Thanksgiving is the perfect time for elementary teachers to help students reflect on gratitude, learn about the holiday's history, and enjoy creative, engaging activities. Below are some easy and low-prep Thanksgiving-themed activities that you can incorporate into your classroom.
1. Gratitude Tree
What you’ll need: Construction paper, scissors, markers, and a wall or bulletin board.
Activity: Create a large tree trunk on the wall using brown paper. Give students leaf-shaped cutouts and ask them to write something they’re thankful for on each leaf. Attach the leaves to the tree to create a colorful and meaningful display.
Why it works: This activity encourages reflection, builds classroom community, and creates a visual representation of gratitude.
2. Thanksgiving Word Search and Crossword
What you’ll need: Printable Thanksgiving-themed word searches or crossword puzzles.
Activity: Provide students with puzzles that include words like "turkey," "pilgrim," and "harvest."
Why it works: These activities are fun, independent, and reinforce vocabulary and spelling skills.
Here's an easy one to get you started!
3. Turkey Craft
What you’ll need: Paper plates, construction paper, glue, and markers.
Activity: Have students create turkeys by cutting out feathers, wings, and beaks to attach to the paper plates. Let them personalize their turkeys with creative designs or even write what they’re thankful for on each feather.
Why it works: It’s a simple craft that encourages creativity and keeps little hands busy.
4. Thanksgiving Read-Alouds
What you’ll need: Thanksgiving-themed picture books (e.g., Thank You, Sarah by Laurie Halse Anderson or Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano).
Activity: Read a story aloud to your class, then have a discussion about its themes, such as kindness, history, or problem-solving.
Why it works: Read-alouds are engaging and help students connect literacy to the holiday.
YouTube Read-Aloud for Thank You, Sarah: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f72G0vdKXVk
YouTube Read-Aloud for Turkey Trouble: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH5-n20HODI
5. Pumpkin Pie Fractions
What you’ll need: Paper circles (representing pie), markers, and scissors.
Activity: Teach fractions by "slicing" the paper pies into halves, thirds, or quarters. Students can label each slice and even decorate them as pumpkin pies.
Why it works: It’s a hands-on math activity with a holiday twist!
6. Turkey Writing Prompts
What you’ll need: Writing paper or journals.
Activity: Use prompts like:
"If I were a turkey on Thanksgiving, I would…"
"Three things I’m thankful for are…"
"If I could create a new Thanksgiving tradition, it would be…"
Why it works: Writing prompts are great for fostering creativity and improving writing skills.
7. Turkey Trot Brain Break
What you’ll need: Open space and optional music.
Activity: Organize a "turkey trot" where students can move around the room or playground like turkeys. Add music for extra fun or turn it into a game by calling out different actions (e.g., "Fly like a turkey!").
Why it works: It’s a great way to get students moving and re-energized.
8. "Thankful" Chain
What you’ll need: Strips of construction paper, markers, and glue or tape.
Activity: Each student writes what they are thankful for on a paper strip. Connect the strips to make a class chain. Display it around the room or on a bulletin board.
Why it works: This simple activity emphasizes teamwork and gratitude.
Check out the wikiHow here for helpful tips on constructiong paper chains:
These easy Thanksgiving activities are sure to engage your students and create a festive atmosphere in your classroom. Most importantly, they promote gratitude, creativity, and fun during this meaningful holiday season!
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