Every year when November rolls around my mind turns to Thanksgiving. I always enjoy the time leading up to the big feast and work hard to try to focus on all the blessings in my life. I also try to incorporate a few activities that can help my boys develop a greater sense of gratitude.
Turkey Notecards
These notecards are a simple craft that my boys thought were pretty fun. We plan to use ours as place cards at the Thanksgiving table, but they would also make cute cards to mail to friends and family that you may not see this Thanksgiving!
Supplies:
- White Cardstock
- Colored paper (card stock or construction paper)
- Photos of friends and family
- Glue
- Scissors
To begin, cut cardstock to desired size, depending on how you plan to use the cards. Then cut feathers out of a variety of colored paper. I cut the feathers for my boys, but bigger kids could do this step on their own. Cut a circle out of brown paper, then cut the head out of the photo you are using. Now, assemble the turkey, gluing the pieces together and then gluing it to the white cardstock. Finally, add details—feet, background, name for place card or a message to send in the mail.
For an added personal touch write a reason you are thankful for each person on the inside of the place card.
Thanksgiving Books to Enjoy
- Thanksgiving in the Woods by Phyllis Alsdurf
- Balloons over Broadway by Melissa Sweet
- In November by Cynthia Rylant
- Thank you Sarah; The Woman That Saved Thanksgiving by Anderson and Faulkner
- Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
Other fun Thanksgiving Activities
- Read Balloons Over Broadway and then spend some time drawing and designing a balloon for the parade.
- Go on a nature scavenger hunt looking for things that you are Thankful for.
- Play the ABC Thankfulness game- Taking turns listing something you are thankful for, for each letter of the alphabet.
- Create a family gratitude journal. Buy or decorate a notebook and have family members write things they are thankful for in it throughout the year.
About the writer: Formerly a school counselor, Megan now spends her days playing trucks, reading dinosaur books, dispensing snacks and adventuring with her three little men; ages 5, 2 and 6 months.
