How to Plan a Thanksgiving Party for Preschool

Holiday Activity Ideas for School and Daycare Teachers

Nov 3, 2009

Plan a Thanksgiving party in the preschool classroom for a very special holiday! Start with a special child made invitation, and plan fun activities and a healthy menu.

Holding a Thanksgiving party or holiday feast in the preschool classroom can be a fun way to celebrate this special time of the year. Plan ahead, and make sure to involve all of the children and parents throughout the process. This article contains ideas and suggestions for planning, organizing, and holding a Thanksgiving party in the preschool or daycare classroom.

Talking to Children About Thanksgiving

Do not simply assume that all of the children in the class are well versed on what Thanksgiving is or why it is celebrated. Try to frame a Thanksgiving discussion around familiar concepts such as sharing and giving thanks. This conversation may be aided by the use of a holiday themed picture book.

Additional pre-Thanksgiving discussion can focus on what each child may be thankful for. This may include giving thanks for loving parents, siblings, friends, or even a family pet.

Holiday Party Invitations

Two Thanksgiving party invitations can be sent home with the children. The first is a teacher written letter explaining the party and specific planning needs. This is not as much of an invitation as it is an informational letter.

The second invitation can be a more formal invite that is created by the children. Choose a theme such as Pilgrim hats, turkeys, or a cornucopia for the invitation. Gather paper and other art supplies such as markers, paints, or craft foam, and help the class to design unique invitations for family and friends.

Include important information on the invitation such as the party date, time, and location (classroom or elsewhere). To ensure that this vital information is easily readable it may be nest to type and print the specifics, and then allow the children to glue or tape this paper onto a more artistic creation.

Setting Up for the Class Thanksgiving Party

Before setting up for the holiday party, make sure that there is enough usable space for the class and special guests. If a classroom space is being used, be sure to provide adult sized seating for older guests. If there is not enough space in the classroom, try to secure a time in a shared lunch room or even gym/play room.

Decide upon an organized seating plan that allows both children and parents to sit together. If parents are present only as helpers (and not eating), try using familiar child seating arrangements such as those found at snack or lunch times.

Ask the children to help with room decorations. These can range from simple crayon and paper drawings of Thanksgiving pictures to more elaborate holiday themed projects. Additionally, invite the children to help with the table set up. Preschoolers can create special place setting name tags or placemats (that an adult can laminate).

Preschool Thanksgiving Party Menu and Activities

Try multiple activities during the holiday party. These may range from eating a holiday feast to arts and crafts. Select a variety of Thanksgiving themed food such as turkey, potatoes, cranberries, corn products, or pumpkin pie. Ask the parents for food donations, and be sure to inquire about allergies and intolerances.

After the class Thanksgiving feast has been eaten play holiday games, make a turkey craft, or hold a special story time. Other special party activities may include having a class play, sing along, or puppet show.

After the Thanksgiving party is over invite the children (and parents) to help with the clean up. This will help to teach the children a lesson in responsible behavior while concluding a fun day that has been filled with wonderful holiday memories.

The copyright of the article How to Plan a Thanksgiving Party for Preschool in Day Care is owned by Erica Loop. Permission to republish How to Plan a Thanksgiving Party for Preschool in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.