Last updated on December 6th, 2024 at 02:31 pm
Sitting at the kids’ table is more fun with these child-approved decor and activity ideas. You’ll entertain and delight children of all ages with these unique Thanksgiving foods and games. Encourage bonding among the kids in your family and make special memories. You’ll be the hero of this year’s Thanksgiving celebration!
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1. Have a Dress-Up Theme
A fall-themed dress-up can set a festive mood for a fun Thanksgiving. Send a card to the kids in the family with the children’s table theme. Choose a kid-friendly concept like “Turkey Table” or “Falling Leaves.” Parents can choose dress shirts and kids’ dresses featuring fall colors. Little ones can wear holiday pajamas! Everyone at dinner will admire the stylish attire and be ready for adorable family photos.
2. Make Personalized Name Tags
Design decorative name tags for each child’s place settings! Creating an artistic tag featuring a kid’s name with adorable details is easy. Cut red, orange or brown cardstock in half and then fold half the paper horizontally to create a self-standing name tag. Complete the same fold for the other half of the paper. Repeat until you have enough tags for each child.
Write or paint names on the name tags in paint or permanent marker. Now, it’s time to decorate! Add foam leaves, turkeys or pumpkins to create an imaginative 3D effect. Apply gold glitter for a bit of glam and glitz. You can even decorate with stamps and stickers. If you prefer, you can let the kids create and decorate their name tags for their place setting. Provide the supplies for a pre-meal art session.
3. Create a Tablecloth to Color
As the kids arrive at the table, inspire them to stay busy with activities. Shop for a coloring tablecloth or large Thanksgiving-themed coloring sheet that fits the entire table. Every child can color a piece of the tablecloth, creating a beautiful family mosaic and helping pass the time as everyone arrives.
Another option is having placemats to design or color. Gather construction paper or cardstock and art supplies like paper leaves and crayons. Print a Thanksgiving design or let the kids create their own art. When they are finished, you can save them to laminate later. A custom Thanksgiving placemat can become a keepsake they use for years to come.
4. Include Colorful Plates and Utensils
Immerse your kids’ table in warm fall colors! Choose a vibrant and festive Thanksgiving color for your place settings, like berry red or burnt orange. Another idea is to pick place settings with a beautiful fall color scheme, such as gold and papaya or burgundy with forest green.
Add cloth napkins to help keep food off of toddler bodysuits and baby girl dresses. Create a complete place setting with two different plate sizes and matching tumblers. Choose reusable and eco-friendly products for your Thanksgiving table, such as bamboo plates and utensils. Bamboo place settings come in a variety of festive fall colors.
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5. Offer Kid-Approved Drinks and Apps
The best part about the kids’ table is having kids-only food options! Create fun mini appetizers for the children, like bite-size pieces of cheesy monkey bread or itty bitty cheese plates with fruit and crackers. Pigs in a blanket and cream cheese celery are family Thanksgiving favorites almost any child can appreciate. Get fun and festive with mandarin pumpkins or ham and cheese pinwheels.
Many kids’ tables offer lemonade or sparkling juice, but you can take your offerings up a notch with special Thanksgiving drinks just for little ones. Cook up a crock pot of apple cider or create a hot cocoa bar with toppings like sprinkles and marshmallows. Curb cravings before dinner with pumpkin apple smoothies made with old-fashioned oats.
6. Make Delicious Kid-Friendly Sides
Serve plenty of kid-friendly side dishes, like creamy homemade macaroni and cheese or a cheesy mashed potato casserole. A winter fruit tray can be fanned out to look like turkey feathers. Crowd-pleasers like oven-roasted potatoes, buttered carrots or corn off the cob help complete a satisfying kids’ meal.
7. Set Up a Thanksgiving Book Nook
Designate a nearby area for a Thanksgiving-themed book corner. Include a few pillows and a stack of books about the holiday. When the kids finish their dinner, they can read a book while waiting for dessert.
8. Do Thanksgiving Trivia or Bingo
Waiting for dinner is the hardest part! Keep hungry kids busy with a simple Thanksgiving trivia game or bingo featuring various Thanksgiving foods. Offer small prizes for winners, like holiday-themed pencils or stickers.
9. Participate in a Thankful Tree
Many families like to share what they’re thankful for. Kids can show gratitude at their table with a “Thankful Tree.” Give each child a paper leaf to write why they’re grateful. Attach the leaves to a small centerpiece that everyone can participate in and discuss during dinner.
10. Have a Kids-Only Photo Booth
Have a small corner with fun Thanksgiving props like pilgrim hats, turkey headbands or funny glasses. Kids can take turns posing for silly photos! This is where the themed outfits and the baby and toddler girl dresses will shine, along with the adorable group photos at the table.
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Create a Memorable Kids’ Table This Thanksgiving
The kids’ table is a treasured experience that only lasts a moment in time! Make it memorable for every child you host with these fun decor, food and activity ideas. You’ll spark little ones’ imaginations and inspire chances to bond together on a special holiday.
