Thanksgiving is a precious time to enjoy the fruit of our labor.
Some say it is modeled after the ancient Hebrew feast of Sukkot, where the Jewish people remembered their days of sojourn by dwelling in a tent for a week, or at least taking their meals there. (Lev. 23:42-43)
It's also a beautiful opportunity to reflect on the year that has passed, and close the chapter of intentional school work to make space for holiday festivities and Christmas school.
One way to do this is by sharing some intentional stories about American Pilgrims and their friends, as well as stories about modern Thanksgiving celebrations.
Here is a simple three day Thanksgiving activity guide that is sure to bring joy into a busy week.
Day 1: Stories of Gratitude
Gratitude begins with remembering.
Curl up together with a beautiful story that opens the door to thanksgiving, kindness, and shared wonder. Here are a few gentle options all linked to Youtube.
- Cranberry Thanksgiving — Wende & Harry Devlin
- Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story — Pat Zietlow Miller
- The Thanksgiving Story — Alice Dalgliesh
- Squanto’s Journey — Joseph Bruchac
As you read, allow each child to offer a simple narration. What did your children love, what surprised them, what made them curious?
Reflect together:
How can we choose joy even when life feels hard? Where do we see God’s provision in this story, and in our own?
Activities for all ages:
- Handprint Turkey: Each feather becomes a word or phrase of thanks. Simply dip your child's hand in brown paint, with the thumb as the turkey neck and the fingers turkey feathers. When dry, write thankful words on the fingers and add a turkey waddle and beak to the thumb portion with a red marker.
- Family Sharing: Everyone names one person they’re grateful for and why.
Day 2: Hospitality & Helping Hands
Gratitude naturally overflows into generosity.
Today, choose a story that highlights community, gathering, or simple hospitality:
Let these books spark a conversation about what it looks like to open our hands and homes to others.
Reflect together:
How does serving someone else bring joy to our hearts? Who could we bless this week?
Activities for all ages:
- Bake a Pumpkin Pie: Little ones measure and stir; older children read the recipe aloud.
- Make Walnut Shell Mayflower boats: Take a half walnut shells and add a toothpick mast and paper sail.
- Turkey Place Cards: create Turkey themed place cards for Thanksgiving guests
Day 3: Gathering Beauty & Gratitude
Thankfulness turns the ordinary into gifts.
Make space today for beauty. Go on a nature walk and gather leaves, pinecones, or acorns. Notice the quiet detail in God’s creation during this season of rest.
Pick another story to read together:
- Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas
- November — Cynthia Rylant
- Ox-Cart Man — Donald Hall
Activities for all ages:
- Thankful Placemats: Write words or draw pictures of what you're thankful for on a piece of construction paper. Use them as placemats on Thanksgiving.
- Family Storytelling: Share favorite Thanksgiving memories or look through old photos.
If you’d like to go deeper or broaden your history study check out these books:
- Hiawatha and the Peacemaker — Robbie Robertson (note: intense imagery for young children)
- Of Plymouth Plantation — William Bradford
- The Pilgrims of Plimoth — Marcia Sewell
- Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims — Clyde Robert Bulla
You can find many of these books and projects in The Playful Pioneers Volume 2!
If your family enjoys story-filled learning, nature study, and hands-on projects, you will love this gentle, joyful curriculum.
Playful Pioneers Volume 2 offers an excellent overview of United States history and geography through beautiful living books and a chronological, regional approach. Each month highlights a different geographical region, weaving together history, culture, science, and hands-on activities that make learning feel alive.
Families who loved the original Playful Pioneers will find Volume 2 to be a natural, delightful continuation—deepening curiosity, strengthening family connection, and bringing American history to life one story at a time.
May Your Thanksgiving Be Slow, Sweet, and Full of Grace
You don’t need a packed schedule to make Thanksgiving meaningful. Just a few beautiful books, shared work in the kitchen, and warm conversations that point your children back to gratitude and God’s goodness.
May these gentle rhythms help you create a Thanksgiving your children will remember. Not for the perfection, but for the peace.