HOW DO YOU SPELL T-H-A-N-K-F-U-L?

To be thankful means feeling happy and grateful for the good things you have in your life. It’s when you notice the special people, experiences, or things around you and take a moment to appreciate them. Being thankful might be as simple as saying "thank you" when someone helps you or noticing how lucky you are to have a warm home or good friends. It helps us focus on the positive things in our lives, even when things aren’t perfect.

Thanksgiving is a holiday where people come together to celebrate and give thanks for the good things in their lives. In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. It started with a feast between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans in 1621, as they came together to celebrate a successful harvest. Today, families and friends often gather to enjoy a big meal, which usually includes foods like turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving is also a time to remember what we’re grateful for and to spend time with loved ones.

In the United States, people celebrate Thanksgiving by gathering with family and friends for a big meal, usually featuring dishes like roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Before the meal, some families take a moment to share what they’re thankful for.

Many people also enjoy watching the Thanksgiving Day parade on TV or attending a local parade if there's one nearby. Football is another big part of Thanksgiving for many families, as there are usually special games played on that day. Some people volunteer or donate to help others in need, making sure everyone can enjoy a meal for the holiday. Thanksgiving is mostly about spending time with loved ones and reflecting on the good things in life.

Here are some wonderful books to read with children about Thanksgiving and the theme of gratitude:

1. Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson – This fun, historical picture book tells the story of Sarah Hale, who fought to make Thanksgiving a national holiday.
2. Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson – This heartwarming book shows Bear and his friends coming together for a meal, each bringing something to share and learning about friendship and gratitude.
3. The Thankful Book by Todd Parr – A simple, colorful book that celebrates everyday things to be thankful for, like family, friends, and the world around us.
4. Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano – A humorous story about a turkey trying to disguise himself to avoid becoming Thanksgiving dinner, making it a fun way to talk about holiday traditions.
5. Gracias Thanks by Pat Mora – A bilingual book about a young boy sharing all the things he’s thankful for in both English and Spanish, perfect for exploring gratitude in everyday life.
6. An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott – This classic story shares the spirit of Thanksgiving as a family comes together to celebrate, making it a lovely choice for older children.
7. The Thank You Book by Mo Willems – Part of the Elephant & Piggie series, this funny story helps children understand the importance of saying thank you to people who make a difference in our lives.
8. In November by Cynthia Rylant – A beautifully illustrated book that captures the cozy, grateful feeling of November, when people and animals alike prepare for winter and enjoy time together.

These books offer a mix of history, humor, and heartwarming messages about being thankful and celebrating Thanksgiving.

Here is another favorite of mine: Arthur's Thanksgiving

Here are some fun and festive Thanksgiving activities for children:

1. Gratitude Tree: Have kids create a "thankful tree" by drawing or crafting a tree and adding leaves where they write things they’re thankful for. This can be a great decoration for the season, and kids can add new leaves each day.
2. Turkey Crafts: Use paper plates, construction paper, and markers to make colorful turkeys. Kids can add feathers labeled with things they’re thankful for or make a “handprint turkey” with paint or markers.
3. Pumpkin Bowling: Set up a mini bowling game with small pumpkins as the “ball” and empty cans or plastic cups decorated as bowling pins. This is a fun, active game for indoor or outdoor play.
4. Thanksgiving Bingo: Create a Thanksgiving-themed Bingo game with images like turkeys, pumpkins, fall leaves, and pies. This can be played with candy corn or small treats as markers.
5. Nature Walk and Leaf Collecting: Take a walk outside and collect colorful leaves. Kids can use them for leaf rubbings or press them to make a “thankful leaf collage” to decorate their rooms or share with family.
6. Mini Pumpkin Decorating: Give each child a mini pumpkin to decorate with paint, markers, stickers, or other craft materials. They can personalize their pumpkins with silly faces or Thanksgiving designs.
7. Thanksgiving Storytelling Circle: Have a circle where each child takes turns adding to a fun Thanksgiving story. You can start with a prompt, like “One Thanksgiving, a turkey named Tom decided…” and let kids build the story from there.
8. Thanksgiving Recipe Sharing: Invite kids to bring in a family recipe (or write it down with help) and share why it’s special to their family. They can also make a "Thanksgiving Recipe Book" to give to friends and family.
9. Turkey Tag: A twist on regular tag, with one person as the “Turkey” trying to avoid being caught by “hunters.” Each child caught can join in helping catch others until everyone’s been caught.
10. Gratitude Journal or Jar: Set up a daily gratitude journal or jar where kids can write or draw something they’re thankful for each day of November. At Thanksgiving dinner, they can share their favorite entries with family.

These activities can keep kids engaged, help them understand the meaning of Thanksgiving, and give them a fun way to express their creativity and gratitude!

Here is a free word searh and some coloring pages to use with your children.

 What do you do with your children during Thanksgiving?

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