Thanksgiving Lessons for Kids

Children often associate Thanksgiving with food, so Thanksgiving lessons for kids can open their eyes to what the holiday is really all about.

Most kids learn the traditional Thanksgiving lessons in school. They often associate Thanksgiving with Pilgrims, Indians, and, of course, food. While these are all pertinent subjects to this popular holiday, many kids overlook the true meaning of this day…giving thanks.

In some families, the tradition of giving thanks is shared from one year to the next. Families gather around a table laden with wonderful foods, and one member of the family says the blessing. At some gatherings, each member of the family is encouraged to think about what he or she is thankful for and asked to share that thought out loud. This is an excellent way for everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, to reflect back upon the good things that have happened to him or her throughout the year. In many cases, this act of remembering will prompt more memories, and before too long, family members and friends are clamoring to share more of their good thoughts and blessings. Young children particularly love to get in on the act, as they share how thankful they are for a favorite toy, activity, friend, or even food.

How can you encourage your children to be more thankful for the good things they have in their lives? Thanksgiving lessons for kids can help your kids focus on their blessings, and in the process, they can have fun and be creative as well!

The following sites offer numerous Thanksgiving lessons for kids. Whether you are a classroom teacher, Sunday school instructor, or a parent, you'll find lots of wonderful ideas to use with your kids. While many of these lessons are geared toward the Thanksgiving Day holiday, they can also be modified to use any time of the year.

• The Teachers Corner-This site offers tons of lessons, activities, and ideas for you to use with your kids. There are thematic units that offer critical thinking activities, reading comprehension practice, puzzles, and more, as well as lots of worksheets and crafts. You'll find lots of fun things to do for a variety of ages. Don't forget to check out the site's "Pilgrim Life Adventure" Webquest!
• A to Z Teacher Stuff-Show your kids why the Pilgrims really did have so much to be thankful for as they survived their first few months and years in their new home. Then, apply those same lessons to your kids' lives today. Compare what they have with what the Pilgrims had. The historical lessons on this site will bring history alive for your kids. They are educational, yet fun! Teach your kids about the Wampanoag Indians, the settlers of Jamestown, and life at Plymouth Plantation. Together, you can learn Thanksgiving songs and poems that reflect on the true nature of the holiday.
• Christian Crafter-With lessons like "Thank You, God, for My Ears" and "Thank You, God, for My Eyes", your kids will soon be counting their blessings. Each lesson has a variety of activities to go along with its theme, such as making musical instruments, creating a storybook, songs, and crafts.
• Artist Helping Children-This site offers a huge directory of crafts for virtually any time of the year. You'll find simple directions for each activity, and many of these can be completed by elementary school aged and even preschool children with just a little help from an adult.

Yes, kids often fail to stop and count their blessings, but with some great activities centered around this special holiday, they really can understand the true meaning of Thanksgiving Day.

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