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This annual
holiday is
observed as
a day to
commemorate
the
Pilgrim's
harvest of
1621, to
give thanks
for
blessings
great and
small, and
to have
fun! The
festivities
need not be
elaborate…just
an
opportunity
for some fun
quality
time. One
important
thing to
remember
when playing
games is
that all the
children
should be
"rewarded"
equally for
participating
or winning.
Visit the "Games
for Kids"
section of
our Party
Ideas. Many
of these
classic
games can be
converted to
tie in to a
Thanksgiving/harvest
theme with a
simple name
or prop
change. Try
one of the
following:
- "Pin
the Tail
on the
Donkey"
– "Pin
the
Wattle
on the
Turkey"
-
"Duck,
Duck,
Goose" –
"Turkey,
Turkey,
Stuffing"
- "Hot
Potato"
– "Hot
Turkey"
(with a
stuffed
animal
turkey)
-
"Musical
Hats" –
"Musical
Pilgrim
Hats"
-
"Bingo"
– use
candy
corn as
game
pieces
-
"Dress
Up
Relay" –
Use
simple
scarecrow,
Native
American
or
Pilgrim
costumes.
-
"Ring
Toss" –
"Ring
around
the
Gourd"
(assign
different
point
values
to
different
sizes of
gourds,
pumpkins
or dried
Indian
corn.
-
"Three
Legged
or Sack
Races" –
Add an
autumnal
touch by
creating
an
obstacle
course
using
pumpkins,
corn
stalks,
and
bales of
hay.
-
Turkey
Calling
Contest
– Host a
turkey
calling
contest,
complete
with
lots of
squawking,
flapping,
wattle
shaking,
and
pecking.
Give
each
participant
a prize
with a
fun
distinction:
"loudest
turkey",
"most
authentic",
"most
likely
to be
spared",
"cutest
turkey",
etc.
This
activity
can also
be
turned
into a
relay
race
with the
class
split
into two
teams.
Loud,
but fun!
(Ages
4-Adult)
-
Turkey
Bowling
- The
turkey
will
definitely
be
tenderized
after
participating
in this
game!
Use a
frozen
turkey
in place
of a
bowling
ball
(one
that
comes
packaged
with a
handle
attached)
in a
size
that is
appropriate
for the
age of
the
children.
The
frozen
turkey
is
hurled
at a set
of
bowling
pins
(use the
real
thing,
tall
wooden
blocks
or
plastic
milk
bottles
filled
with
stones).
One
parent
helper
can
reset
the pins
after
each
turn.
This
game is
a big
hit with
every
crowd!
(Ages
5-Adult)
-
Balloon
Popping
Contest
– Divide
the
children
into two
equal
groups.
Place
two bags
of
inflated
harvest
colored
Balloons
about 25
yards
away .
These
balloons
should
be
over-inflated
to make
popping
easier.
At the
sound of
a bell,
the
first
two
relay
contestants,
one from
each
team,
run to
the bag,
and
remove
one
balloon.
Each
must sit
on it
until it
pops.
Once the
balloon
pops,
the
players
run back
to the
starting
line and
tag the
next
player
in line.
The
first
team to
complete
the
course
wins. If
you have
children
who are
afraid
of the
sound of
popping
balloons,
offer a
grown-up
stand-in.
Not a
quiet
game…but
a
guaranteed
favorite!
(Ages
4-Adult)
- Pass
the Corn
– Divide
the
children
into two
teams
and have
them
form two
lines.
You will
need two
cobs of
dried
Indian
corn. At
the
signal
to "go",
the
corncob
is to be
passed
from
child to
child.
The
catch is
that
they can
use any
part of
their
bodies
except
their
hands.
If the
corn
touches
the
ground
at any
time, it
must go
back to
the
beginning
of the
line
again.
Whichever
team
manages
to get
the corn
to the
end of
the line
first
wins the
game.
The corn
can also
be used
in a
relay,
with the
kids
putting
the corn
between
their
knees,
and
racing
"crab"
style".
(Ages
4-10)
- If
the
games
can be
played
outside,
"hay"
fights
are
great
fun!
Other
Activates:
-
Create
Pilgrim
hats
that
double
as snack
holders.
For each
Pilgrim
hat, use
one
black
Stadium
Cup,
one 6"
circle
of black
cardboard,
a gold
or
yellow
"buckle"
made
from
cardstock
paper,
and tape
or
sticky
pads.
