Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for students to learn about gratitude, sharing, kindness, and the history of this holiday. It is a perfect opportunity to engage elementary school children with activities that teach them about Thanksgivings significance while also incorporating creativity, Bringing Thanksgiving into the classroom not only enhances students’ understanding of the season but also encourages teamwork, creativity, and reflection. Here are some fun, educational, and festive Thanksgiving activities to consider for your elementary school classroom this year.
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1. Create a “Thankful Tree”
Kick off the Thanksgiving festivities by involving students in creating a “Thankful Tree.” This activity encourages children to express gratitude in a colorful and visual way. It can also be used in may grades making it a perfect Thanksgiving activity.
What you need:
- Construction paper in various colors
- Scissors
- Markers or crayons
- Tape or glue
- Large brown butcher paper
- Leaf cut outs to trace
Instructions:
- Have students trace and cut out leaf shapes from construction paper.
- Ask each child to write or draw something they are thankful for on a leaf.
- Create a tree with the butcher paper.
- Attach the leaves to the paper tree, creating a vibrant display of gratitude that can be showcased on the classroom or door.
2. Turkey Math Games
Turkey-themed math games can make learning math fun and festive! Here are a couple of ideas:
- Turkey Addition/Subtraction: Use turkey cutouts and feathers where each feather represents a number or an equation. For example, students can practice addition by matching feathers to the right turkey.
- Roll a Turkey: Using dice, students roll to collect different parts of a turkey (head, body, feathers) by rolling certain numbers or combinations. This game reinforces math concepts while adding some holiday excitement!
3. Organize a “Turkey Trot”
Promote physical activity and community spirit with a “Turkey Trot.” This fun run or walk offers an energetic break and celebrates the Thanksgiving holiday:
What you need:
- Designate a safe area for the run (school yard or nearby park)
- Encourage parents and teachers to participate or cheer on the sidelines.
- Provide small prizes or certificates for everyone to celebrate participation.
4. Host a “Harvest Feast”
Immerse students in the history of Thanksgiving by hosting a “Harvest Feast.” This activity allows children to learn about traditional Thanksgiving foods and cultures. It’s also the perfect opportunity to entourage family involvement, and invite them to prepare food with the kids and come and enjoy it with them if you can.
What you need:
- Invite students to dress up as pilgrims and Native Americans.
- Organize a potluck where children can bring traditional Thanksgiving dishes or healthy seasonal snacks to share.
- Discuss the historical significance of the foods and the feast itself.
5. Gratitude Journals
Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity for your students to be introduced to the ideas of a gratitude journal. Each day leading up to Thanksgiving they can write something they are grateful for. This will help them to reflect and encourages positive thinking.
What you need:
6. Put on A Thanksgiving Skit
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to teach students about the history of the holiday. Read a story about the first Thanksgiving and let students reenact key moments. Assign different characters (Pilgrims, Native Americans, animals, etc.) and let them create simple costumes or props.
This interactive storytelling method makes history come alive and helps students better understand the origins of Thanksgiving in a respectful and age-appropriate way. You can even have them perform for other classes or parents!
What you need:
- The First Thanksgiving stories.
- Pilgrim hat or costumes
- Feathers / Indian costume
7. Pumpkin Pie Science Experiment
Combine Thanksgiving fun with science by letting students make their own “pumpkin pie” cups. Let them observe the different ingredients, smell spices, and learn about the science behind taste and smell. Students can also vote on their favorite seasonal flavors, learning about surveys and tallying results. This activity is both educational and delicious!
8. Cornucopia Art Project
What you need:
Introduce students to the concept of the cornucopia, or “horn of plenty,” symbolizing abundance. Have students create their own cornucopia by drawing or using cutouts of fruits and vegetables, emphasizing how the holiday celebrates the harvest and gratitude for food. This project ties in both art and history!
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to foster a sense of gratitude and kindness in the classroom. These activities offer a blend of education and entertainment, ensuring that elementary school children enjoy this holiday with creativity and joy. These activities also help support Thanksgiving traditions and create lasting memories with their classmates.
Check out these other Thanksgiving ideas:
18 Fall Themed Ideas for The Elementary Classroom
I'm 40 years old and a mom of 2 three year olds and a first grader. I am also a Special education teacher. My passion has always been to help people, which is why I started this blog.