An indefatigable appetite for seconds and thirds; the ability to eat one piece of every type of pie; the energy to burn it all off over a rousing game of tag football outside. Ah, to be a kid at Thanksgiving again!
When the kids’ table works correctly, Thanksgiving is a true joy. Keep little hands busy; give them edible (and potable) projects. Pro tip: To get some vegetables into small children, set out little cups of crudités before the main event! (A hungry kid will eat nearly anything.)
OK, on to the tried-and-true turkey talk about some of the most fun ways to keep kids happy (and at the table!) through the Thanksgiving meal.
1. Printable Thanksgiving Activity Sheets
There’s a reason restaurants use the crayon and worksheet strategy to keep kids busy when they’re at the table. We’ve taken a page from their book (quite literally!) and added a few of our own for some fun pages that may just keep the little ones busy long enough for everyone (themselves included) to enjoy the meal. Print out these cute sheets—a kid-friendly collection including everything from word search, mazes and coloring pages to bingo and cootie catchers. Set the kids up with the printed pages, a bucket of crayons, and little bit of table space to spread everything out, then let them get started. (And don’t forget stickers for the table!)
2. Board Games
Bring a little friendly competition to the table (and a good reason for staying put!) Our Williams Sonoma sister brand Mark and Graham has a wonderful collection of board games and cards for kids of all ages. Personalized and effortlessly chic, the games make a wonderful host gift if you’re spending Thanksgiving away from home as well as a fun family heirloom if you’re celebrating chez vous.
3. Caramel Apple Kit
Ideal for those trying to while away an entire day of turkey time or trying to build in adult time prior to pie mania, this caramel apple kit is always a hit. The kit is replete with sprinkles, peanuts and 6 birchwood sticks. All you need are the apples. Artisan confectioners made our caramel by hand in copper kettles. It’s a buttery treat.
4. Gratitude Tree
Mail paper “leaves” to the kids in advance of the holiday and have them help you decorate a Thanksgiving tree reflecting what they’re grateful for, then set it on their table. One word on each leaf should do it. (This is a Zoom holiday trick that works, too, if any parties need to be virtual!)
5. Thanksgiving DIY Cookie-Decorating Kit
Let the big kids help the littles with this Thanksgiving DIY cookie-decorating kit. We love that it keeps the oven completely unoccupied. A dozen sugar cookie leaves and turkeys await their sweater weather accessories (the included three bags of icing and four of decorating sugars.) This is a surefire hit with the toddler set, in particular. Consider lining the table with a roll of butcher paper first, then any errant icing dribbles can easily removed from the table before the main event.
6. Breakable Pumpkin Pie
The promise of being able to take a small mallet to this breakable pumpkin pie might just build enough excitement to get kids to stay at the table until the very end of the meal—especially if you give them first crack (literally!). Crafted of crisp dark chocolate molded in the shape of a pumpkin pie, the entirely edible artisanal confection offers a spectacular and memorable finish to your holiday celebration.