Make the kids’ table cool

Putting a teen with the younger children helps keep things under control and makes them feel included instead of shunned.

Green decorating

Decorate with boughs and berries. There’s no need to buy fancy Thanksgiving decorations.

Head out to your yard with a pair of shears and find tree branches, bush stems loaded with berries, flowers whose seed heads have dried on the stem, and flowering grasses to fill tall vases, hollowed out pumpkins, and autumnal baskets.

Give thanks

It’s easy to get caught up in the little annoyances and stresses of the holidays, especially when traveling with kids.
Don’t forget to stop, relax and remember that you have a lot to be thankful for. On the road, in the airport, or on the plane, have each family member make a list of things they are thankful for this year and suddenly it will put your whole trip into a much different perspective.

Feeing tot

On Thanksgiving, don’t make tot wait until everyone sits down. If child is hungry, give them a snack. A hungry child equals a cranky child.

Thanksgiving food

If your child doesn’t typically eat turkey & cranberry sauce, they aren’t going to start on Thanksgiving Make other food choices available.

Bring the Spirit of Thanksgiving into Your Community

The story of Native Americans helping the Pilgrims survive in a new land is one that illustrates generosity and a sense of community.

Keeping kids busy for Thanksgiving

While preparing the Thanksgiving meal, let the kids choose a few of their favorite movies to watch while everyone is busy. Be sure to have some snacks readily available.

Baby’s First Turkey Dinner

For Baby’s First Turkey Dinner, run a little bit of turkey and sweet potatoes or squash through a food mill. Mix the turkey blend with applesauce until the desired consistency is reached. If your baby is old enough, add a little cranberry sauce to the mix.

Get involved in setting up for the holiday

Encourage everyone to get involved in setting up the holiday spread and take pride in creating a beautiful display. Ask kids to contribute to Thanksgiving table decor.

Rice Crispy Treat Turkey

Get ready for the Thanksgiving season and make Turkey-Shaped Rice Crispy Treats.

Feed the kids first

On Thanksgiving, feed the kids first! The last thing you want is to have to get up constantly while you are eating to supervise.

Give kids a job for Thanksgiving

Make the kids feel special and ask for their help setting the dinner table for Thanksgiving. This will give them a role to play in the festivities and keep them occupied.

Start the Thanksgiving day right

On Thanksgiving eve have your kids write out thank you notes to each of their siblings the night before and leave them at each person’s table-setting for breakfast.

Thanksgiving activity

Make a card for each family member that will be your guest for Thanksgiving this year. On each card, tell that person what you love most about them, and why you are thankful for them.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Thinking of attending the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City? It starts at 77th St., and heads south along Central Park West.

Shapes and colors on Thanksgiving

Talk about the colors on the Thanksgiving table: Orange sweet potatoes, green peas and red cranberry sauce.

Viewing area for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

One of the favorite viewing areas for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is along Central Park West, between 66th and 77th Streets.

Thanksgiving prep activity

While turkey is in oven, encourage kids to keep track by comparing time passed on oven timer to that on a clock; to reinforce time-telling

Photos on Thanksgiving

When taking photos of Thanksgiving, the key element is to capture the spirit of the occasion, that of family and togetherness

Baby’s first Thanksgiving dinner

For baby’s First Turkey Dinner, run a bit of turkey & sweet potatoes through a food mill. Blend with applesauce for the desired consistency