A Feast of Thanksgiving Classroom Learning Activities
Posted by Jenna Cicero on Nov 2nd 2022
As we leave October behind and enter the month of November, we can begin to see how quickly the holiday season is approaching. Do you remember when you first learned about Thanksgiving, the pilgrims, and giving thanks during your school years?
It’s a season of togetherness and warmth—connected with so much meaning. What makes this time of year even more special is when a teacher or parent can incorporate holiday-themed activities into kids’ days and engage them with seasonal learning.
With Thanksgiving around the corner, we’re setting the table with meaningful and fun classroom Thanksgiving activities that will inspire students to remember what they’re most grateful for.
Gobble Up These Thanksgiving Classroom Craft Ideas
The first craft idea involves red and yellow paint, small “turkey body” classroom cutouts, glue/tape, and a Thanksgiving poem. Students will place their hands in the paint to make their own handprint on the poem page. Then, after it dries, have them glue or tape the turkey body over the handprint so the handprint looks like the turkey’s tail feathers. Feel free to use this poem as an example:
“This isn’t just a turkey, as you can plainly see.
I made it with my hand, which is a part of me.
It comes with lots of love, especially to say...
I hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving Day!”
The second craft idea involves simple coffee filters, washable markers, and a spray bottle with water. Have students color on the filters with the markers, then help them spray the filters with water. Afterwards, wait for them to dry. Then attach a turkey cut-out to the dried filter for a fun and adorable art project that’s just waiting to be featured on the fridge at home—or even your classroom bulletin board!
If you’re interested in more great activities, check out our Carson Dellosa ‘A Classroom to Be Thankful For’ YouTube Playlist with ideas from teachers from around the country!
More Fun DIY Thanksgiving Activities
While Thanksgiving may be known more for its food and theme of giving thanks to loved ones, it’s also a great time of year to participate in some fun DIY activities! Reinforce phonics and reading skills in young children by having them work together to create a class cookbook. Ask students what some of their favorite Thanksgiving foods are, and have them write down a simple recipe to share with their classmates. Compile all the recipes together into one book, and send each student home with a copy to share with their families!
Another great idea for a fun DIY activity is to have students make a turkey out of everyday household items! For example, create this cute toilet paper roll turkey by taking some googly eyes, glue, and a cardboard toilet paper roll to make the body. Afterwards, have children cut out construction paper feathers, write down what they are thankful for on each one, and attach them to the turkey to display to family and friends!
Decorate Your Learning Space With Fall Classroom Décor That’s Sweet as Pumpkin Pie
Shop our cornucopia of fall and Thanksgiving classroom decorations ready to inspire and motivate students throughout the season. From cute cut-outs like our fall classroom cutouts to Pumpkins Dazzle Stickers, Turkey Stickers, and Apples & Acorns Straight Bulletin Board Borders, we have tons of festive Thanksgiving classroom décor and teaching supplies to dress up your learning space with seasonal spirit.
Practice Gratitude With FREE Thanksgiving Printables
Celebrate the start of the season of giving with fun (and free!) activities for the classroom or home. These free Thanksgiving worksheets cover a variety of subjects while integrating Thanksgiving-themed activities to help develop friendships, improve in select subject areas, and so much more. From Thanksgiving bingo to turkey craftivities, there are tons of fall classroom activities to accompany any Thanksgiving lesson plan.
Thanksgiving is a time of year to show thanks and gratitude towards others for all they have done for us. It’s also the perfect time to create a learning space that is accepting of others while still being a place for children to develop their education. Have a happy Thanksgiving full of good food, and more importantly, good learning moments!