor, just so you can afford to pay for the Turkey Day spread. The following craft projects are not only easy enough for kids to create, but they’ll leave you with plenty of money to spend on an extra pumpkin pie or two: APPLE TURKEY PLACECARD Materials (for one turkey): Googly eyes Craft glue Almond (in shell) Small apple One Lifesaver candy Peanut (in shell) Paper napkin Small paper clip Construction paper Directions: Glue googly eyes to almond and let dry. Glue Lifesaver to front of apple and let dry. Glue almond … Continue reading →

Ways to Keep Kids Busy During Thanksgiving Break

My neighbor’s kids’ school gives students a week off for Thanksgiving break. My daughter gets two days (Thanksgiving and Black Friday), so I’m not scrambling for childcare or for boredom busters to keep her busy while I plan and execute our Turkey Day feast. However, my neighbor is desperately trying to find ways to keep her kids occupied while she cooks, cleans and preps for out-of-town guests. I suggested she put her kids to work. Then, I recommended that she visit our local craft store and stock up on materials to make the following Thanksgiving-theme crafts. After all, there’s no … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Fun in the Kitchen with Kids

My mother banned kids from the kitchen during holiday parties. While I understand why she made the area off limits during Thanksgiving and Christmas (when hot dishes were being removed from even hotter ovens and sharp knives were out in full force carving turkeys and hams), it’s not a tradition I continue in my own home. My 5-year-old daughter loves to cook and I would never rob her of the chance to contribute to our holiday meals by booting her from the kitchen. I impose a set of safety rules, but other than that I allow my budding chef to … Continue reading →

Homemade Thanksgiving Decorations

With the economy still in recovery mode, many people are choosing to cut back on holiday celebrations this year. Fortunately, there are a slew of ways you can celebrate Thanksgiving without breaking the bank, including making your own festive decorations. The following Thanksgiving craft projects are ideal for kids of all ages (with adult supervision). What’s more, in addition to looking great, they help teach children the importance of being grateful. MAYFLOWER GRATITUDE CENTERPIECE Materials: Cardboard milk carton (washed and dried) Brown paper bag Construction paper (in a variety of your favorite colors) Craft glue Large wood dowel Two apples … Continue reading →