Step-by-Step Guide for the Top 3 Pre-K Thanksgiving Activities
Thanksgiving is such a refreshing time of year. The leaves have changed colors, the air turns cool (hopefully it does where you live anyways–not so much in SoCal!), and the smell of turkey fills the air. The tiny turkeys in your Pre-K are ready to join the holiday festivities too! Read on for a step-by-step guide to my top 3 favorite Pre-K Thanksgiving activities.
- Thanksgiving Bag Activity
- Thanksgiving Feather Hat
- Turkey Trot
Easy Step-by-Step Guide for 3 Favorite Pre-K Thanksgiving Activities
1. Thanksgiving Bag Activity
First up, turn your little learners into turkeys with this perfect Thanksgiving bag craft!
What You Need:
- Brown paper bag
- Scissors
- Templates for face pieces (with printing instructions in the resource!)
- Glue sticks
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Step 1: Cut the Bag into a Vest
Make dotted lines on one grocery bag (or all) as an easy visual guide so you can cut your class set in just a few moments.
Neck
Along the flat portion that is at the usual “bottom” of the bag and the very edge of the opposite side, you’ll cut a portion large enough for your students’ heads. Don’t cut too wide though–the remaining portion of the flat bottom will hang on your little ones’ shoulders to keep the bag on!
Reinforce the neck with clear tape to ensure the bag lasts for all of your planned Thanksgiving activities and doesn’t scratch little necks during wear.
Arms
Along the thinner sides of the bag, cut squares large enough for little arms to poke through comfortably.
Back
Cut from the bottom to the top along one of the wide side pieces so little ones can easily put on their Turkey Bag once it’s complete!
Once you’re finished cutting, you’re ready to include your kiddos in the fun! …(it’s also great to precut the bags so your little ones don’t have to wait and you’re not feeling super rushed with excited little ones waiting not so patiently nearby.)
Step 2: Add the Turkey Face
Differientiate this step based on how much time you have available and little ones’ skills.
Option 1: Print the shapes onto colored paper and precut them so they’re ready for little hands to use.
Option 2: Let students practice their fine motor skills by cutting and coloring each piece.
Use a glue stick to attach the shapes to the uncut larger side of the brown paper bag.
Don’t forget to write kiddos’ names on the bags for easy locating later on.
Step 3: Try Them On!
After the bags have dried for a bit, let little ones try them on!
*If your school uses a secure communication method with families, snap a few pictures to send to each child’s special grownup.
2. Thanksgiving Feather Hat
Next up, make Thanksgiving feather hats!
Include essential fine motor skills practice and following directions into your curriculum with this turkey craft.
What You Need:
- Template (find it here!)
- Glue sticks
How To:
Print on colored paper or print on white for students to color. Cut and glue together, then glue on a strip of paper for the headband.
This craft is perfectly low-prep during your busy holiday week! Easy-to-follow printing instructions are included with your purchase of this craft. It’s simple to prepare for students and includes the perfect amount of hands-on elements.
3. Turkey Trot
This final Pre-K Thanksgiving activity combines the first two activities and is so.much.fun!
Gather up your favorite little turkeys in their completed turkey bags and feather hats and HAVE A PARADE!
Step 1: Invite Families
Foster an increased home-school connection, and invite each child’s special grownup to watch your class’s Turkey Trot.
Send the invitation home two weeks in advance so that adults have time to request time off of work to be present.
To keep the time away from work minimal for adults and avoid everyone checking in at the office, have parents stand against a fence or in the parking lot as your class marches around the playground track or back and forth along the school’s breezeway.
Grab your FREE Turkey Trot invitation here!
Step 2: Trot Away!
Play two songs on repeat for 10 minutes. Encourage your favorite little turkeys to sing along, smile, march and wave just like they’re in a real parade.
Find two of our favorite songs in this post with a few fun other ways to celebrate Thanksgiving with your little ones.
This Turkey Trot will be the perfect culminatinating event in your Pre-K classroom before the special holiday!
Do you have other favorite Pre-K Thanksgiving activities? Send me a DM on IG to share your ideas with me!
You might also be interested in:
5 Fun Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Preschool
Using Snacks to Teach Names to Preschoolers
2 SIMPLE Pre-K Christmas Crafts
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