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As the leaves fall from the trees and there’s a crisp chill in the air, my mind always drifts to one of my favorite holidays: Thanksgiving. Today, we’re diving deep into Thanksgiving traditions – that magical mix of history, heartfelt moments, and mouthwatering meals that bring us together. Whether you’re hosting a big bash or keeping it cozy with your immediate crew, traditions are what make this day special. I’ll share some timeless ones, how they’ve evolved in my own life as a military mom, and practical tips to adapt them to your family’s story. I’m excited to share ways to not overlook this holiday and keep it special.

A History of Thanksgiving

Let’s start at the beginning, shall we? Explaining the history of Thanksgiving to kids can be tricky – you want to keep it engaging without overwhelming them with dates and details. Think of it as storytelling time around the dinner table. Thanksgiving traces its roots back to 1621, when the Pilgrims, who had sailed across the ocean on the Mayflower from England, celebrated their first successful harvest in the New World. They were helped by the Wampanoag Native Americans, who taught them how to grow corn, fish, and hunt in this unfamiliar land.

Picture this for the little ones: Imagine being on a big boat for months, landing in a strange place where everything is new and scary. The Pilgrims were hungry and cold that first winter – many didn’t make it. But come fall, their hard work paid off with a bountiful harvest. To say “thank you,” they threw a three-day feast with their new friends, the Wampanoag. There was turkey (maybe!), deer, fish, corn, pumpkins, and berries. No pumpkin pie back then – that came later – but lots of sharing and gratitude.

Fast-forward to 1863, during the Civil War, when President Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday on the last Thursday in November. He wanted to unite the country in thanks, even in tough times. Over the years, it shifted to the fourth Thursday (thanks to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941) to give folks more shopping time before Christmas. Fun fact for kids: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade started in 1924 with zoo animals and floats.

Help your kiddos remember the history of Thanksgiving with hands-on and memorable activities. During November, make some of the actual foods pilgrims ate or draw a harvest feast with crayons. It’s practical too – it teaches empathy and appreciation.

Create a simple gratitude jar or go even easier and the next time you’re sitting around the dinner table begin by having everyone say what they’re thankful for. This has become a tradition in our family to do year round and my boys love leading it. They take turns to ask each person what they’re thankful for right before we pray. These brief moments of reflection truly help in the day-to-day toil of life.

As for Thanksgiving, these ideas are a gentle way to connect the past to now, showing how Thanksgiving is about more than just turkey. Thanksgiving is about thankfulness, community, and resilience.

Cozy Up with Books: Read-Aloud Favorites for Thanksgiving

Nothing beats snuggling up with a good book to get into the holiday spirit. Reading aloud at Thanksgiving is one of those traditions that’s easy, inexpensive, and creates lasting memories. It’s practical for busy families – just 15-20 minutes can spark conversations about gratitude and history. Here are some of my top picks, including classics and modern gems. I’ve chosen ones that are kid-friendly but enjoyable for all ages, with themes of family, harvest, and thanks.

First up, An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott. This heartwarming story from the author of Little Women follows the Bassett family in 19th-century New England. When Mom and Dad are called away, the kids take over preparing the feast – chaos ensues, but so does laughter and love. It’s perfect for reading aloud because of its vivid descriptions of roasting turkeys and baking pies. Pro tip: Pause to ask kids what they’d cook if they were in charge. We read this one every year; it’s like stepping back in time.

Next, The Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall, illustrated by Barbara Cooney. This Caldecott Medal winner is poetic and simple, following a farmer who loads his ox-cart with goods from his family’s hard work – wool, mittens, potatoes – and travels to market. It’s a gentle reminder of the harvest cycle and self-sufficiency, tying right into Thanksgiving’s roots. The illustrations are stunning; read it slowly to let the rhythm sink in. For younger kids, it’s mesmerizing; for older ones, it sparks talks about where our food comes from.

