I don’t need to tell you that 2020 has been a difficult year. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you are just as ready to end the unpredictable chaos and monotony of social distancing as I am. I also won’t pretend we are all in the same boat in this storm. While my boat has been turbulent, we aren’t taking on water. I know many have not been so lucky.

So this holiday, I've made the decision to recenter, and focus on the gratitude and joy, instead of self pity. 

I should offer the disclaimer that I wrote this piece from where I have existed during this challenging year, and I acknowledge that is a place of privilege. I know it is not everyone's story, and while I hope this will not happen, some may even feel I am out of touch. I also live in a community of immense privilege, and for those of us for whom the year has been shaky but not catastrophic, I think a healthy dose of reality and gratitude is exactly what we need this holiday season. That is why I wrote this piece. If your year has been like mine, one of discomfort and inconvenience, but not tragedy, I hope you will join me in being grateful this holiday season. 

You can read my entire post for Westchester County Mom here.

You can also find inspiration for new holiday traditions to help make this challenging holiday more special here. 

Or, check out my entire Christmas Guide for great crafts, activities, printables, gift guides, and more!

Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases. My participation in this program comes at no added cost to you, and helps support this blog. You can learn more about my participation in this program here.  

With Thanksgiving around the corner, check out these great books and activities! They are perfect for both homeschooling families, and those just looking for themed activities. 

Classic Handprint Turkey

If you grew up in the United States, you almost certainly have memories of doing handprint turkeys around Thanksgiving. The concept is simple; trace your hand, then add a beak and some legs. Voila! You have a turkey! 

As a mommy blogger, of course I have to give my own take on the project! 

The core concept remains the same, but I've added a few flairs of my own. Here is my take on the classic handprint turkey craft!

What you will need:

• White paper
• Brown paper
• Red, orange, and yellow paper
• Black and orange markers
• Scissors
• Glue

How to make your turkeys:

And that's it! Want to elaborate on this activity, or dress it up some? Try these great modifications:

1. Make it a writing activity (Version 1): Have your child write one thing they are grateful for on each feather.
2. Make it a writing activity (Version 2): Have your child write things they can do to show others they are thankful for them on each feather.
3. Make it a writing activity (Version 3): Instead of gluing the handprints on flat white paper, glue them on folded card stock. Your child can use these to write thank you cards to those they care about.
4. Make it a family memory: Make a family of turkeys! Have each family member make a handprint turkey, and glue them on a larger piece of paper. Have each family member sign their turkey, or use stencils or a calligraphy pen to label each one with their name. Write Thanksgiving [YEAR]  in decorative lettering, and frame as a Thanksgiving decoration/memento.
5. Make it a cherished memento: For a more stylish version: Use stretched canvas or wooded canvases and have your child make a handprint using paint. Then have them use tissue paper to create feathers. You can get ideas for products I've used for projects such as this here and here.
6. Make it a placemat: Just laminate once your child is done! 
   

Coloring Pages

No subscription needed for these great coloring pages!

Gratitude Journal/Collages

Create a family gratitude list or journal! You can do this in several ways. One is to use a nice journal or notebook, and add entries each day with what each family member is grateful for. Younger children can add drawings to the book. Another option is to create a scrapbook of collages with what each family member is grateful for. An alternate form of this activity is to have your child create a gratitude collage by printing pictures of things that symbolize what they are grateful for, and gluing them on paper. Older children can also add captions or printed words to their collages. Finally, you can also use my gratitude journal printables and put them in a binder using page protectors or just a 3 hole punch. 

Printables

If you are a newsletter subscriber, be sure to check out the Thanksgiving folder for some great new printables! Included are some velcro activities (I used them to make a Thanksgiving binder book game; you can get instructions on how to make one here), a counting worksheet, and gratitude journaling pages for the entire family!

Great Read: I am Thankful

I am Thankful is a new seasonal favorite in our home this year (both me and my child love it!). Featuring a diverse cast of characters, this relatable story discusses the many things children may experience as Thanksgiving traditions, and the many things (and people) they may be grateful for. The book also contains a variety of activities you can do. 

Other Highly Rated Thanksgiving Books Your Child Might Like!

Create Your Own Parade Floats

Using materials of your choice (boxes, plastic bottles, paper, pom poms, sequins, toys, balloons, etc.), create parade floats and put on your own Thanksgiving Parade around the house!

Baking

Baking is one of my favorite activities to do as a family, and Thanksgiving baking is no different. Check out some of my favorite recipes, or use your own!

• Pumpkin Muffins (Can also be used as a pumpkin bread recipe): This is my favorite pumpkin muffin recipe, and is kid tested (and approved!).
• Brownies: This brownie recipe is easy to make tree nut, peanut, and sesame free, and is well tested in our home. We use it regularly, and love it!
• Want more idea? I have a number of recipePinterest Boards, including:
  • Baking (content from other bloggers​)
  • General Recipes (content from other bloggers)

I'll be sharing even more soon!

Even More Ideas!

I love this turkey building activity from Beary Sweet Home. There are also tons of recommendations for other activities, books, and printables!

I also love this turkey weaving activity from The Growing Creatives (you can also find it pinned on my Pinterest).

You can also find a bunch of great activities on Amazon. Here are a few highly rated options your kids may love!