Thanksgiving Day Celebration

I usually celebrate Thanksgiving with the children singing a few songs for their families, followed by a Thanksgiving pot luck feast. This year I am trying something totally different. Most of the children's siblings will be out of school so I've created a family fun event. I will have four colored teams. The children in my class will be pulling a colored paper out of a bowl on Monday to indicate which team their family is on (familiy members are encouraged to be on the team and participate in the games). These are my plans so far:

Family Fun Event

 

            9:00 to 9:30: Craft

9:30-9:45: Greeting and explanation of day's activities

9:45 to  ???  Implementation of games

·        Game one: Dressing for Thanksgiving

      Each team chooses one person to "dress" for the big day. Each team will be given a roll of toilet paper to dress their person with. The team that uses the entire roll of paper first and then puts a hat on their person is the winner.

·        Game Two: Going to Grandma’s House

                  The entire team participates in this event. Using the play equipment on the big 
                  playground each team takes a turn running the timed course. The team with the
                  lowest time is the winner.

·        Game Three: Errands for Grandma

                 Grandma needs some items from the store. Each team will choose 6 players in this
                 relay. Players will ride the bike to one end of the basketball court to shop for the items
                 that grandma needs. Only one item can be picked up at a time (Box of stuffing, Can
                 of Cranberries, a potato, a roll, a carrot, a can of gravy, and a gallon of milk).

·        Game Four: Help Grandma stuff the turkey

                  Each team will choose a turkey to stuff. Using an extra-large t-shirt, teams will
                  stuff their turkey with as many balloons as they can in one minute. Team with the
                  most balloons stuffed is the winner.

·        Game Five: Help Grandma Deliver the food to the table

                  Each person on the team will take turns holding a plastic plate with one hand. The
                  other hand may help to hold the plate, but not the food. Food dropped may be picked
                  up and placed back on the plate. Be the first team to deliver all your food from one
                  bin to the other and you are the winner.

·        Game six: Make a pie for Grandma

                  Using the recipe card supplied, each team will gather the correct ingredients and
                  make a pie for Grandma. The first team to make the pie correctly will be the winner.

 

Following the games we will enjoy a feast together. Winner of the games will be able to eat first. Second will go second and so one.

 

All of the games and the feast will take place outside. I am lucky enough to have my classroom located within a beautiful park. I will update the blog with pictures of the day and let you know how this event went later in the week.

 

Teachers put a great deal of time, money and planning into holiday celebrations. How ever you chose to celebrate Thanksgiving with your class, I hope you have a snag free day, and can enjoy the children and the festivities.

 

Kristin