Preschoolers typically don't have many specific activities for Thanksgiving unlike Easter and Christmas. However, you can teach them these Thanksgiving preschool activities. They are also a great way to keep your preschool class happy and occupied. Get the kids to practice and learn these fun and creative Thanksgiving preschool activities in your preschool classroom.
1. Thanksgiving Cardboard Turkey
Have your preschoolers make these in different colors with this helpful video! Get your cardboard, glue, and funny googly eyes out for this one! You’ll need to prepare this a bit for the little artists, and then they can put their turkeys together.
Learn more: Pinterest
2. Pumpkin Pie Spinner
Gratitude is the major theme of Thanksgiving. Have your preschool class create this fun pumpkin pie spinner and think about what they are grateful for in this season. Follow this guide and craft this with Scallop-edged scissors, A paper plate, and cardboard.
Learn more: Parents
3. Paper Plate Turkey
Gobble, Gobble! This is an inexpensive, but entertaining project for your class. are all you need are Googly eyes, Glue, Scissors, Paper plates, Paint. However, make sure you assist the kids with cutting feathers and facial features using this step-by-step tutorial here.
Learn more: Pinterest
4. Gratitude Rocks
The children will learn kindness and sharing in a fun way with this project! Here's the perfect opportunity to put your preschooler's colorful skills to good use. You can have your preschool class paint simple and thankful messages on their rocks and exchange them among themselves. Here’s a simple guide for this craft!
Learn more: Youtube
5. Tissue Paper Turkey
Have your preschoolers make their own Thanksgiving turkeys using just: Tissues, Cardstock, Glue, Paint, Scissors. This activity helps to develop preschoolers' fine motor skills. Ripping, scrunching, and rolling the paper helps to strengthen their hand muscles and hand-eye coordination. There’s a simple tutorial to make this turkey here.
Learn more: Youtube
6. Turkey Tag
This Thanksgiving theme game is a great exercise for your preschool class. Have them chase each other and attach clothespins to each other's clothes. The last one standing wins. Make a clothespin turkey with your preschoolers and use it to make the game more festive. Here’s a guide for crafting and playing.
Learn more: Let's Get Together
7. Thanksgiving Turkey Dance
Get your class dancing, moving, and giggling with this game. All you’ll need is a music player. Play some fun music for the children, and have them move like different types of turkeys. Call out "big turkey," "small turkey," "fat turkey," etc.
Learn more: Pexels
8. Do-A-Dot Turkey
Your preschoolers will be proud to show off this craft on the fridge when the family comes around for Thanksgiving. Have your class craft this colorful turkey project with Dot markers, Cardstock, Paper, and Scissors. “The Resourceful Mama” will show you how to make the Do-A-Dot Turkey in her guide.
Learn more: The Resourceful Mama
9. Turkey Handprint
Nothing is more fun for a preschooler than messing around with colors. Have your preschoolers squeal with joy as they dip their hands into the paint. Walk them through each step to minimize the mess and ensure you use washable paint for the project too! This video explains the project perfectly.
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10. Thanksgiving Garland
Make this garland with your preschoolers to decorate the class, or have them take it home. Either way works! Have the kids write the things they’re grateful for, and it’ll serve as a warm reminder for them! Here’s a simple guide to making these beautiful garlands.
Learn more: Youtube
11. Popsicle Scarecrows
This fun Popsicle Scarecrow is great for the fall season! Recycle the popsicle sticks lying around to make this funny scarecrow! This is a more complicated project, so ensure you work with your preschoolers on this craft project. Your preschoolers can proudly display this in class or at home. This video will guide you through safely making this scarecrow.
Learn more: Youtube
12. Handcraft Turkeys
Make this homemade Thanksgiving turkey with your preschoolers. Get started with some Cardboard, Glue, Googly eyes etc. They'll be so intrigued and thrilled, especially when they trace the shapes of their hands on the cardboard. It won't take more than 20 minutes to complete this enjoyable task.
Learn more: Pinterest
13. Paper Bag Turkeys
Make this paper bag turkey with your little learners. It can double as a puppet, so the kids could even do short puppet shows after they're done crafting. The project takes less than 20 minutes per bag, so grab your paper bag and get started using this guide.
Learn more: Youtube
14. Turkey Headbands
Liven up the class by having your preschool class wear these cute and funny headbands. You can make them in less than thirty minutes. The kids would have a great crafting session as well as a new headband to play with later. Use this tutorial to make this funny headband.
Learn more: Youtube
15. Turkey Rings
Your preschool class will be glad to get festive self-made rings. Watch them show off their rings to their peers and parents as well. This might take a little longer than other projects because you need to work closely with each child. Follow this guide closely to create these fuzzy rings.
Learn more: I Heart Crafty Things
16. Painted Pinecones
Pinecones are abundant now that autumn has arrived. Use all the pinecones you've gathered this season for this creative project. You can construct a cute pinecone turkey with your preschoolers using: Paint, Pompoms, Googly eyes.
Learn how to create it from this video.
Learn more: Youtube
17. Stuffed Turkeys
"Hunting" games are always a crowd favorite with preschoolers. They get to run around with a goal. Because of this, some of the most anticipated children’s games during the holidays are the Easter Egg Hunt and the Turkey Hunt. Craft a stuffed turkey, hide it, and have the kids search for it.
Learn more: Youtube
18. Thanksgiving Pumpkin Hunt
This activity does not require much preparation. Simply hide a bunch of fake pumpkins, give each child a bag, and off they go! Count the pumpkins with them. The one with the most pumpkins wins. The kids will be excited and get some good exercise too!
Learn more: Pexels
19. Thanksgiving Word Search
Develop the preschoolers' creativity and problem-solving skills with these festive themed puzzles. Have the kids search for our words relating to Thanksgiving. You can do it with puzzle templates here.
Learn more: Puzzles to Print
20. Thanksgiving Playdough Turkey
I've always like using playdough. It's really satisfying to me and the kids. Use this simple method and get a quality kit to make a cute Thanksgiving playdough turkey.
Learn more: Mama Papa Bubba
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