Thanksgiving Activities: 10 Ideas For Meaningful Family Traditions

By Matthew Toone

One of the greatest challenges about this wonderful holiday is not preparing an incredible meal, consuming an excessive amount of turkey or pie, or even in trying not to groan after the fourth plate of food … the real challenge lies in both expressing and living with gratitude every day of the year.

Anne Frank, one who perhaps had the least to be grateful for, said it perfectly when she declared: “I do not think of all the misery, but of the glory that remains. Go outside into the fields, nature and the sun, go out and seek happiness in yourself and in God. Think of the beauty that again and again discharges itself within and without you and be happy.”

And yet, perhaps the real test and challenge is not even in uttering words or having thoughts of gratitude – it is living and making evident that gratitude through our actions … by helping others.

Below are listed 10 fun and meaningful Thanksgiving traditions and activity ideas for families and people everywhere:

1. Significance of the Holiday: Take at least a few minutes and remember what and why we are celebrating. Review the story and history of the holiday, and ensure it is a day that is much more than turkey, football, and pie.

2. Gratitude Table Cloth: Every year, pull out the same table cloth to use for the meal. Everyone around the table will write 3 things they are grateful for each year on the table cloth.

3. Give to the Homeless: Go down to your local homeless shelter and serve a meal to people who have so little. In addition, organize a local fund raiser at local Churches, schools, and community centers. Collect food, financial donations, clothes, toys, books, etc. – and give them as a Thanksgiving gift to local families in need.

4. Kick off the Christmas Season: As a family, set aside the night after Thanksgiving as the time to decorate the house in preparation for Christmas. Make it a family event – put up the tree, decorate the house, turn on the Christmas music, play games as a family, and have lots of candy of course!

5. Turkey Bowl: What is Thanksgiving without one, right? Make it a tradition that all the guys in the family have a football game on the morning of Thanksgiving.

6. Thanksgiving for a Family in Need: Have each child donate a little money (and/or their time) and help give Thanksgiving to a family in need. Contact the local homeless shelter, Churches, orphanages, schools, etc. – and find a family that you can give a Thanksgiving meal to.

7. Express Gratitude: Around the dinner table, before the meal starts, each person will express 3 things that they are grateful for. For younger kids, place 3 pieces of corn (symbolic of early pilgrims) or 3 pieces of candy – and they can’t eat the candies until they express 3 things they are grateful for.

Gift your family 'Thank You' cards at Thanksgiving time

8. ‘Thank You’ Cards: Everyone in the family will take a few minutes sometime that day and write thank you cards to people they are grateful for. It could be: parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, relatives, etc. Another idea for parents is to put a Name Card at every spot for the Thanksgiving meal. The outside will have the name of the person, and the inside is a small note of gratitude -tell each child or guest why they love or are grateful for them.

9. Yearly Family Thanksgiving Cards: Everyone sends their yearly family updates at Christmas … so be a little different and send yours at Thanksgiving time. In connection, express your love, gratitude, and appreciate personally to the people you send cards to.

10. Family Day: Simply make this special holiday a family day. Eat the meal together, play games as a family, watch a movie, camp out in the family room, and just spend time together.

© Matthew Toone is the founder of Tips4Families.com – a website full of helpful parenting advice, fun games and activities, traditions and holiday ideas, and tips and articles for families everywhere. Matt is also the author of Great Games! 175 Games & Activities for Families, Groups, & Children.

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