The holidays mean time off from day care and school for your kids—and that means, at some point, you’ll be looking for ways to keep them occupied. You’re looking for something that’s easy to set up and will keep them engaged, instead of begging you for screen time or some more of that Halloween candy that never, ever seems to disappear. Here are some simple activities for kids that they’re sure to have fun with.
Turkey baster relay
This is a fun one that can involve everyone in the whole family. Get together a turkey baster and a few feathers. Use the turkey baster to puff the feathers across the room. Young kids will be delighted by the mere act of doing this, and for older kids you may want to add in some challenge such as making them skip or frog-hop to the finish line.
Make a fall bucket list
Here’s one that you can keep coming back to over and over again. Sit down with your child and talk about what they want to do this fall. Whether it’s making pumpkin pie together, going on a hay ride, making a hand turkey or roasting marshmallows over the fire, the potential for fun fall activities is nearly limitless.
Thanksgiving placemats
Why is it that only restaurants get to have fun placemats for kids? Whether you’re making your own or picking some up from Target, you can keep your kids busy and creative during Thanksgiving dinner. The placemats may be about drawing, coloring, doing mazes, etc.
Yummy pumpkin play dough
Unlike the store-bought variety, this play dough will actually be edible, so it won’t be a problem when it inevitably finds its way into your toddler’s mouth! Get some cookie cutters and utensils to create Thanksgiving-themed orange dough creations, or allow your kids to make whatever they like. Check out Smart School House for the full recipe.
Fun with leaves
There’s nothing kids love more than leaves that have fallen on the ground. Whether it’s making a leaf wreath by gluing them to a circular cutout, collecting them or jumping into a pile of them, leaves are nature’s gift to kids. Sure, you will be removing tiny remnants of leaves from your kids’ hair and your home for the next several weeks, but it’s worth it!
Turkey crafts
There are plenty of turkey-related crafts out there that you can do with kids, from making a simple hand turkey to sculpting a play dough turkey. Break out the scissors, glue, googly eyes, pipe cleaners and whatever else you have around and let your child’s imagination run wild.
Whether you’re looking for Thanksgiving activities for toddlers or a quality early childhood education, Magical Star Preschool is here to help. Our team of dedicated teachers supports all children ages six weeks through 12 years. We provide a warm, nurturing environment that makes children feel safe, inspired and appreciated. Our goal is to hone the emotional, intellectual and social skills that children will use for their rest of their lives. Contact us today to learn more about our programs.