Thanksgiving is a wonderful, warm family holiday, but it can be trying for kids, and especially taxing for kids (and adults) with sensory challenges. Your child might have a meltdown right when you’re carving the turkey. Your pie might burn, or you might forget to buy the sweet potatoes. Try to remember that Thanksgiving isn’t about perfection for anyone, it’s about being together as a family and starting some fun, simple family traditions together.
Keep your expectations low and try to have a few fun activities at the ready. If you need even more inspiration, check out our Holiday Fun Guide for additional Thanksgiving inspired fun.
Here are some ideas for keeping everyone happy this Thanksgiving:
1. Review in advance what will happen during the day.
Talk to your kids about where the holiday gathering will take place, who will be there, what activities to expect and what your child should do if he or she feels uncomfortable or needs some space.
2. Encourage your kids to move when they need to.
BEFORE asking your kids to sit nicely at the Thanksgiving dinner table, encourage them to burn off some energy. And also encourage them to take breaks when they need them. Introverted kids or kids with sensory issues may need to take a short break in a quiet, low stimulation part of the house.
3. Forget about a tablecloth.
Instead, cover the main table or kids’ table in butcher or craft paper. Fill mason jars with crayons and colored pencils, and let the kids decorate the table with their drawings. Everyone – from little children to grandparents – will have fun doodling and drawing turkeys.
4. Pick and choose your battles.
You might love turkey, gravy, and cranberry sauce, but your kids might not. Thanksgiving isn’t the time to force your child to eat something they don’t want to. However, you may want to have a discussion beforehand that it’s not polite to call food “gross” or “yucky”. Aunt Edna may think you’re overindulgent, but that’s far better than engaging in a food battle likely to lead to a meltdown.
5. Let the kids do a craft.
No need to get the glue gun out for these crafts. Think simple crafts using colorful pipe cleaners, stickers, glue dots and construction paper. Craft stores have easy, fun kits just for Thanksgiving. Pick up a few and place them on the table. This will keep the kids busy – while the adults finish their meal.
6. Send everyone outside to play.
A little fresh air is always good, for kids and adults. Once the kids have finished eating, send everybody outside for a fun game of touch football, an outdoor scavenger hunt or a quick walk around the block. We’ve even gone sledding on Thanksgiving…. kind of hoping not to do that this year, though!
7. Give the kids dessert duty.
Kids will have a blast decorating plain, frosted cupcakes with candy corn and other fall candies. Or, older kids can dip apples in a small crockpot filled with caramel. Have everything ready to go, let the kids take orders and serve everyone! That’s one less thing for you to do!
How do you avoid meltdowns and keep everyone happy on Thanksgiving Day at your house?
