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I am always looking for fun and simple activities to do as a family. Here are three ideas that would be perfect for a Thanksgiving activity!

The Tablecloth of Thanks Tradition

Items Needed:

  • Light-Colored, Good Quality Tablecloth
  • Fabric Markers (Won’t wash out when cleaned!)

Give everyone an opportunity to write or draw a picture of what they are thankful for that year and include the date next to each person’s entry. At future family get-togethers, pull out the tablecloth of thanks and add more entries. It can be a special way to remember things you were thankful for in the past while also giving the opportunity to give thanks for new things.

A Thanksgiving Sharing

Before your Thanksgiving meal, go around in a circle and have each person share: something they are thankful for and why.  Starting your Thanksgiving celebration with words of thanks can be a special way to teach our families the importance of expressing thanks.

Sending Thanks

Items Needed:

  • Cards or Paper
  • Envelopes
  • Postal Stamps
  • Pen/Pencil/Crayons

Write notes or have your kids draw pictures to express thanks to someone in your life. I know I try to teach my toddler to say thank you often, but it is usually encouraged when a thank you is expected because it’s the polite thing to do. I think it’s important to teach our children to appreciate and love others when it is completely unexpected. I think an unexpected thank you note is even more special to the person who receives it. Instead of snail mail, you could also take pictures of your child’s drawing and email or text it to your loved one! Also, even though this is a great activity for the month leading up to Thanksgiving, it can be implemented any time of the year!

Who or What are you thankful for today? Share in the comments!