I love Thanksgiving, but it’s not my kids’ favorite holiday by a long stretch. When you think about it from a kid’s perspective, who can blame them? Thanksgiving sits right in the middle of Halloween (candy, costumes, and more candy) and Christmas (gifts, sweets, and more gifts). I’m confident they’ll eventually come to appreciate the time they get to spend with family, and they’ll grow to understand the power of thankfulness in their lives. They’re works in progress!
Of course, you and I know being with family and friends is more valuable than any candy haul or mountain of gifts. We understand that gratitude is a character trait that leads to greater joy. But try telling that to an 8-year-old who doesn’t like turkey, runs from dirty dishes, and just wants to get the day over with so the Christmas countdown can begin.
Whether you have a kiddo who would rather sleep through Thanksgiving or one who is the first to wake up and help baste the turkey, there are small things moms can do to make the day more festive and kid-friendly. That’s where our Thanksgiving This or That printable comes in. After you’ve used something like our Thanksgiving Story Cards to put the focus on being thankful, switch to a lighter tone with our Thanksgiving This or That questions. When you’re done asking your kids the questions, grab them in a big hug and say, “You know what I’m thankful for? You!” And tickle them until their laughter fills the room.
You can also expand upon our This or That Thanksgiving questions by getting all of your Thanksgiving guests involved. If your kids can read, have them ask the this or that questions to everyone gathered around the table. Then, have each person come up with at least one This or That question to share with the group. See, Thanksgiving sounds more fun, already!
