Thanksgiving is such a fun time to slow down, get creative, and help little ones think about gratitude – without needing to spend hours cutting out turkeys or cleaning up glitter!

These 12 (yes, 12!) Thanksgiving activities for preschoolers are simple to set up, full of learning, and totally different from the same crafts that fill your feed every November. They’re perfect for parents, homeschoolers, and early childhood teachers who love hands-on play and meaningful moments.

1. Gratitude Sound Hunt

What you need: Just your ears and a short walk outdoors or around the house!
How to play: Go on a “listening walk.” Each time your child hears a sound, pause and ask, “What could that be?” Afterward, talk about which sounds made them feel happy or thankful (birds, laughter, the wind).

What kids learn: Mindfulness, language, and emotional awareness.

2. Cranberry Scoop Challenge

What you need: Fresh cranberries, a large bowl of water, spoons or tongs, and muffin tins.
How to play: Scoop, scoop, scoop! See how many cranberries each section can hold. Count, sort, or race to fill a tin first.

What kids learn: Fine motor control, counting, and sensory exploration.

3. Thankful Tree with a Twist

What you need: Real leaves or nature finds, metallic Sharpies or paint pens, and a branch in a vase.
How to play: Write or draw something you’re thankful for on each leaf, then clip or tape them to the branch.

What kids learn: Gratitude, writing/drawing, and connecting with nature.

4. Turkey Trot Number Line

What you need: 10 Paper feathers, markers, and tape.

How to play: Write the numbers 1–10, one on each feather, and tape the feathers around the floor. Play some fun music and let the children dance around the room. Call out a number, and have the children find the feather with that number. When everyone has found the right feather, they can flap their arms like turkey wings and shout, “Gobble, gobble, gobble!” Keep playing until all the numbers have been found.    

What kids learn: Number recognition, movement, and listening skills.

5. Feather Drop Challenge

What you need: Feathers and fans (or folded paper).
How to play: Let children drop feathers and experiment with blowing them in different ways. Talk about what happens when you blow harder, softer, or from different angles.

What kids learn: Cause and effect, observation, and science inquiry.

6. Thankful Hearts Music Game

What you need: A small heart (felt, paper, or beanbag) and music.
How to play: Sit in a circle and pass the heart as music plays. When it stops, whoever holds it says (or sings!) something they’re thankful for.

What kids learn: Turn-taking, gratitude, and rhythm awareness.

7. Corn Kernel Patterns

What you need: Dried corn kernels (or colored pasta) and small cups or paper strips.
How to play: Make repeating patterns, fill in drawn shapes, or sort by color.

What kids learn: Early math, color recognition, fine motor skills.

8. Silly Turkey Faces

What you need: Paper circles, googly eyes, feathers, glue, and crayons.
How to play: Challenge your child: “Make the silliest turkey face you can!” 

What kids learn: Creativity, humor, and self-expression.

9. Floating Corn Race

What you need: A bin of water, straws, popcorn pieces, and optional cranberries or candy corn.
How to play: Blow your popcorn “boat” to the other side using the straw — no hands allowed! Try other objects to see which float or sink.

What kids learn: Science, breath control, and cause/effect.

10. Thanksgiving Story Stones

What you need: Smooth rocks or paper circles, and markers.
How to play: Draw simple Thanksgiving symbols, like a pie, turkey, leaf, or family, on the stones. Have the first child pick a stone and start a story based on the picture they see. Then, one by one, other children take turns picking a stone, looking at the picture, and adding to the group story. Keep going until all the stones have been used, creating a fun, shared Thanksgiving tale!         

What kids learn: Storytelling, sequencing, and vocabulary.

11. Leaf Sorting Bakery

What you need: Fall leaves, paper plates or muffin tins labeled “small,” “medium,” “large.”
How to play: Sort leaves into the right “pie trays.” Add a sprinkle of cinnamon for fun!

What kids learn: Sorting, comparing sizes, pretend play.

12. Pilgrim Hat Balance Walk

What you need: Large black paper circles (“hats”) and tape for a walking line.
How to play: Balance the paper hat on your head and walk along the line. Add silly challenges: tiptoe, spin, or gobble like a turkey!

What kids learn: Balance, coordination, and body control.

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean glitter explosions or all-day prep. These simple, hands-on activities help your little ones practice gratitude, creativity, and connection — all while having real, meaningful fun.

Which one will your family try first? Tell me in the comments — and don’t forget to save this post so you’ll have fresh ideas ready for next year too

If you love this, you will love our Fall Apple Tree Play dough Mat.  Click here to check it out.

Love Easy Ideas Like This?

We’re all about helping you build brilliant little minds through play!
Explore our website for more preschool-friendly activities, printables, and learning through joy.

And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram @building.brilliant.minds for fresh ideas, behind-the-scenes fun, and quick ideas like this one!