While Thanksgiving day is full of entertainment for adults, it can be a tad uneventful from a child’s perspective. Most families let the kids play while the guests are arriving and the food is still being cooked. But once dinner is served, the children have to sit down to eat, and boredom strikes. Well, it doesn’t have to. Here are three ways to keep the kids entertained during Thanksgiving dinner.
- Indestructible Books (Younger Children)
Amy Pixton is an author and creator who invented Indestructibles. These books live up to their title by being chew, rip and drool resistant. They are printed on recyclable, nontoxic paper and designed specifically for babies and children who make messes and explore new things (even books) with their mouths. Pixton’s Indestructibles are easily washable, making them perfect for little hands covered in Thanksgiving dinner remnants. Check out a few of the titles below:
- Activity Packets (All Ages)
Just like at restaurants, kids can draw and eat. Before the big day, prepare some activity packets for your younger guests. Use the internet to find free printable resources they can complete without adult assistance. Before settling on your activities, consider the age of the kids. If they are pre-readers, skip pages with text instructions and provide self explanatory coloring pages, connect-the-dots and mazes. For older children, you can include brain teasers, word searches, madlibs, and holiday themed crossword puzzles. For both age groups, include blank sheets of paper for free draw to allow the children to express their creativity without limits.
- Bracelets (Older Children)
The last option to keep the kids busy is to let them craft. With printed tutorials, and a little preparation, this entertainment option is doable, fun, and memorable. Start by collecting some bracelet craft supplies (tape, key rings, string, yarn,etc.). Next, prepare a couple of Ziploc bags of your materials to keep the bracelet kits together. Finish by laying them on top of the printed out instructions on how to make simple friendship bracelets. Remember to avoid materials that may be choking hazards, since smaller children may be present.
Planning small activities to entertain the children keeps them content, while freeing the adults to fully enjoy their meals and conversations. When everyone at the table is occupied with age-appropriate entertainment, no one has to be frustrated or bored, resulting in a happier time for all. So, use these three ideas to bring peace to the table and enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner.
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