Thanksgiving is literally right around the corner, a few days away to be exact! So while you’re putting the last minute finishes on your grocery list. We have kept your dear children in mind by choosing simple yet fun arts and crafts projects to keep the children entertained this holiday. Don’t worry, you’ll become just as preoccupied as they will.
By now your refrigerator door is probably covered with your children, grandchildren’s infamous turkey handprints, Pilgrim hats, and Indian headdresses. However, you can still spend quality time with the kids, by adding a few of these projects into the mix.
Exploring Nature Arts & Crafts
Since Autumn weather is one of the best times to take in the gorgeous scenery, have the kids bundle up, grab a basket and take them on a walk around the neighborhood. While sightseeing, admire all of the different shades, colors, and varieties of leaves and trees. Have them collect an assortment of leaves, acorns, twigs, tree bark and pine cones. Upon arriving home, unpack all of the goodies and help them put together a ‘craft tree.’
For older kids, you could include a quick educational tutorial lesson, by having your kids look up which tree produces which leaf.
Reading, truly is fundamental. The more you can encourage your children to explore the imaginary world of books, they will begin to develop a healthy appreciation for learning. Even if they haven’t learned to read yet, flipping through colorful page after page will definitely leave them inspired. During Thanksgiving Holiday have them start a ‘book club’ and encourage them to read as many books (all topics included) from now until the end of the year. It’s like the summer book challenge only its for the Holiday season. If you can’t actually afford a membership or are pressed for time, the library is chock full of books that will keep your kids fully entertained.
Boy (6-7) reading book under tree
Even though October was technical ‘Cookie Month’, it’s the perfect time of year to begin to teach your kids how to bake or at least help. I don’t know exactly what it is about baking or cooking with kids, but it is ‘bonding time’ well spent. Pressed for time, but still, insist on an easy arts and crafts baking project? Land O’Lakes has pre-colored, sugar cookie dough ready to peel, bake and serve. However, if you have a little more time to dedicate, TheDecoratedCookie.com has a shortbread cookie recipe that is as easy to bake as it is to have fun prepping.
You’ll need fall shaped cookie cutters, circle shaped cutters work as well. Fall colored food coloring, Americolor (soft gel pasties) was recommended, so I’ll recommend them to you as well. A few small paint brushes, icing, fondant or frosting. Your kids will have fun the entire time.
Fried Pumpkin Seeds. Pumpkin carving is a great idea if you don’t mind the mess. So it is messy, but you can definitely get good use of those leftover pumpkins, or perhaps purchase them fresh. Either way, simply carve out all the pumpkin flesh as well as the seeds. Sort through to the seeds, rinse them and then, the option is to either bake or fry them. I hope you don’t mind them fried, here’s the recipe below.
Not only are you including your children in a fun and messy craft project, but pumpkin seeds also offer many health benefits as well.
So have fun and enjoy this Thanksgiving time spent with the kids, while keeping them entertained.
Cdp+ Designs 