In November by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Jill Kastner, is a lyrical celebration of the season’s shift. This gentle picture book captures November’s essence – crisp air, bare trees, animals preparing for winter, and families gathering for Thanksgiving. Rylant’s poetic prose and Kastner’s warm, earthy illustrations make it a soothing read-aloud for all ages. It highlights gratitude and nature’s rhythms, tying perfectly to Thanksgiving traditions. Read it to slow down and savor the season’s coziness – my boys love spotting the animals! Pair it with a walk to collect autumn leaves.

Don’t miss A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting. This one’s a fun twist – Mr. and Mrs. Moose invite Turkey to dinner, but Turkey worries he’s the main course! Spoiler: It’s all about friendship and surprises. It’s short, humorous, and great for giggles around the table. Pair it with a craft like making turkey handprints.

Give Thanks by Naomi Shulman is a modern must-read. It’s a collection of quotes, poems, and reflection activities on gratitude from around the world. Not a story per se, but perfect for bite-sized read-aloud and truly learning to appreciate what we have in life.

For more variety, try The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks for moral lessons with familiar characters, or Over the River and Through the Wood by Lydia Maria Child, a lyrical classic about heading to Grandma’s for this special holiday of Thanksgiving. Squanto’s Journey by Joseph Bruchac offers a Native American perspective on the first Thanksgiving, promoting cultural awareness. And for laughs, Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano has a turkey disguising himself to avoid the oven.

Incorporate these into your routine: Read one each night leading up to Thanksgiving, or during dessert. It’s a practical way to wind down and build excitement. In my family, we rotate who picks the book to keep everyone involved.

Read Next: Holiday Books for Kids – coming soon!

Thanksgiving Crafts & Activities

Thanksgiving traditions aren’t just about food – they’re about making memories with your kiddos and I love embracing this fact all month! These crafts and games are practical, using household items, and tie into gratitude and history. In our military home, we aren’t always able to travel to family so these activities keep the holiday spirit alive and help my three boys feel connected to the season.

• Gratitude Tree: Cut leaf shapes from construction paper, have kids write what they’re thankful for or draw a picture, and hang them on a branch centerpiece. It’s a sweet accent to the dining room to spark inspired dinnertime talks. My boys love seeing talking about their leaves.
• Turkey Handprint Placemats: Trace little hands to make turkey shapes, decorate with markers or craft feathers, and laminate (or use clear contact paper) for reusable placemats. They’re perfect for messy eaters and become keepsakes.
• Pilgrim and Wampanoag Play: Act out the first Thanksgiving with paper hats or scarves. Use the history from earlier to guide the story – kids can be Pilgrims, Wampanoag, or even a turkey. It’s educational and silly, a hit with my crew.
• Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt: Hide autumn-themed items (acorns and mini pumpkins) around the house. Include clues like “Find something that reminds you of Grandma’s pie.” It’s a fun way to burn off energy and talk about family traditions.

These activities are easy, sentimental, or budget-friendly, perfect for military families like ours who move often. Try one or two this November to focus on this classic holiday instead of skipping straight into Christmas after Halloween.

Read Next: Leaf Crafts for Kids

Classic Thanksgiving Traditions

Thanksgiving traditions are like comfort food for the soul – familiar, warming, and full of flavor. At their core, they’re about gathering, gratitude, and grub. Let’s break down some common ones, with practical twists to make them your own.

The biggie: The Feast. Turkey takes center stage, roasted golden with stuffing (although we haven’t had turkey at ours for years), gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and pies galore – pumpkin, pecan, apple. Families often assign dishes to keep it practical and spread the load.

Next up are the pre-meal rituals include saying grace or sharing thanks. Some play games like touch football or watch the parade. Post-dinner? Football watching, board games, walks to burn off that tryptophan, or something else (more on that coming up!).

I have to mention it but decor plays a role too: Autumn leaves, pilgrims, cornucopias. Don’t drag out the Christmas decorations yet, keep the focus here. Christmas will get it’s turn! And don’t forget volunteering – many families serve at shelters, teaching kids about giving back.

These traditions root us, but they’re not set in stone. As families evolve, so do they – and that’s the beauty of it. It’s about the essence, not perfection.

