Thanksgiving Kids' Table Ideas That Keep Everyone Busy (Screen-Free)

Note: links to Party Puzzle Kits products are our own products.

The kids usually finish eating long before the grown-ups do. Here are simple, low-cost ways to keep the kids' table happy and thinking for the next half hour, using things you already have.

Before dinner (5 minutes of setup)

Cover the table with butcher paper or a cheap paper tablecloth and put out a cup of crayons. Write a few prompts on it: "Draw your dream pie," "List 5 things you're thankful for," "Draw the turkey escaping."
Put a riddle or a joke under each plate. Kids read theirs aloud before eating.
Use place cards with a question on the back ("What's the best food on this table?") so seating doubles as a conversation starter.

During the wait for dessert

Thankful alphabet: go around the table and name something you're thankful for that starts with A, then B, and so on. Kids who get stuck can ask the table for help.
Word race: everyone gets a slip with THANKSGIVING written on it and 5 minutes to make as many words as they can from its letters.
Pass-the-story: one kid starts a story with "The turkey woke up and..." and each person adds one sentence.
A table mystery: a short puzzle game where the kids work together to solve a "case" is a great way to fill 30-45 minutes. Keep the story silly and nobody-in-trouble, give each puzzle a clue word, and let the final answer point to a real hiding place for a treat.

Tips that make it work

Mix ages: pair a younger child with an older cousin so nobody gets left out.
Keep a grown-up "hint helper" nearby, but let kids try for a couple of minutes before giving a hint.
End with dessert. A solved puzzle that leads to the pie is hard to beat.

If you'd rather print something ready-made, our Thanksgiving Table Puzzle Pack ($4.99) has a read-aloud mystery, 6 linked puzzles, hint cards, an answer key, and 6 riddle place cards for ages 7-12.

Want to try one first? Download our free 2-page sample puzzle or browse the shop.