This year Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on November 24th . What is the true history of Thanksgiving in America—and whatever happened to the Pilgrims? What did George Washington intend Thanksgiving to be about? Find out some fun facts, trivia, and table talk!
History of Thanksgiving
Prior to the formal establishment of Thanksgiving in the United States(US), harvest festivals had been celebrated for centuries by Native Americans, with colonial services dating back to the late 16th century. The autumnal feasts celebrated the harvest of crops after a season of bountiful growth.
Hence, the idea of “thanksgiving” for the harvest is as old as time, with records from the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Native American cultures, too, have a rich tradition of giving thanks at harvesttime feasts, which began long before Europeans appeared on their soil. And well after the Pilgrims, for more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving have been celebrated by individual colonies and states.
Here are some Fun activities that we can do on Thanksgiving For Your Kids:
- About Family Heirlooms
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to ask Grandma about her China collection, or that quirky display of cast iron skillets on her kitchen wall. She’ll appreciate the conversation, and you’ll walk away with a newfound appreciation for your family’s most sentimental pieces.
2. Plan a Kid-Friendly Art n Craft
Get the little ones in on the fun of decorating the table! Cut out the turkey, arrange the napkin within it as pictured, then set out a few crayons and let the fun begin!
3. Play a Gratitude Game
Let guests spin to unveil six slices of life (Family, Friends, Travel, Home, Pets, Work), each of which is intended to conjure a memory for which they’re grateful.
4. Adorn Your Front Porch
Expecting company later? Make their greeting more festive by adding a few cosy touches to your front porch. Added bonus: a ladder of blankets will make post-dinner porch convoys even cosier!
5. Look at Family Photos
Take a stroll down memory lane with your older relatives by paging through family photo albums. After all, Thanksgiving is nothing if not the perfect time to share stories from past events both big and small.
6. Gather ‘Round a Fire Pit
A family gathering around a roaring fire is pretty much a no-brainer on a crisp fall night. Who wants smokes!
7. Set Up a Backyard Tailgate
It’s football season! Celebrate your family’s favourite team the old-fashioned way with a pop-up tailgate in the driveway at home.
8. Go Leaf Peeping
Pile the fam in the car and cruise around town looking for the most vibrant fall colour. Or turn the outing into a colour-themed scavenger hunt, and see whether you can find everything from yellow mums to red maples.
9. Take in the Views
There’s something to be said for gathering as a family and pausing for a moment to appreciate the beauty of your surroundings—and the people you’re sharing them with.
10. Hunt for Mini Pumpkins
Why leave all that hiding and seeking to Easter? Plant miniature pumpkins around the yard and challenge kids to see how many they can pick in a predetermined amount of time.
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