Pass it Along: Involving Kids in the Kitchen

Thanksgiving traditions taste even sweeter when the whole family’s in the kitchen. Growing up, I watched Mom orchestrate our feast like a maestro, and now I’m passing that love to my boys. Getting kids involved in cooking isn’t just fun – it builds skills and memories. Here’s how to make your kitchen a hub of holiday joy, with practical tips for safe, kid-friendly tasks that honor those must-have dishes.

• Kid-Safe Tasks: Assign age-appropriate jobs. Toddlers can tear lettuce for a salad, while older kids mash potatoes or roll dough for rolls. My boys love mixing the pumpkin pie filling – it’s messy but memorable!
• Recipe Legacy: Turn family recipes into a “Thanksgiving cookbook.” Have kids write or draw dishes like G-Mom’s sweet potato casserole. I’m excited to start one for my family.
• Mini Chefs’ Appetizers: Let kids arrange simple apps, like the crackers or veggie tray. My mom always provided appetizers for everyone, just in case the turkey took longer than expected to roast.
• Safety Tips: Check out this post – Kitchen Rules to get more helpful information on inviting your child to help in the kitchen.
• Cleaning Duty: Are your kids still quite a hand full in the kitchen and that stress on top of preparing a feast for family and friends too much? I understand, my younger kiddos are welcome to help the day before when we’re making pies but the day of Daddy helps keep them out of the kitchen by tidying and cleaning up for our guests.

This tradition builds confidence and keeps the spirit of those special dishes alive. Start small – even mixing the stuffing counts!

Adapting Traditions

Life has a way of shaking things up – moves, marriages, kids, jobs. As a military family, we’ve mastered the art of adapting Thanksgiving traditions without losing their magic. It’s friendly advice: Embrace change, but hold onto what sparks joy.

A Child’s Thanksgiving Remembered

Growing up, Thanksgiving was beautiful. My mom hosted every year, our home would be bursting with 30 relatives and friends. It was chaotic bliss – kids playing, laughter echoing, women chatting, men talking, aromas swirling. Everyone had their designated dish, the same every year: Aunt Terri’s green bean casserole, Great Grandma’s cranberry salad. Mom coordinated like a pro, calling everyone ahead of time to make sure they would attend and all dishes were accounted for. I relied on those flavors; they were Thanksgiving to me. No mashed potatoes and gravy? Unthinkable!

After the feast, cleanup was swift. Then, the men and boys lounged with football, while us ladies piled into vehicles to carpool to two charming Christmas shops in town. Twinkling lights, ornaments galore – Mom let my sister and me pick one new bauble each year. It was our ritual kickoff to the season. The next day meant attic raids: Boxes of ornaments, lights, nativity sets hauled down. Decorating commenced, transforming our home into a winter wonderland. And leftovers? We savored them until they ran out– turkey sandwiches, pie for breakfast. Pure heaven!

When Life Changes

Fast-forward to now: We’re military, stationed far from our families. Travel’s tough around holidays, especially with three young boys. We’ve forged our own path, adapting and blending the old and new. It may not always seem practical to others but it’s worth it in our home even if it’s only us five: me, my hubby, and our energetic trio.

Food is still at the forefront of my mind. I expect certain dishes during the holiday season; it’s just not Thanksgiving or Christmas without those dishes. But as one person, I’ve had to split them between Thanksgiving and Christmas. (Christmas was always fluid growing up – different hosts, the occasional familiar dishes). For Thanksgiving, I bake two pies (pumpkin and apple) and whip up around five or seven side dishes.

Each dish honors family: G-Mom’s sweet potato casserole, Baba’s lime-green Jell-O salad (retro fun!), Aunt Terri’s green bean casserole with crispy onions. Mashed potatoes? Grandma always helped peel, so they’re a must. Stuffing evokes the scents of Mom’s kitchen – butter, sage, onion, celery scents wafting Thanksgiving morning. My other grandma brought all the pies, so pumpkin pie nods to her. Gravy flows freely, sweet bread warms the oven.

