Thanksgiving kids' table activities

The kids' table is a rite of passage, but it works best when it has a plan. Kids finish eating in ten minutes and the adults are just getting started. A few simple activities set out before dinner turn the kids' table into the fun table instead of the bored, under-the-chairs table. Everything below is cheap, quick to set up, and works for a range of ages so older cousins can help younger ones.

📜 Start with the table itself

• Kraft paper tablecloth. Cover the table in brown paper and put a cup of crayons in the middle. Kids draw, play tic-tac-toe and trace their hand turkeys right on the table. A kraft paper roll(paid link) is one of the best ten dollars you'll spend on the holiday.
• Printable placemats. Word searches, mazes and coloring placemats give kids something to do while waiting for food.
• Name cards they decorate. Give each child a folded card and stickers to make their own place card on arrival.
• Thankful tree centerpiece. A jar with twigs and paper leaves. Kids write or draw what they're thankful for and hang the leaves.

✂️ Easy crafts

• Handprint turkeys. Classic for a reason. Little kids trace their hands; older kids turn them into turkeys, pilgrims or football players.
• Paper plate turkeys. A paper plate, construction paper feathers and googly eyes.
• Pinecone turkeys. Collect pinecones outside before dinner and add felt feathers. Keeps kids busy for two activities in one.
• Turkey headbands. Strips of paper stapled into a crown with feathers. They wear them through dinner and look adorable in photos.
• Thanksgiving craft kits for kids(paid link) cover most of these if you don't want to gather supplies.

🎲 Quiet games at the table

• I spy, Thanksgiving edition. "I spy something orange." Works for the youngest kids.
• Gratitude alphabet. Go around the table naming something you're thankful for that starts with A, then B, then C.
• Would you rather. "Would you rather eat only pie or only mashed potatoes forever?"
• Turkey bingo. Bingo cards with things like "someone spills," "grandpa tells a story," "the dog begs."
• Card games. Uno, Go Fish or a small travel card game(paid link) fit on a crowded table.

🏃 When they need to move

After dinner, kids need to burn energy. Send them outside with a turkey scavenger hunt list: a red leaf, a pinecone, something round, something that smells nice. Indoors, try freeze dance, a pillow fort competition or a balloon "keep it off the floor" game. Older kids can run a mini Olympics for younger ones with paper medals.

🍪 Food activities

• Decorate-your-own cookies or cupcakes. Set out frosting and sprinkles for dessert time.
• Edible turkeys. An apple or donut body, pretzel stick feathers and candy eyes.
• Kids' butter making. Shake heavy cream in a jar for ten minutes until it turns to butter, then use it on dinner rolls. Kids are amazed every time.

👀 Supervision tips

Put an older cousin or teen in charge of the kids' table and give them a small job title, like "kids' table captain," and maybe a small reward. Set activities out before kids sit down. Keep markers washable and glue sticks instead of liquid glue. Have one screen-free activity pack ready for the inevitable "I'm bored" around 4 p.m.

🗂️ Age guide

Ages 3–5: kraft paper drawing, handprint turkeys, I spy and freeze dance. Ages 6–8: placemat puzzles, paper plate turkeys, bingo and scavenger hunts. Ages 9–12: card games, would you rather, running activities for the younger kids, and cooking jobs like decorating dessert. Tweens often enjoy being promoted to the adult table for one family game after dinner, so check out our Thanksgiving family games.

❓ FAQ

📚 Related guides

• Thanksgiving family games
• Friendsgiving game ideas
• Christmas party games
• All holiday guides

Updated October 22, 2026.