Christian Thanksgiving Games for Children

• Make up cards, some that say "THANKSGIVING" and others that have a picture on them (no words) of things children may be thankful for.

• Each child takes a turn reaching into the bag and pulling out a card.

• If the card says "THANKSGIVING" the child should express something or someone they are thankful for (parents, teachers, pet, favorite food, etc.)

• If they pull out a picture they show it to all and then express why we should be thankful for that item (food, clothes, trees, grass, stores, cars, etc.).

• This game is especially fun for preschoolers and their expressions of gratitude are priceless.

• Jot them down and give a list to the parents or post for all to read.                           

• Set the children in a circle and tell them that you are grateful for each one of them. Each of them possesses a unique personality that offers diversity as well as fun to the class.

• If your class is small enough the teacher may want to tell one praiseworthy thing about each child.

• After you have finished explain that each of them is going to have the opportunity to express something they particularly like about the person on their left and the person on their right.

• Just go one direction if time does not permit to go both ways.

• Remind them to be thoughtful about what they say... so and so is friendly to everyone, always follows through, is truthful, accepts people for who they are, has a great smile, etc.

• First, have the children make a piece of stationary with their art supplies. These can be as simple as tracing their hand for a sweet background or more elaborate if time permits.

• Second, have each child write a note/letter of "THANKS" to someone in their family and leave it on that person’s pillow Thanksgiving morning.

• Children could also be encouraged to do a kind deed along with leaving the note, such as: make that person’s bed, set the table, tell them that they love them. Kids can look forward to reporting on their "THANKSGIVING MISSION" when they return to school.

• Each person has before them a blank sheet of paper and sharpened pencil.

• Set a timer, according to what you think is best (two minutes max).

• Tell the children that when you say "GO" they should write down everything they can think of that can be explained in two words or less.

• When the timer goes off they each count how many they have.

• The person with the most should read their list and for every word that's the same each person should cross it off their list.

• Its fun to see what's on every person's list and what is unique to different individuals.

• Open it up to discussion and if you choose give a prize to the person who has the most unique answers.