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If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, I think it’s a fantastic idea to get the kids involved! Not only will they love participating in traditions, but it will help them learn how to host and care for guests!
Plus this will help keep them from getting bored. Kids love to be where we are and they really love to help!
Here’s some ideas of how you can get kids involved. These ideas can be used for little ones all the way up to your college kids!
Have them make place cards or placemats
This is a great idea to do ahead of time. Put them to work making place cards or placemats for the table.
Have them make the centerpiece
Here’s another idea you can do before the big day. Work together to make a centerpiece for the table or just let them be creative if you’re having a less formal meal!
Make them the entertainment
This suggestion comes straight from my kid! Let them come up with a dance, a play (the story of Thanksgiving would be fun) or something else that gets their creative juices flowing. They can entertain guests while you get everything done! If they’re not into performing, they can help facilitate a game or trivia contest!
Let them mix up a punch
This will help them learn basic recipe management like measuring, following instructions and hygiene. Put it in cute cups and let them serve the guests!
Let them cook their own no-bake dessert without help
This can even be a full-on baked dessert if your littles are actually big! Give them the ingredients and the recipe and then hands off. Let them manage cooking a dish from start to finish. It’s a confidence-building activity plus making a dessert will aid to the excitement.
Let them be your sous chef
Depending on how old your kiddos are, there are so many ways they can help in the kitchen. Mashing potatoes, mixing mac and cheese or even chopping vegetables can be a huge help and allow them to learn how to make a meal from start to finish!
Have them make the table
This is one of my favorite things to pass off to the kids. Not only does it take a task off my list, but it keeps them busy for a while. It’s adorable how much pride they put into making the table perfect!
Have them pass out drinks or hors d’oeuvres
Give your guests an extra special treat with drinks and hors d’oeuvres before the meal! This is a great way to get the kiddos to move around and talk to everyone, plus it helps them really step into the host role!
Have them fill cups with ice
The last step before the meal! Pre-filling cups with ice will let kids see how to serve guests more efficiently. It also gives kids a simple task to do, keeping them busy while adults handle more complex last-minute details.
Bottom line, getting kids involved in hosting Thanksgiving teaches them responsibility, teamwork, and creativity while making them feel valued and like a vital part of family traditions!
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