Thanksgiving Ideas for Kids
Many times, we adults take Thanksgiving menus completely into our own hands. As much as Christmas is about the kids, sometimes Thanksgiving is especially about the adults...gathering everyone, all ages close, but reliving the memories of our own childhoods, and enjoying the time to get together with siblings, parents, and others who have impacted and formed our lives.
The intense amount of cooking and baking involved in the occasion preclude children from extreme involvement, and sometimes, the mere task of gathering ingredients, and preparing everything on the set timetable lends itself to our preoccupation with the feast. However, kids love the chance to be included, and are capable helpers, with age appropriate tasks.
Letting the children help with the menu is a simple kid-friendly Thanksgiving idea that provides a safe activity, family interaction, and a sense of being an important part of things. There are lots of ways to go about it, but following is my approach.
1. Starting at least a month ahead of Thanksgiving, we begin to think about what dishes we love, and want to be sure to include. My kids especially love the desserts, as do I, and so our first focus is almost always on what Thanksgiving pies to make.
2. At the beginning of November, we are looking at what family arrangements are taking place, and where the gathering will be. If ours is the host home, we begin planning a full menu, making a large list on the wall. If it will be away, we talk about what we want to bring to the family gathering, and prepare a less extensive list.
3. As the dishes are formulated, a second list is begun, including the ingredients needed. The kids help in organizing this.
4. Throughout November, we assemble non-perishables from week to week, and the kids help to check them off of our lists, and organize in a designated space, which could be a cabinet, or a storage bin.
5. The kids get to include favorites that they love to eat, and/or make. There is almost always a simple fruit salad that the kids can easily help with, and my older children are now adept at baking, which makes pie preparation easy. If you don't have an older force of helpers, do what you can, letting kids stir, when able, and helping them to respect the danger of hot plates and casserole dishes when necessary.
6. Think of some hands on Thanksgiving activities for kids that will occupy them while you are intent on your biggest kitchen work times. Coloring pages, decorations, Thanksgiving videos...all of these are ways to occupy their time. Mini activity stations can provide some diversions for the prep, and for the after the meal time when adults love to visit.
