Kid-Pleasing Thanksgiving Fun

Keep the kids entertained with these ideas.

Dine and Draw

Kids can color their own placemats and play games with Big Dot of Happiness activity placemats; a set of 16 is available at target.com for $19.99. If you have a kids’ table, roll out a large piece of paper for a tablecloth and have lots of markers or crayons handy.

Wearable Art

You need just a few basic supplies to make these silly turkey headbands. Cut a strip of construction paper for a headband. Cut a triangle shape for a beak and eyes from white paper; glue them to the headband along with a few colorful paper feathers. Find a how-to video on crayola.com.

Super-Simple Decor

Keep it simple with craft kits that have everything you need in one place! The Thanksgiving Wreath Craft Kit has everything to make two complete wreaths; available at michaels.com for $6.99. Make cute woodland animal table decorations with the Paper Roll Characters kit, available at hobbylobby.com for $4.99.

Let’s Talk Turkey

Encourage dinner table discussion with fun questions for the whole family. Download printable Thanksgiving conversation cards from etsy.com, or try Table Topics Holiday Pack, with questions for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. Available from tabletopics.com for $20.

Time for a Game

After dinner, play your favorite games, but with a Turkey-Day twist! Challenge the kids to a themed “Pictionary” match with words to draw like “drumstick,” “leftovers” and “parade float.” Look for printable Thanksgiving-themed bingo cards online, or plan a fall scavenger hunt in the back yard.

Snacks They’ll Gobble Up

Easy Party Mix

Whip up this fall-colored mix by combining chopped wafer bars, candy corn, popcorn, mini pretzels and candy coated chocolates. Drizzle with yellow and orange candy melts and serve in paper cups. Find directions at littledebbie.com.

Turkey Cheese Ball

For before-dinner snacking, this appetizer starts with a mix of cream cheese, cheddar cheese and bacon bits. Red and yellow bell pepper, pretzels and candy eyes make it perfect for the Thanksgiving table! Serve with crackers or french bread slices. Find the recipe at bettycrocker.com.

Pilgrim Hat Cookies

Kids can make these cookies all by themselves! Place a dab of yellow frosting on the back of a chocolate shortbread cookie and top with a mini peanut butter cup. Pipe more frosting around the edge of the peanut butter cup and add a Reeses’ Pieces candy. Find directions at hersheyland.com.