This fun Thanksgiving activity for kids would be fun to try at home with your little ones or at school during a life skills or independent living lesson!
It’s almost that time again…mashed potatoes, cranberries, sweet potatoes – TURKEY! Hooray for Thanksgiving!
Are you on the lookout for a fun and easy Thanksgiving activity for kids? This game will get kids in the spirit of the season and they’ll learn the all-important skill of setting the table!
What You’ll Need
-Printable placemats
-Printable spinner
-Plastic or regular silverware
-Small paper or plastic plates
-Small paper or plastic cups
What to do
Print and laminate the placemats and game spinner (laminating will ensure that everything will hold up for multiple rounds of the game).
Punch a brad fastener through the middle of the spinner, folding the prongs so that the head of the fastener sticks up from the paper a little bit. Tape the back of the fastener to the back of the spinner so it stays in place and pop a paper clip over the head of the fastener to finish your spinner.
Provide each child with a printable placemat and place all of your dishes and silverware in the middle of the table.
The object of the game is simple – who can be the first to fill up their placemat with all of the dishes and silverware? Take turns spinning and placing the correct item on your placemat.
How to change it up
-Once everyone’s placemats are set, why not have a little snack?
-Set out multiple forks, spoons, and butter knives and have kids sort them into a silverware tray for even more practice with functional kitchen skills!
-Make these cute Thanksgiving crafts for kids to use as centerpieces for your table!
For Virtual Sessions
Ask the parent/caregiver to have plates, cups, forks, knives, and spoons on hand for the session. Spin the online spinner and have kids set their table depending on which item they spin! Depending on their age and skill level, they can complete one place setting or they can try to set the whole table for their family!
Click here to use the online spinner!
Skill Areas Addressed
Visual motor integration, social skills, grasp, visual perceptual skills
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I LOVE this! My two oldest set the table as one of their household paid jobs, and they need some lessons on where the items go. They will have fun with this too. Going to share!
Hi Jaimi! So glad you liked this game – and thanks so much for sharing! :)
Hi – I looked at your diagram and the knife & spoon were reversed.
This is awesome! Can not wait to try this activity!
Love the placemats. Just wish the knife and spoon were in the correct order on the right side of the plate. Such a nice idea, so sad I can’t use them.
Can not wait to try this activity! Thanks!