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Thanksgiving is all about family, food, and fun—let’s be honest, the day can feel a little long for kids. What better way to keep the little ones entertained (and burn off some of that energy) than with some outdoor activities? It’s the perfect opportunity to get them off their screens and into the fresh, crisp autumn air while creating memories they’ll hold onto long after the turkey’s gone. Plus, with so many creative and festive options, you’ll be able to keep the day exciting for everyone.
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This post is all about 15+ Most Memorable Thanksgiving Outdoor Activities For Kids.
1. Nature-Themed Craft Station
Set up a small craft table outdoors with supplies like pinecones, leaves, twigs, and paint. Have the kids create nature-inspired Thanksgiving decorations—like turkey crafts or fall centerpieces. They’ll love the hands-on activity, and you’ll end up with adorable homemade décor for the dinner table.
2. Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe
Set up a small craft table outdoors with supplies like pinecones, leaves, twigs, and paint. Have the kids create nature-inspired Thanksgiving decorations—like turkey crafts or fall centerpieces. They’ll love the hands-on activity, and you’ll end up with adorable homemade décor for the dinner table.
3. Hay Bale Maze
If you have access to some hay bales, set up a mini maze in your yard. The kids can run through it, race each other, or even play a hide-and-seek-style game. It’s fun, festive, and perfect for an autumn day.
4. Turkey Feather Relay Race
In this relay race, each team has a “turkey” (someone wearing a headband with construction paper feathers attached). The goal is for the other players to race to the turkey and add “feathers” (pins or clothespins) to the turkey’s headband. The team that decorates their turkey the fastest wins! It’s a hilarious twist on the traditional relay and gets everyone moving.
5. Spoon and Egg Race (Thanksgiving Edition)
Instead of the usual eggs, try using mini pumpkins or even small turkey figurines (plastic, of course!) for a fun Thanksgiving twist. Line up the kids, hand them a spoon with their festive “egg,” and have them race to the finish line without dropping it. It’s harder than it looks but guarantees tons of giggles.
6. Leaf Print Art
Collect some beautiful fall leaves and dip them in paint. Then, press them onto paper to create colorful leaf prints. The kids can experiment with different leaf shapes and colors, creating a Thanksgiving nature masterpiece to take home or hang up as holiday decor.
7. Thankful Tree
Give each child a paper tree trunk (or they can draw their own), and provide them with paper leaves in fall colors. Have them write or draw things they’re thankful for on each leaf, then glue the leaves to the tree. You’ll end up with a beautiful and meaningful Thankful Tree that’s perfect to display at your Thanksgiving celebration.
8. Pumpkin Painting
Instead of carving pumpkins, give the kids some paint and brushes to decorate mini pumpkins. They can add fun designs, and patterns, or even turn their pumpkins into cute characters. It’s less messy than carving and lets their creativity shine!
9. Turkey Handprint Art
This one’s a classic for a reason! Have the kids dip their hands in paint to create handprint turkeys. Once the handprints dry, they can add eyes, beaks, and feathers with markers or more paint. Each child’s handprint becomes their own unique turkey creation, and it’s a fun keepsake to remember the day.
10. DIY Thanksgiving Hats
Provide craft supplies like construction paper, feathers, and glue so the kids can make their own Thanksgiving hats. They can design Pilgrim hats, Native American headdresses, or turkey hats, getting as creative as they like. Once they’re done, they can wear their creations for the rest of the day!
11. Thanksgiving Place Cards
Let the kids make personalized place cards for the Thanksgiving table. Provide cardstock, markers, stickers, and other decorations, and let them get creative. They can write each guest’s name on the cards and decorate them with turkeys, pumpkins, or fall leaves. These handmade place cards will add a special, personalized touch to the dinner table.
12. Paper Bag Turkeys
Using brown paper bags, let the kids create adorable turkey puppets. They can glue on googly eyes, paper feathers, and beaks. Once finished, they can even put on a puppet show using their homemade turkeys!
13. Fall-Themed Suncatchers
Using wax paper, crayons, and leaf-shaped cutouts, kids can create beautiful suncatchers that capture the warm colors of fall. Have them shave crayons in red, orange, and yellow, place them between two sheets of wax paper, and then gently iron them to melt the shavings. Once cooled, cut the wax paper into leaf shapes, and hang them in the window for a festive touch.
14. Paper Pumpkin Garlands
Cut out pumpkin shapes from orange construction paper, and let the kids decorate each one with markers, stickers, or glitter. String the decorated pumpkins together to create a festive garland that can be hung up as a Thanksgiving decoration.
15. DIY Thanksgiving Place Mats
Give each child a large sheet of paper or cardstock and have them create their personalized place mat for the Thanksgiving meal. They can draw, color, and decorate it with turkeys, fall leaves, or anything else that feels festive. Once finished, you can laminate the placemats for a fun keepsake the kids can use every year!
This post was all about 15+ Most Memorable Thanksgiving Outdoor Activities For Kids.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, fun, and making memories, and these outdoor and art activities are perfect for keeping kids entertained while celebrating the season. From scavenger hunts to creative crafts, these ideas encourage kids to get outside, get creative, and fully embrace the festive spirit. Not only will these activities keep them busy, but they also create opportunities for bonding and laughter that everyone will cherish. So, as you gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, try some fun activities to make your celebration even more special and memorable!
