These free Thanksgiving worksheets will help you teach and reinforce the history of Thanksgiving in the USA. Each printable is geared toward learning and holiday-themed fun!
Thanksgiving is often an overlooked holiday as people focus on Christmas and the New Year, but let’s change that this year and put the focus where it deserves to be! I have a lot of great Thanksgiving worksheets for kids, so be sure to check them all out!
In addition to all the fun printables I have included below, take some time to discuss the why of this Holiday. It’s fun and a great bonding experience to talk to your children about being thankful for the little things.
How do I communicate the importance of Thanksgiving to kids?
Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey and pie—it’s a day to teach kids about gratitude, togetherness, and respect for others’ stories. When you keep it simple, hands-on, and heartfelt, the meaning will stick.
Start with the Story
Explain that Thanksgiving began as a way to celebrate a good harvest and to give thanks for what people had.
For older kids, you can add more historical context about how sharing and gratitude were central to the first celebration.
Focus on Gratitude
Make the heart of Thanksgiving about being thankful, not just about food or shopping.
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Have kids name three things they’re thankful for.
Create a “Thankful Tree” or gratitude jar where everyone adds notes leading up to the holiday.
Highlight Family and Togetherness
Explain that Thanksgiving is about spending time with loved ones and showing care through small acts, such as helping in the kitchen, setting the table, or making a card for someone special.
Make It Hands-On
Kids learn best by doing!
Cook together – Let them mash potatoes or help stir pie filling.
Crafts – Make thankful placemats or paper turkeys with gratitude feathers.
Acts of kindness – Donate canned goods or make cards for neighbors.
End with Reflection
After Thanksgiving dinner or activities, talk about what everyone enjoyed most and what they learned. Encourage kids to think of ways to show gratitude year-round—like saying thank you, helping a friend, or sharing.
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I’ve also included a few fun activities that are Thanksgiving-themed, too. Because why not? They’re a great way to keep the kids learning and having fun!
Fal Printables
1
Find the Letter G is for Gourds
These Find the Letter G is for Gourds worksheets are a great way to reinforce the letter g to your preschooler.
This set of Early Reader Printables includes a sheet of beginning sounds and a sheet of ending sounds in an adorable Thanksgiving theme to help your child with Phonics!
Think outside the box when using these P is for Pilgrim Letter Find Worksheets. Your preschooler can work on shapes and colors while practicing the alphabet.
Same or Different is a very important concept for children to learn. Stick with the Thanksgiving theme and print out a few of these Thanksgiving Same or Different worksheets for your children.
Math, a hated concept. We parents panic when we have to teach it. However, these greater than and less than thanksgiving sheets will help your children master this concept.
Name Practice for Preschoolers (Thanksgiving Themed Printable)
This Name Practice Printable from Crystal and Company is in a fun Thanksgiving Dinner theme that you and your early elementary aged children will get a kick out of.
We may call them Native Americans now, but that isn’t the history. As you explain the History of Thanksgiving, be sure your printed worksheet includes these I is for Indians printable worksheets.
Do you know why corn is an important staple of our Thanksgiving Dinner? You and your older children can look that up, but don’t leave out the little ones. Keep their little hands busy with these C is for Corn find a letter worksheets while you educate them.
There are two versions of these Thanksgiving Crossword Puzzles. You can print them with or without a word bank. That makes them great for kids of all ages.
This Thanksgiving Coloring Sheet from Crafts on Sea is sure to delight your children. I would think girls, especially, will love coloring this and will want to frame it or at least hang it on the fridge.
Simple Fun for Kids has some free Thanksgiving coloring pages that are more geared towards toddlers and preschoolers. They are bigger images with larger coloring areas.
Over 40 Thanksgiving Activities for School Aged Children are sure to keep you and your children learning and having fun over the week prior to Thanksgiving.
