Thanksgiving Sanity: 10 Tips for Keeping Kids Entertained While Prepping for the Big Meal

We all know it is no easy feat cooking for a football sized family on Thanksgiving. Trust me growing up as a sibling of 7 I can speak from personal experience. My mother did our families' meal for years and now I am passing down these simple and fun tips and tricks to keep your little ones busy. You can thank me later!

1. **Craft Station:** Set up a crafts station for your little ones. Provide them with materials like construction paper, crayons, glue, glitter, and feathers to create Thanksgiving-themed crafts. They can make turkeys, pilgrims, or even a gratitude tree. You can even help them in between cook times.

2. **Thanksgiving Movie Marathon:** My mother was famous for this one. Its never too early to get in the holiday spirit!!! Organize a movie marathon of Thanksgiving-themed films or Christmas movies and cartoons. This will keep them entertained for hours while you're busy in the kitchen. Some of our favorites were Babes in Toy Land, Wizard of Oz, and Christmas Story. Oh the classics!

3. **Scavenger Hunt:** Create a scavenger hunt with Thanksgiving-themed items. This could include things like leaves, acorns, pine cones, or even items associated with the holiday like canned cranberry sauce or a turkey baster! Not only will it keep the little ones entertained, but they will also be helping you get items to the kitchen.

4. **Cookie Decorating:** Bake some simple sugar cookies in advance and let the kids decorate them. Provide them with icing, sprinkles, and other toppings. This could also double as a dessert for later!

5. **Board Game Tournament:** Set out a variety of board games for the kids to play. This will keep them occupied and can also encourage some healthy competition.

6. **Thanksgiving Story Time:** Have a selection of Thanksgiving-themed books available for the kids to read and if there is an older sibling have the older sibling read to the younger ones, it will create lasting memories for them and they will look up to their older siblings.

7. **Outdoor Games:** If the weather permits, encourage the kids to play outdoor games. Classic games like tag, hide and seek, or even a game of football can burn off some energy. My mom used to literally have us run circles around the house, ha! Smart lady!!!

8. **Thanksgiving Parade:** If your family enjoys watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade, this can be a great distraction. Set it up on the TV for the kids to enjoy while you cook. The large float balloons, Mariah singing on key hopefully and the dancers will have them entertained for hours.

9. **Helping Hands:** Depending on their age, children can help with simple tasks in the kitchen like mashing potatoes or stirring the gravy. This can make them feel involved and also give you a helping hand. My mom used to have us help her mix. then we could lick the spoon as a reward. Shhhh.

10. **DIY Photo Booth:** Set up a DIY photo booth with props and let the kids have fun taking pictures. This can also create some great memories of the day. Funny glasses and themed signed along with a boa will keep them entertained for a long time, hopefully long enough to get everything safely our to the table without any accidents!

Remember, the key is to plan activities that are age-appropriate and safe for the kids. This way, you can cook in peace while the kids are having fun. Happy Thanksgiving!