Thanksgiving Activities for the Family

Being thankful for all things should be something that happens multiple times during each and every day, but in November we have one day that Americans focus on being thankful. Colossians 3:15 says, "And always be thankful.."; 1 Thes. 5:18 says,"Be thankful in all circumstances."; Psalm 107:1says,"Give thanks to the Lord.." There are so many more wonderful words about thanksgiving. This month be intentional about teaching your kids to be thankful not just on Thanksgiving but each and everyday. Also, teach by example. Give thanks each and everyday for your family and your circumstances. The Lord is good and faithful to us all!

First, You need to decide how many days you want to count down with activities. Do you want to take the entire month of November or have 12 Days of Thankfulness
(start 12 days until Thanksgiving with day 12 being Thanksgiving).
It doesn't really matter, just choose the number of days that works for your family.

Next,create a Countdown to Thanksgiving.

Here are some ideas:
* Write daily Thankful activities on slips of papers that you then roll into scrolls and place into a decorated box or jar.
* Draw a tree or turkey on poster board. Then cut out leaves or feathers and write on each one a Thankful activity allowing your children to choose one each day to do.
* Number envelopes and fill with slips of paper that you have written daily activities on allowing your children to open one envelop each day.
* Make a paper chain out of strips of construction paper. Write a thankful activity on each slip of paper. Allow your kids to tear one off each day as they count down.

Finally, create some Thankful activities for you and your family to do each day of your Thanksgiving countdown.

Below you will find a list of activity ideas you can choose from or create your own ideas.

We are Thankful for our Grandparents
Call or send them an email saying how much you are thankful for them.

We are Thankful For our Missionaries
Send them a letter, email or care package to let them know you are praying for them.

We are Thankful for our Teachers
Make a thank you card or bake a treat to give to them

We are Thankful for our Fire fighters. Policemen, Doctors etc.
Deliver a basket of treats to them.

We are Thankful for our toys.
Clean out your toys and donate to a local shelter.

We are thankful for Daddy.
Do something nice or a chore for Daddy - Wash his car, take out the trash.

We are Thankful for Mommy
Do one extra chore today for her.

We are Thankful for our Clothes.
Clean out our clothes and donate clothing to a local shelter.

We are Thankful for our Sister(s).
Write a Thankful note or do a chore or something nice for her.

We are Thankful for our Brothers(s).
Write a Thankful note or do a chore or something nice for him.

We are Thankful for our friends.
Write a note, send an email, bake a special treat for them.

We are Thankful for our family.
Have a family game night.

We are Thankful for our food.
Collect food for your local shelter.

We are Thankful for our Eyes.
Watch a Movie together as a family.

We are Thankful For a Church to go to.
Volunteer to help at church this week or sign-up for a project.

We are Thankful for books.
Start a new book to read together as a family.

We are Thankful for our Neighbors.
Deliver a treat and note of thanks to their porch - play door bell ditch.

We are Thankful we are able to pray.
During dinner time prayer have each person pray one thing they are Thankful to God for.

We are Thankful for our Country.
Decide as a family another way yo will become ECO friendly.

We are Thankful we can write.
Write three things we are thankful for.

We are Thankful helpers.
Draw names of family members and do a secret chore for that person by tomorrow.

We are Thankful for our classmates.
Make blessing mix or another treat and give to your classmates.

We are Thankful for shoes.
Fill empty shoe boxes with items and donate to Operation Christmas Child.

We are Thankful for our pet.
Take them on a walk, clean their cage, play with them.

We are Thankful for our Military.
Make a care package to send to them or write a letter.

We are Thankful to be Thankful.
Make a Thankful box - all year the entire family can write what they are thankful for and then read them next Thanksgiving.

We are Thankful for our Car.
Go for a fall drive, visit a relative or friend.

We are Thankful for family memories.
Start a Thankful journal or scrapbook.

We are Thankful we can spell.
Spell out the word T-H-A-N-K-F-U-L. go around the table and ask each person to say one thing they're thankful for. The first person's answer must begin with "T." The second person's answer must begin with "H," and so on.

We are Thankful for our City.
Volunteer for a city clean-up project or other way you can serve your city.

We are Thankful for Thanksgiving Dinner.
Provide Thanksgiving dinner for a family in need or invite a family to join you.

Again, Give thanks each day yourself. Do it in front of your kids. Your example is the best way to teach them to be thankful and it is the best way to help you appreciate all the wonderful things and people God has given you.