Thanksgiving Activities for Toddlers: A Complete Gratitude, Friendship & Sharing Lesson Plan

Thanksgiving offers a special opportunity to introduce toddlers to values that will shape their character for years to come — gratitude, friendship, and sharing. This complete Thanksgiving lesson plan is designed for parents, preschool teachers, and caregivers who want to combine meaningful learning with festive fun.

Why Teach Gratitude Early

Toddlers are naturally observant and empathetic. Teaching gratitude at an early age helps them develop emotional awareness, strengthen social connections, and cultivate kindness. Thanksgiving is the ideal setting to help young children understand appreciation not just for food and family, but for everyday moments of love, care, and friendship.

Thanksgiving Circle Time

Theme Discussion

Begin the day with a simple conversation to introduce the concept of gratitude. Ask open-ended questions such as:

• “What are you thankful for today?”

• “Who do you like to share your toys with?”

• “How can we show kindness to our friends?”

Incorporate age-appropriate storybooks that illustrate thankfulness and sharing. Excellent choices include Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson and Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland.

Song and Movement

Sing familiar tunes like If You’re Thankful and You Know It. Add verses that encourage acts of kindness such as “give a hug,” “help a friend,” or “share your snack.” These songs build both language and social skills while reinforcing the lesson’s themes.

Thanksgiving Craft Ideas for Toddlers

1. Thankful Handprint Turkey

Help each child create a turkey using their handprint. On each feather, assist them in drawing or dictating something they are thankful for. Display these turkeys to create a classroom gratitude wall.

2. Friendship Bracelets

Provide large beads or pasta for children to make bracelets. Encourage them to gift their creations to classmates or family members to represent friendship and generosity.

3. Paper Plate Sharing Pie

Cut a paper plate into slices and invite children to decorate each piece with drawings of things they like to share—snacks, toys, hugs, or stories. When reassembled, the “pie” becomes a visual reminder of the joy of sharing.

Thanksgiving Games and Activities

Pass the Pumpkin

A Thanksgiving twist on a classic game. Play music and have children pass around a small pumpkin. When the music stops, the child holding the pumpkin shares something they are thankful for.

Turkey Feather Hunt

Hide paper feathers around the room. On each feather, write a simple kindness action like “say thank you,” “help a friend,” or “give a high-five.” Each time a child finds a feather, they perform the action.

Snack Time Sharing Activity

Transform snack time into a meaningful sharing exercise. Serve snacks family-style and encourage children to pass bowls, offer food to others, and use polite phrases such as “please” and “thank you.” Discuss how sharing food is one way families and friends express love during Thanksgiving.

Gratitude Reflection

Conclude the day with a group gratitude activity. Create a “Gratitude Tree” using a large poster or paper tree trunk. Provide small leaves made of construction paper and have each child share something they’re thankful for before attaching it to the tree. This simple ritual helps children verbalize appreciation and reflect on the day’s lessons.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving is more than a holiday—it’s a chance to nurture thankfulness, generosity, and connection in young children. Through simple, engaging activities, toddlers can begin to understand the joy of giving, the warmth of friendship, and the importance of gratitude. Use this lesson plan to create a memorable Thanksgiving experience filled with learning, love, and appreciation.