Fill the
pilgrim
hat with
a dry
snack
(popcorn,
pretzels,
wrapped
candies).
Attach
the
circle
base and
buckle.
They
make
great
table
decorations!
-
Make feather
Native
American
headdress
napkin
rings to
add
glorious
fall
color to
your
table.
Cut
toilet
paper
tubes
into 1
½" wide
rings.
Paint
designs
in
festive
fall
colors
on the
"rings".
Add
construction
paper or
real
feathers.
Allow
each child
to make
a set
for
his/her
family
if time
permits.
-
Create
personalized
thanksgiving
placemats.
They can
be used
at the
party
and then
sent
home for
Thanksgiving
dinner.
Use
Tissue
Leaves
or
leaves
cut from
construction
paper.
Give
each
child
8-10
leaves,
and have
them
write
one
thing
that
they are
thankful
for on
each
leaf.
Glue the
leaves
to a
12" x
18"
piece of
paper
and
laminate.
Clear
contact
paper
also
works
well for
the
purpose
of
"laminating".
- Make
turkeys
out of
pinecones.
Add
colorful
feathers,
wiggly
eyes,
and cut
and bend
pipe
cleaners
for the
beak,
wattle,
and
feet.
- Use
uncooked
popcorn
to
create
beautiful
fall
mosaics.
The
popcorn
can be
painted
after
the glue
dries if
desired.
-
Cover
tables
with
orange
Flat
Paper.
Add
baskets
of
markers
to the
tables,
and
allow
the
children
to draw
on the
decorative
table
covers
if they
finish
other
activities
faster
than
anticipated.
This
activity
is
always a
hit!
Make
Placecards
for each
guest. This
can be done
as an
activity the
day of the
party, or
can be
completed
ahead of
time. A
charming and
personal
touch on any
table! Try
one of the
following,
or create
something
with special
meaning to
you:
"Thankful
for You
Because"
Bags: These
can double
as an
activity and
a placecard
on the
tables.
You'll need:
-
Brown
paper
lunch
sacks
-
Green
paint
pen
-
Raffia
-
Tissue
Leaves
in
autumn
colors
-
Plenty
of small
pieces
of paper
(approx.
3" x 4"
size).
Cut the
top of each
sack in a
decorative
manner (use
pinking
shears, or
regular
scissors to
trim the
size, and
give the bag
a little
character).
Glue one
autumn leaf
to the
center of
each bag at
an angle.
Tie raffia
into little
bows, and
glue one to
the base of
each leaf
with a hot
glue gun.
Write the
name of each
child on the
bags (one
name per
bag) with
the green
paint pen.
Place small
pieces of
paper in a
basket along
with pens
and markers.
Have
each person
write a note
or draw a
picture
(little
ones) of why
they are
thankful for
each person.
This can be
done in the
days
preceding
the party.
Drop notes
into bags.
Allow time
during the
party for
the children
to read
their
notes…a
great
self-esteem
building
activity.
Pilgrim
Placecards:
You'll need:
-
Black
paint
pen
-
Wooden
clothespin
-
Black
pipe
cleaners
-
Bottle
cap
-
Construction
paper
- Glue
Use
fine-tip
colored
markers to
draw faces
on the
"head" of
each
clothespin.
Color the
rest of the
clothespin
black. Just
below the
head, wrap a
black pipe
cleaner
around the
neck, to
create the
arms. Wrap
another pipe
cleaner
around the
fee, to make
the Pilgrim
stand up in
the bottle
cap. Glue on
a black
construction
paper hat
(complete
with yellow
buckle), and
a white
paper vest.
Cut nametags
from white
or yellow
construction
paper, and
attach to
the
pilgrim's
arms. They
look really
cute with
the nametag
held above
the
pilgrim's
head.
Mayflower
Placecards:
You'll need:
-
Terra
cotta
colored
Sculpey®
modeling
compound
-
Toothpicks
-
White
paper
plate
- Fill
with
M&M's®
or mini
candy
bars in
fall
colors
Mold clay
into boats
similar in
shape to the
Mayflower.
Cut a
good-sized
sail out of
the edge of
a white
paper plate.
Write the
names of
each child
on the sails
(one name on
each sail).
Poke two
holes in the
center
of each sail
(vertically),
and use the
toothpick as
the mast.
Boats should
be
approximately
4-5" in
length when
completed.
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