Thanksgiving Paper Plate Craft for Kids
Kids will get into the spirit of Thanksgiving with this simple paper plate craft and pretend play. This activity is inspired by a lively children's book about thanksgiving by Natasha Wing.
This post contains affiliate links. Privacy and Disclosure
Food plays an important part in Thanksgiving celebrations. We shop for seasonal veggies at a market; we decorate the table with autumn leaves; we bake pumpkin pies and other favorite desserts.
Special family events are made even more special by inviting kids to participate in the preparations. There are lots of ways kids can help: washing vegetable; rolling out pastry dough; folding napkins; stirring the lemonade.
A kids craft is a fun way to extend the Thanksgiving celebrations. This craft and role play activity was inspired by The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing. The book is a fun depiction of a family gathering to prepare and eat a meal together.
The story is told in rhyming verse in the style of The Night Before Christmas. The colorful illustrations by Tammie Lyon show the family laughing, playing and working together amidst the happy chaos of preparing a scrumptious turkey dinner.
Read the book, then make this Thanksgiving craft and take part in some creative role play. You and the kids can enjoy the pretend food along with the real food for a happy and fun Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving paper plate activity
This art and dramatic play activity is mess-free and easy to put together. It's a fun option to have on hand during a busy Thanksgiving Day when kids need an independent activity.
Set out craft supplies and allow kids to explore the materials in this kid-led activity.
The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing
1. Make the paper plate craft.
Cut out food pictures from store flyers or magazines.
Arrange food pictures on a paper plate, then glue in place.
Engage kids in conversation to support language skills.
- Identify the foods
- Name the color of each food..
- Comment on foods liked or disliked
- Discuss how foods are prepared.
2. Role play food preparation.
Draw and cut out pictures of foods on card stock or cardboard for sturdy cut-outs.
Role play preparing the food.
- cook the food in a saucepan
- place the food on serving trays
- arrange food on plates.
Developmental skills, including language, social, fine motor and cognitive, are strengthened through a variety of hands-on opportunities. Children benefit from real life activities such as meal preparation, setting a table or washing dishes, along with playtime experiences like this one with a story book and related art activity.
Have fun with this simple Thanksgiving Day activity. You'll engage early learning skills, along with some amazing creativity.
Enjoy the pretend food - and the real food! - with family and friends.
The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing
