No matter what your children's age, you can make Thanksgiving kid friendly this year. Some of these ideas might be one time only, and others might be a new tradition.
Get some paper to color and draw Thanksgiving themes. If the right sizie, they can be place mats. Get the kids to personalize them for everyone eating with you, or just make their own. If they are old enough to hold a crayon and scribble, they can make one of these. Then, get plain napkins and let them decorate them also. Older kids can actually make works of art, and any age will have fun with this art project.
Let the older kids set the table. If you normally use fine china, use some fancy paper plates. If you usually use throw-away, then use your good china. Teach them the proper way to set a table and if you aren't sure anymore, look it up first. A great way to pass on a bit of elegance. Let the little ones place the napkins or silverware.
If your children are old enough, assign each child a dish to prepare. Take them to the grocery store and let them find the ingredients and check out. This might include an economics lesson or two. When you assign a dish, know that it might be a catastrophe. Teach them to read recipes closely and measure precisely. They will learn the oven and what time can or can't do to a dish. If you have enough of everything, then a blown dish won't be a big deal but a learning experience.
When planning the meal, remember the youngest children might need a dish just for them, mac and cheese comes to mind. Try to stimulate eating different things, by including one new dish to the family table Thanksgiving feasts can never be too large.
Don't forget to include the kids in clean up. It is important to learn this now for the future. Happiy eating!
