Thanksgiving Traditions to Start With Your Young Family
Now that Halloween is long gone, you better believe my Christmas tree is already up, bright, and glowing in my living room. Before Bebe came around, I used to make fun of people who put up their Christmas tree in early November (or sometimes even before that). I thought it was so lame and consumeristic to dive right into Christmas festivities without giving Thanksgiving the respect it deserved. Now, I accept that all holidays are inherently consumeristic and don’t care. That being said, Thanksgiving is still a fun and meaningful holiday, even with a big, obnoxious Christmas in the background.
Thanksgiving is one of those special holidays that brings family and friends together to share a meal, reflect on gratitude, and create lasting memories. For young families, it can be especially meaningful as it’s an opportunity to establish traditions that will be passed down for years to come. Whether you're starting with little ones or blending in new generations, crafting a Thanksgiving tradition that feels personal and meaningful can add warmth and joy to the season.
Here are some fun, simple, and heartwarming Thanksgiving traditions to start with your young family:
Start a gratitude jar. A Thanksgiving tradition that’s both meaningful and interactive is the Gratitude Jar. This is an easy way for everyone—young children included—to reflect on what they’re thankful for. Before your meal, gather a jar and some slips of paper and pens. Ask everyone to write down one thing they’re thankful for and place it in the jar. As a family, you can read each note aloud, or keep them private and read them later, perhaps at the next Thanksgiving dinner. For younger kids, you can help them with the writing or even have them draw pictures to express their gratitude. The best part? You can keep the jar year after year, watching how your family’s gratitude grows and changes over time.
Create a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt. One of the best ways to get little ones excited about Thanksgiving is to make it a bit of an adventure. A Thanksgiving-themed scavenger hunt can be an exciting activity that gets everyone involved, whether you're at home or visiting extended family. You can create a list of items to find, such as things in the kitchen (a wooden spoon, a pumpkin, a can of cranberry sauce) or around the house (fall leaves, a turkey decoration, a cozy blanket). For younger children, you could use pictures instead of words. This is a great way to keep the kids entertained while the grown-ups finish up their meal preparations. Plus, it can be a fun way to teach kids about fall traditions, foods, and the spirit of the holiday.
Have a “Thankful” table. Incorporate gratitude into your meal with a "thankful" table. Set aside a small portion of the dining table (or a separate table entirely) where everyone can write or draw something they’re thankful for. For young kids, you can make this simpler by having them dictate their gratitude and write it down for them, or use stickers, stamps, or colorful markers for a bit of extra fun. If you want to make this a keepsake, you can even turn the tablecloth into a canvas by having everyone write on it throughout the day. Each year, you can pull it out, remember the things you’ve written in the past, and add new entries to it, turning it into a beautiful, growing record of your family’s gratitude.
Bake together. Cooking and baking as a family can be one of the most cherished traditions you build. Thanksgiving is the perfect occasion to get your little ones involved in the kitchen. From making turkey-shaped cookies to helping with the mashed potatoes, kids love feeling like they’ve contributed to the meal. Even if you don’t have a ton of time, you can make simple treats together, like a batch of pumpkin muffins or a pie. Start small with tasks that match their skill level—stirring, adding ingredients, or decorating cookies. Not only will it teach them about cooking and baking, but it’s also an opportunity to bond while enjoying the smells and sounds of Thanksgiving.
Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This iconic tradition can become a fun and festive part of your Thanksgiving morning, especially for young kids who will be fascinated by the giant balloons and lively performances. Whether you watch it on TV or, if you’re lucky, even in person, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade can set the tone for the day. It’s a colorful way to kick off the holiday, and for kids, it's an exciting way to experience the magic of Thanksgiving through music, floats, and characters they recognize. If watching the parade at home, you can even make it a special event by letting your kids wear their pajamas to breakfast, sipping hot cocoa or apple cider, and getting cozy as the parade rolls on. The excitement is sure to build as the parade nears its end, leading up to the moment when Santa Claus makes his grand entrance!
Set up a family photo booth. Capture memories by setting up a Thanksgiving photo booth at home. This is a super fun idea for young families who may have lots of little ones and extended family members around. Get some props, like turkey hats, funny glasses, or homemade signs that say “Give Thanks.” Encourage your kids to pose with silly expressions, or gather everyone for a group photo to look back on for years to come. You can even make this a yearly tradition by printing out the best photo from each year and keeping it in a scrapbook or frame. As the kids grow, it will be amazing to see how they’ve changed over the years and how the family traditions evolve.
Have a family movie night. After all the turkey and pumpkin pie, a cozy family movie night can be a perfect way to wind down the evening. Choose a family-friendly movie that everyone can enjoy, perhaps something lighthearted and festive like A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving or The Wizard of Oz. Pop some popcorn, cuddle up on the couch, and enjoy some quality time together. This can also become a special way to transition from Thanksgiving to the holiday season.
Give back as a family. Teaching your children about kindness and gratitude goes beyond what’s on the dinner table. Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity to instill the values of generosity and giving. Whether it’s donating food to a local pantry, volunteering at a soup kitchen, or simply helping a neighbor, finding a way to give back can become an impactful tradition for your family. You can involve your children by letting them pick out food items to donate, creating a care package, or participating in a community service project. It’s a beautiful way to show them that Thanksgiving isn’t just about what we have, but also about sharing with others who are in need.
The Turkey Trot (or Family Walk). If you’re feeling active, many communities have a "Turkey Trot" on Thanksgiving Day—a fun, family-friendly 5k run or walk. If that’s not an option where you live, simply take a stroll around the neighborhood after your meal. A family walk is a nice way to get outside, burn off some of those extra calories, and enjoy the crisp fall air (or the humid, muggy air if you live in Florida like I do). It’s also a quiet time to reflect together and make memories away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday.
Storytelling or sharing memories. One of the most powerful ways to connect as a family is by sharing stories. Invite grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives to tell stories from their own Thanksgivings when they were young. You can encourage your kids to share any fun or funny memories they have, even if they’re just little ones. For families with young children, it’s an opportunity to teach them about their heritage and the traditions that have shaped your family.
Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, connection, and family. As you begin or continue your own traditions, take time to reflect on what matters most: spending quality time with loved ones, making memories, and passing down values of kindness, generosity, and thankfulness. Whether your traditions are simple or elaborate, the key is to make them meaningful to you and your family.
So, gather your loved ones close, start a new tradition, and enjoy the moments that will become cherished memories in years to come. Happy Thanksgiving!
XOXO, Alexis.