Celebrating thanksgiving in school
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to teach preschoolers about gratitude, kindness, and the importance of family and community. While traditional family celebrations might look a little different in the classroom, there are plenty of ways to bring the spirit of the holiday into your preschool lessons and activities. Here are some ways we have seen classrooms and schools celebrate Thanksgiving in a fun and meaningful way:
1. Create a Gratitude Tree
A Gratitude Tree is a wonderful way to engage preschoolers in the spirit of thankfulness. Set up a tree branch in a large vase or pot, or create a paper tree on a bulletin board. Give each child a paper leaf or cut-out shape where they can write or draw something they’re grateful for. For younger children who can’t write, you can help them with dictation or offer pictures to color that represent things they appreciate—like family, pets, or their favorite foods. Add a new leaf each day leading up to Thanksgiving, and encourage the kids to discuss why they are thankful for the things they’ve chosen.
2. Read Thanksgiving-Themed Books
Reading stories is an essential part of early childhood education, and Thanksgiving offers many wonderful books to explore gratitude and kindness. Stories like Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson, The Thankful Book by Todd Parr, or Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson are all excellent choices to read aloud. After reading, have a group discussion where children can share what they’re thankful for, or engage them in a drawing activity based on the story. Books help teach values while also encouraging a love of reading in young children.
3. Host a Mini Thanksgiving Feast
Hosting a small Thanksgiving-themed feast can be a delightful and engaging way for preschoolers to celebrate the holiday. Depending on your classroom’s food policies, you can prepare simple dishes like small muffins, fruit, veggies, or pumpkin bread. To make it educational, talk to the children about where food comes from and why certain foods are associated with Thanksgiving. You can even turn it into a learning experience by assigning children tasks like serving, cleaning, or setting the table. It’s a fun and interactive way to introduce the concept of sharing and togetherness.
4. Make Thanksgiving-Themed Crafts
Crafts are always a hit with preschoolers, and Thanksgiving offers a variety of creative opportunities. Try making handprint turkeys where kids dip their hands in paint and create feathers. Another fun idea is to create paper plate pumpkins, or have children decorate cut-out pilgrim hats or cornucopias with crayons, stickers, and other materials. Crafts are a great way for children to practice fine motor skills, and the end result provides a fun keepsake that can be sent home to families.
5. Practice Acts of Kindness
One of the best lessons you can impart during Thanksgiving is the importance of kindness and helping others. Preschoolers are naturally empathetic, and this holiday is a perfect time to nurture that trait. Organize small acts of kindness within your classroom, such as helping a classmate clean up, sharing toys, or giving compliments. You can also talk about how Thanksgiving is a time to help those in need, and if possible, organize a food drive or small charity project that the children can participate in. These lessons in kindness will help instill a sense of compassion in your students while emphasizing the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
In Conclusion
Thanksgiving in preschool is more than just a fun celebration—it’s an opportunity to teach children important values like gratitude, generosity, and community. By incorporating these simple activities, you can create a meaningful and memorable Thanksgiving experience that will inspire your young students to think about all they have to be thankful for. Most importantly, these lessons can help foster a positive classroom environment where children feel valued and supported. Happy Thanksgiving!