Thanksgiving Kids Table Ideas (Cheap and Easy)
By Cedar & Ledger
A good kids table keeps children happy long enough for the grown-ups to finish eating. You do not need to spend much. Here is a simple plan that works for toddlers through tweens.
Set up the table
- Paper on top. Cover the table with kraft paper or a cheap paper roll. Kids can draw on it all meal.
- A cup of crayons per two kids. Fewer fights than one big pile.
- Name cards. Kids love finding their seat. Let them decorate their own card.
- Sturdy dishes. Plastic plates and cups with lids for the youngest.
- Seat a "captain." An older kid or a patient teen helps keep order.
Quiet activities at the table
- Coloring pages and turkey drawings
- Word searches and simple mazes
- "I spy" around the room
- A thankful list: each kid writes or draws 3 things
- Hand-turkey tracing (all you need is paper and crayons)
- Tic-tac-toe on the paper tablecloth
Food kids actually eat
- A small plate of the main meal, plus one "safe" food each kid likes
- Rolls, plain pasta or mac and cheese
- Cut fruit and veggie sticks with dip
- Serve kids first so they are not waiting hungry
Games after dinner
- Thanksgiving bingo while the adults clear the table
- Charades with easy words (turkey, pie, football, nap)
- A short scavenger hunt around the house
- Freeze dance to a holiday playlist
Budget tips
- Use what you have: printer paper, crayons and a dollar-store tablecloth go a long way.
- Print activities at home instead of buying activity books.
- Skip favors. A colored page to take home is enough.
Quick checklist
- ☐ Paper tablecloth or roll
- ☐ Crayons in cups
- ☐ Name cards
- ☐ 2 to 3 printed activities per kid
- ☐ Kid-friendly side dish
- ☐ One after-dinner game
Want it done for you? Our Thanksgiving activity pages for kids are printable at home: coloring, puzzles and games that fit right on the kids table.
Related template: Thanksgiving Activity Pages for Kids. Also see: Thanksgiving Family Games Pack
See all Cedar & Ledger templates
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Frequently asked questions
What does this guide cover?
Cheap, easy Thanksgiving kids table ideas: paper tablecloth setup, quiet activities, kid-friendly food, after-dinner games and a checklist.
Do I need a template to do this?
No. A notebook or a sheet you build yourself works fine. Cedar & Ledger also sells spreadsheet templates (I'd earn from a purchase); see the template box at the top of this page.
Is this financial advice?
No. It's general information with example numbers only, not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Use your own numbers and check anything important with a qualified professional or the official source.