Eco-Play: Thanksgiving Edition
Thanksgiving is almost here and it’s probably looking a bit different than expected this year. No matter how you will be spending Thanksgiving, we encourage you to set aside some time to turn off the devices and connect as a family.
There are so many great activities that connect to this time of year. Here are some of our favorites:
Turkey Feather Counting
What you need:
Toilet paper roll
Construction paper
Scissors
How to do it:
Wrap the toilet paper roll in brown construction paper and add on a little paper turkey face. (Pilgrim hat is optional.) Cover the holes of the toilet paper roll with paper as well. Carefully add some slits around the back of the toilet paper roll so that the paper feathers have spots to go.
Cut out feathers from various colors. (You can let your kids choose the colors or go with yellow, orange, brown, and red to keep it in the fall theme.)
Place the feathers next to the turkey for your child. We recommend modeling the activity at least once so your child understands the process. Count each feather as your child adds it in!
Hand Turkeys
What you need for paint version:
Child safe paint
Construction paper
Decoration to add later!
What you need for paper version:
Sharpie or other marker
Construction paper
Scissors
Glue stick
Decoration to add later!
How to do the paint version:
Have your child select the color of construction paper they want. (We recommend white so that the color can be done with paint. If your child wants to choose a colored paper, we recommend using white paint.)
Cover your child’s hand in paint and put a hand print on the paper.
Once the paint is dry, start decorating!
How to do the paper version:
Have your child choose one color of paper for the turkey and one for the base.
Place your child’s flattened hand on the paper for the turkey and outline with the marker.
Cut out the turkey and glue to the base.
Have your child start adding on the decorations!
Create a Thanksgiving Garland
What you need:
Your choice of items - we recommend gathering fall leaves, acorns, or dehydrating some orange slices
Twine
Scissors
How to do it:
Gather your items together. This is a great family activity and a lovely reason to get outside!
Once all of your items are prepared, cut the twine to the desired length.
Add the items onto the twine. For some (like the acorns), you may need to pre-cut some holes to make it easier or have a needle available to pull the twine through.
Hang up your garland and enjoy!
Gratitude Pumpkins
What you need:
Any uncarved pumpkins that are still in good shape
Sharpie
How to do it:
Each day as a family, make note of what you are grateful for.
Have an adult or older child write each thing on the pumpkin.
Turkey Sticker Match
What you need:
Construction paper
Tape
Colored dot stickers
How to do it:
Cut out a turkey and feathers (each a different color) from your construction paper.
Assemble the turkey and hang up on the wall.
Place the stickers with the activity and model how to match the stickers to the right feather.
Allow your child to begin matching!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram for more activity ideas and share yours in the comments below!