Holiday traditions strengthen family bonds and create emotional security and fond memories. Involving children in the preparation and celebration of holidays gives them a sense of belonging and importance.
Here are 10 Thanksgiving traditions you can begin this week with your kids.
1. Place an empty mason jar in the middle of your dining table.
This is your gratitude jar. Have each member of the family write one thing they are thankful for each day this week and place it in the jar. Before dinner, empty the jar and read each one aloud.
2. Make personalized place mats by making hand print turkeys and laminating them.
These add a lovely personal touch to your dinner table. Try these watercolor place cards.
3. Decorate together.
Hang handmade paper garlands and place your child's art work and crafts around the home. Try this stained glass window hand turkey! They will take pride in knowing their creations mean enough to put on display.
4. Volunteer together.
Help in a soup kitchen, visit the elderly, collect canned food for a food bank, take blankets and food to an animal shelter, or make boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Volunteering teaches children about compassion, empathy, gratitude, and community responsibility.
5. Make your child's favorite dish part of the menu.
Who says you can't have a side of spaghetti? Bonus – if you have a picky eater, you won't spend the meal fussing over peas.
Related Article: A Season of Thanks
6. Do a month of good deeds together.
Show your child that little acts of kindness go a long way. Give a few dollars to the needy, buy someone a cup of coffee, hold the door open for someone, load someone's groceries for them – all of these things set a great example of kindness and compassion that your children will benefit from.
Related Article: Ways to Show Thanks This Thanksgiving!
7. Let your child be in charge of one dessert.
Whether they get to help mix and then frost the cupcakes or bake and decorate cookies, they'll enjoy having a hand in preparing the food.
8. Start an annual family Thanksgiving game.
Are you up for a board game tournament or perhaps a game of football? This could be a nice way to burn off those extra calories after dinner or to relax and bond after the hustle and bustle of the day.
9. Take an annual family photo.
This is one of those rare holidays when the whole family often joins together. Take this opportunity to snap a photo of your children with their extended family members – photos they are sure to cherish in years to come.
10. Pick a movie to be your Annual Thanksgiving Special.
At the end of the day, pop some popcorn and settle in under a cozy blanket to unwind and watch a favorite film together.