Thanksgiving Ideas for Festivities

Hi Team ELM!

Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day are right around the corner and we hope you are getting your plans in order! In case you are looking for some fun activities to do with your family, we have some great ideas for you!


1) Coloring Pages! - You can print out pages that your children can color and use to reflect on what they are grateful for this season!

2) Movie Marathon! 

3) Cooking with Family! - Use this time together to teach your kids some family or "go-to" recipes you love to make during this time of year! There is nothing like spending some quality time with your children and passing on family traditions.

4) Native American History - You can also spend some time learning about the "Native American" side of this holiday. There are many stories to learn, recipes to try, and ways to volunteer that includes the Native American community!  "The Native American Side Of The Thanksgiving Menu"

5) Thanksgiving Day Parade - You can participate or watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

6) Grateful Jar - In the next few days leading up to the holiday, have your family members drop notes of what they are grateful for in a jar. On the day of, you can pull them all out and read them together! (Especially fun for little kids!)

7) Walk or Hike - Go on a walk or hike to appreciate the fall foliage! Some suggestions are the Appalachian Trail, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area, the Ramapo Mountain State Forest, the Cheesequake State Park, the Sourland Mountain Preserve, the Cooper River Park, and the Wharton State Forest!

8) Volunteer - This is a perfect time to teach your children about the importance of volunteering and giving back to your community. As they reflect on the things they are thankful for, they can pay it forward by volunteering at a soup kitchen, food shelter, or participating in programs like Team ELM's THANKSGIVING DONATION BAGS!

9) DIY Decorations - In preparation for the holidays, you can arrange a fall-themed flower bouquet/wreath by yourself or with your children! This applies to any other decorations you may want to include - decorated pumpkins, a cornucopia, a "Happy Thanksgiving" sign, and much more!

10) Photo Time! - Take a Fall or Thanksgiving photoshoot with your family to include in your album (or maybe start a new album for fall photos!) You can take some time every year to look back on those memories and make new ones as well!

11) Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt! - You can make little goodie bags or use items like small plastic pumpkins (or other fall vegetables) to hide around your house and have the children go on a hunt! You can also create a series of games for the kids to play such as a potato sack race, candy corn ring toss, turkey tag, or Thanksgiving Bingo!

Whatever you do this holiday, we hope you have a wonderful break! Thank you as always for your continued support!