Andrea FowlerCan you believe that Thanksgiving is right around the corner? Now that spooky season has officially ended, we can prepare ourselves for endless amounts of stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and turkey. This year, The Bash has compiled the best ways to get the kids excited for the holiday too!
Our best ideas for KidsGiving:
Charlie Brown Celebration
Throw A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving movie viewing party! Kids can come to the get-together as their favorite movie characters, such as Snoopy or Linus, to watch the film and eat a delicious potluck dinner of popcorn, buttered toast and more. During the party, you can pass out a Peanuts quiz for kids to take, and you can set up a T-shirt making station where the youngsters can create a Peanuts character on the shirt. To take the party to the next level, invite Snoopy as a special guest by hiring a costumed character.
A Rustic Thanksgiving
If you want to throw a Thanksgiving party that both kids and adults can enjoy together, plan a rustic Thanksgiving celebration. Decorate your home with pumpkins, pinecones (have the kids collect them outside!), white candles, sunflowers, natural cotton bolls and gold accents. The simplicity and elegance of the decorations will provide a beautiful aesthetic and an easy cleanup. Serve a fresh, simple and comforting country-style Thanksgiving meal with dishes, such as a roasted turkey, green beans, mashed sweet potatoes and apple pie. To really set the scene, hire a folk singer or acoustic guitarist for kids and adults to dance to.
Pumpkin Patch Party
Autumn means an annual trip to the pumpkin patch, so why not replicate this festive experience with a pumpkin picking party? Arrange bales of hay, gold flowers, straw and mini pumpkins around your yard to make a pumpkin patch. Set up tables with washable tablecloths and art supplies, like markers, glitter glue and stickers. Once kids arrive, they can make their way over to the pumpkin patch to pick their own pumpkin, decorate it and take it home as a party favor. For more of a farm feel, give kids a hayride around the outdoor area.
Football Fest
Organizing a Turkey Bowl to play with family or friends and watching pros throw around the football on TV are essential Thanksgiving Day traditions. For some fresh air and exercise, host a tag football party for kids. Divide the group into two teams, and have two adults, either one of the kids’ parents or a member of your own family, volunteer as captains or coaches to make sure things are running smoothly. Remind the kids that the game is touch football, not tackle. The winning team will get to help themselves to a piece of a football-shaped cake first.
Caramel Apple Bar
This adorable theme idea is from Melissa Johnson, founder of Best Friends for Frosting. Johnson says an apple-themed party will give kids a taste of fall without sacrificing the fun. “Do crafts by cutting apples and using paint and paper for stamping, and incorporate apples into the dishes, like stuffing or even apple cinnamon yogurt parfaits with cute candles for dessert,” suggests Johnson. Don’t feel like baking? No problem. You can also set up a caramel apple bar. All you have to do is cut up apple slices and fill jars with caramel and other crunchy toppings, such as sprinkles, candy corn and peanuts. Bobbing for apples is another party favorite that fits the fruity theme.
Giving Thanks Party
For a more mindful approach, Johnson has another theme idea that’s fully focused on gratitude. “This is all about teaching the kids to say thank you and to think about what they’re thankful for,” says Johnson. After all, gratitude is more than just a buzz-worthy self-care trend on Instagram. This theme reminds kids—and adults too!—to count their blessings. For a kid-friendly craft activity, set up a gratitude card-making station. “Let the kids make handwritten thank-you notes for their family, friends and everyone at the party.” If you want to add a little show and tell action, ask everyone to go around the table and share one thing they are thankful for this holiday season.
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