Table of Contents
10 Fun Thanksgiving Traditions to Try This Year
Thanksgiving is a time to come together with family and friends and give thanks for all the good things in our lives. Gratitude, joy, happiness, are all feelings we have as we gather for Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving is also a great time to start some fun Thanksgiving traditions with friends and family!
One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is to gather with my family and give thanks for all we have. Of course, this is a very common Thanksgiving tradition that most families do. But there are so many other traditions that you can start today!
10 Fun Thanksgiving Traditions to Try This Year
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and food. What better way to celebrate than by incorporating fun traditions into the mix? Whether your gathering is small or large, there are so many different types of traditions to add to the holiday. Here are a few fun Thanksgiving traditions to try this year:
Reflect on Gratitude
This goes beyond just stating what you are grateful for. You can create a gratitude journal for your child or even yourself. Additionally, you can give each person around the table a different word, like blessed, gather, grateful, thankful, or wish. Then as you go around the table, each person has to use the word they were given while they are reflecting on what they are grateful for.
My large family of 20 people did this over Thanksgiving this year, (we had our Thanksgiving dinner early) and it was a hit.
Watch the Parade as a Family
Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This annual parade is a cherished tradition for many families. So, grab a cup of hot cocoa and head to the streets or the coach to watch the giant balloons, floats, and performers. I heard Minnie is going to be in it this year for the very first time!
Play a Game of Football with Your Family
Do you love football? Even if you don’t, playing with your family can still be a fun tradition. Split up into teams, you can even add in the littles and play a football game that gets them involved. Trust me, they will cherish those moments their whole life.
Use Thanksgiving Crackers
Have you ever heard of a Thanksgiving cracker? These little treats is something we have been doing for years as a family. If you are unsure of what they are, you can read about their history here. But in a nutshell, crackers go way back to the 1600s They were essentially presents that the Pilgrims gifted the Native Americans called bon-bons. These bon-bons were little toys and trinkets wrapped in paper. The modern crackers were inspired by the French bon-bon, and invented by Tom Smith. The loud crack when opened is supposed to sound like fire crackles.
Make a Gingerbread House
Who said you have to wait for after Thanksgiving to get into the Holiday spirit? We often get our Christmas decorations out and up on Thanksgiving and begin to get into the spirit with Christmas music. Why not also put together a gingerbread house too?
Go For a Nature Walk
Autumn is almost over, before we know it, winter will be in full force. If you love the fall weather, Thanksgiving is the perfect day to go for a nature walk. Get out and enjoy the beautiful earth with your family.
Enjoy a Harvest Festival
Many towns host harvest festivals throughout the fall. As Thanksgiving approaches, it is the best time to attend one of these activities. There you can buy pumpkins, mums, hot cider, and more. Not to mention, going through a corn maze or riding a carriage can make you feel all autumn inspired.
Make Thanksgiving Crafts
Thanksgiving crafts are a fun way to get your children into the spirit of Thanksgiving. There are many crafts floating all over the internet these days. But one of our favorites to do each year is this easy and fun thankful turkey.
Learn More About Thanksgiving
Another Thanksgiving tradition to start while your child is young is to learn more about Thanksgiving and when it began. You can also dive deeper into other cultures, their Thanksgivings, when they are celebrated and more. There are so many interesting documentaries or videos that your kids may like, depending on their age. Here are some of our favorite videos we have liked so far:
- Thanksgiving for Kids by Homeschool Pop
- Thanksgiving Story for Kids by Kids Academy
- Kids History: The First Thanksgiving by HISTORY Channel
Spend Time Volunteering
Getting outside of ourselves and thinking about others is an important characteristic to develop. One way to help our children get out of their “main character” mentality is to spend some time volunteering. Reach out to a local shelter or church to find out what organizations or events are being held to help those in your community. Then, take your kids with you.
What are some of your favorite Thanksgiving traditions? Please share them in the comments below!
Download a free Thanksgiving coloring page and a free Thanksgiving word activity!
Are You Looking for a Fun Activity to do With Your Kids? Try my 20-page Thanksgiving Activity Pack!
(Get it for half off with coupon code Thanksgiving50 here.)
Get a free Thanksgiving coloring page here!
Thanksgiving Fun Facts
1. The first Macy’s Thanksgiving parade was held in 1924.
2. Football is a popular Thanksgiving Day tradition. The first game was played in 1876 between Yale and Princeton.
3. The first televised Thanksgiving Day parade was in 1948.
4. The national Thanksgiving turkey pardoning tradition began in 1989 with President George H.W. Bush.
5. Pumpkin pie is a popular Thanksgiving dessert. The first pumpkin pies were made with real pumpkins and spices like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
6. Turkey wasn’t always the main dish at Thanksgiving. In early America, people ate whatever meat was available, including deer, goose, or duck.
7. The first Thanksgiving was held in 1621 and lasted three days.
8. The Pilgrims didn’t wear black and white clothes. Instead, they wore bright colors like red, green, and blue.
9. The Pilgrim women didn’t wear bonnets. Instead, they wore caps with ties that went under their chins.
10. The first Thanksgiving dinner didn’t include cranberry sauce, potatoes, or pumpkin pie.
What are some of your favorite Thanksgiving facts? Could you share them in the comments below?
Thanksgiving is a time to come together with family and friends, reflect on our blessings, and give thanks for all the good in our lives.
It’s also a time for delicious food, fun traditions, and memories that will last a lifetime. So this year, why not try some new traditions?