Thanksgiving is a time for food, family, and… let’s be honest — a whole lot of chaos in the kitchen. If you’re hosting the big meal, keeping the kids entertained (and out of the stuffing) can be a challenge.
Good news: we’ve gathered easy, fun, and screen-free crafts and activities to keep your little ones busy — and grateful — while the turkey roasts. Bonus: most of these can be prepped with supplies from local Vegas shops or done using items you already have at home.
🎨 1. Thanksgiving Gratitude Turkeys
- What you need: Construction paper, glue sticks, googly eyes, markers.
- How to play: Cut out turkey body shapes and colorful “feathers.” Have the kids write one thing they’re thankful for on each feather.
- Where to get supplies: Michaels (Las Vegas Blvd), Dollar Tree (multiple locations), or JOANN Fabric & Craft Store.
📝 Pro tip: Display them on the fridge or wall to create a “Gratitude Garden.”
🖐️ 2. Handprint Tablecloth Tradition
- What you need: Plain white tablecloth or butcher paper, fabric markers or paint.
- How to play: Each child traces their hand and writes their name + what they’re thankful for inside the outline.
- Vegas twist: Add a small Vegas symbol each year (a dice or the skyline)!
👨👩👧👦 Family tradition idea: Do this every year and watch your kids’ hands – and thanks – grow over time.
🎲 3. Thanksgiving Bingo (Vegas-Style!)
- What you need: Printable bingo cards with Thanksgiving foods, family roles, and local Vegas icons (download our [FREE version here]).
- How to play: Use candy corn or buttons as markers. First to get five in a row wins a piece of pumpkin pie early!
💡 Vegas flair: Add squares like “Grandma brings stuffing” or “A show plays in the background.”
📚 4. Storytime & Coloring Station
- What you need: Thanksgiving-themed books (see picks below), crayons, and free coloring pages.
- Local library options: Clark County Library often has themed book bundles ready for pickup!
📖 Top kid-friendly books:
- “Turkey Trouble” by Wendi Silvano
- “The Great Thanksgiving Escape” by Mark Fearing
- “Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving” by Kimberly Dean
🦃 5. Build-a-Turkey Challenge (STEM Activity)
- What you need: Toothpicks, marshmallows, cereal boxes, feathers, pom-poms.
- Challenge: Build the tallest or wackiest turkey structure. No rules, just creativity!
🏆 Make it competitive: Offer a small prize (or let the winner skip dish duty).
🎥 6. Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Movie Marathon
Sometimes, a little screen time is just what you need.
🍿 Top picks:
- “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (classic!)
- “Free Birds” (animated turkey time travel)
- “Garfield’s Thanksgiving” (for some 90s nostalgia)
🛋️ Bonus tip: Set up a cozy “kids-only” movie nook with pillows and popcorn.
💡 Final Tip: Prep a Craft Bin the Night Before
Have everything ready to go in one bin or tray so the kids can start right away. It’ll buy you at least an hour of peaceful pie prep time.
🍁 Happy Thanksgiving from FamilyFun.Vegas!
Wishing your family a day filled with gratitude, good food, and great memories. Tag us on social media with your crafts using #FamilyFunVegas — we might feature your little turkey artists!