As for appetizers? Mom’s spread was thoughtful and plentiful so I recreate a mini version: cheese balls, crackers, veggie trays. These keep the kids out of the kitchen and hunger at bay while the food bakes.

I’m not able to list everything because some migrated to Christmas, like Grandma’s cherry pie and my mom’s sweet potato bake. But regardless of guests (sometimes just us, sometimes friends and coworkers), I make the same dishes and the same amount. Prep starts a day ahead with pies baked on Wednesday and any steps that can be completed the day before are ready.

On the day, it’s a symphony of timers and tastes. Saying grace and giving thanks to our Lord pauses the chaos and brings everyone together before we dig into the bountiful feast. Our boys are young, so leftovers stretch a week – turkey soup, casserole remixes. I love it; recreates that childhood abundance.

We’ve adapted entertainment traditions too. Growing up, The Macy’s Day Parade would be on. Now, I don’t have much interest in the pop stars nor the time to make sure it’s something I want my kids viewing. So instead the boys watch Mouse on the Mayflower – that old-timey animated classic about a mouse stowing away on the Pilgrims’ ship. It was obscure then and is now, but we hunted it down on a niche streaming platform (no more VHS). It’s our family staple; the boys adore the adventure and songs.

Children’s books are also a tradition for us every year. They’re specifically chosen to be Thanksgiving, November, or pilgrim themed. They’re beautiful books and I encourage you to add them to your children’s library (check out the list above).

After the Feast

What does the evening wind-down look like? After the feast, I insist on hauling Christmas decor tubs from the attic. Hubby grumbles, but helps! We pack away Thanksgiving items – pilgrims tucked in, autumn wreaths stored. But decorating waits till Friday, preserving the day’s focus. No more small-town Christmas shops (most shuttered, sadly), so during the season, I take the boys to a big-box store. We browse aisles of Christmas decorations and ornaments, picking ones for their own children’s tree – a small one in the main living area.

The children’s tree is a continued tradition because my sister and I had our own tree to decorate outside our rooms. Now that I’m a Mom I understand why we had our own tree. Separate trees keep Mom’s sentimental ornaments safe from kiddos. Overall, it’s evolved, but the thrill of choosing remains.

As families grow, traditions expand: New in-laws bring their own recipes. Kids age so adapt their involvement. Loss changes things – honor absent loved ones with their dish or a toast.

Practical tips: Start small. List core elements (food, activities) and tweak. Budget? DIY decor with the kids. Time-crunched? Pre-made sides. The key? Communication – chat with family about what’s meaningful. In our life, these adaptations keep the spirit alive. It’s not about replicating; it’s about recreating joy.

Community and Gratitude Beyond the Table

Thanksgiving traditions go beyond our tables – they’re about spreading gratitude to our communities. Growing up, our packed house felt like its own village, but as a military family far from home, we’ve found new ways to give back. Whether you’re near family or starting fresh, here are practical ideas to make giving a part of your Thanksgiving, from volunteering to simple acts kids can join.

• Local Volunteering: Serve meals at a shelter or donate to a food drive. It’s a way to build roots wherever you’re at.
• Donation Giving: We love donating items to an animals shelter or to an animal rescue in a turkey’s honor. Write thank-you notes to service members who are deployed during the holidays. Perfect for busy or far-flung families.
• Gratitude Projects: Create kindness bags with toiletries for shelters.
• Family Reflection: During a family dinner (doesn’t have to be the big feast) discuss as a family how everyone would like to give back this year.

These acts keep the holiday’s spirit alive, teaching kids that Thanksgiving is about sharing. Start small – even a single act makes a difference.

Your Thanksgiving, Your Way

Whew, we’ve covered a lot – from history to books, crafts to cooking, giving to gratitude. Thanksgiving traditions aren’t rigid; they’re living, breathing parts of our stories. Whether channeling my mom’s beautiful gatherings or our cozy military Thanksgivings, the goal is connection and joy.

This year, try a new book, tweak a dish, or start a fresh ritual. Share yours in the comments – let’s inspire each other! From my family to yours, happy Thanksgiving. May your table overflow with love, laughter, and leftovers.

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