Thanksgiving for Kids

I think the purpose of the Thanksgiving holiday can be a bit hard to explain to young kids.   The concept of gratitude and thankfulness is a bit easier, but I like to share the meaning of the holiday with my kiddos.  And there are many cute thanksgiving ideas out there to help your family celebrate Thanksgiving!  Here are a few things I am doing this year for Thanksgiving fun! 

TELL THE STORY:
I like this version of the kids Thanksgiving story which can be used to tell small kids the purpose of Thanksgiving.

THANKSGIVING STORY FOR KIDS

Long ago, in the early 1600s, a group of people in England wanted to pray and worship God in their own way. The King controlled the Church of England, and everyone was ordered to go to the same type of church. Anyone who dared to disobey would be sent to jail.

The group of people who wanted to free the Church of England from the King's rule, making it "pure" were known as the Puritans. To escape the rule of the King and his church, around 100 men, women and children left their homeland, with their dream of religious freedom. They sailed on a ship, the Mayflower -- on a pilgrimage to the New World.

These brave travelers -- the Pilgrims -- landed in Plymouth after their long six-week journey. It was December 11, 1620. The cold winter had set in. The land was strange to them, and nothing seemed familiar.

The winter was long, cold, and very hard for the Pilgrims. Luckily, Native Americans helped by supplying them with seeds and food, teaching them about their new home, and giving them the skills needed to survive in a strange, new land.

The first year in their new home was hard for the Pilgrims. Many died. With seeds and plants received from the Native Americans, the Pilgrims planted crops. The fall harvest was a good one. To celebrate their good fortune, the Pilgrims had a feast of thanksgiving.

Many foods were cooked for the feast - wild turkey, duck, and venison were probably served, along with fish, pumpkins, squash, corn, sweet potatoes, and cranberries. Captain Miles Standish, the leader of the Pilgrims invited all of the Native Americans who had helped them so much during their first year. Everyone had a good day of thanksgiving. The feast lasted for three days!

This harvest feast in 1621 is often called the "First Thanksgiving." Over the years, the day we now celebrate as Thanksgiving became an important tradition in the United States -- a day of giving thanks for all that we have. In 1941 President Franklin Roosevelt made Thanksgiving a national holiday.

Mitchell at preschool thanksgiving festivities!

THANKFUL BAG: We found this fun activity online too and it is great to carry the reason of Thanksgiving season throughout the month! http://www.somewhatsimple.com/thanksgiving-countdown/

 DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut out each of the thankful countdown ideas below, fold them in half and place all strips in a jar or bag.

2. Every day draw out one strip and do the activity that it says.

MAKING HARDTACK: The kids made this to see how the pilgrims ate on the Mayflower. It was not too bad tasting and a very kid friendly recipe. 

THANKSGIVING BINGO:  Using this on Thanksgiving day to help keep the kids occupied while adults visit!  This is a fun and fast activity - here's the link to print it. http://crazylittleprojects.com/2013/11/thanksgiving-bingo.html

I am thankful for all of the wonderful blessings in my life - most importantly for my Savior, Heavenly Father, family and friends!  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week!!