Alright, mamas, Thanksgiving is practically knocking on the door - less than two weeks away. You’ve got your decor game locked down, right? (If not, just grab a pumpkin, stick it on the table, and voilà - festive vibes achieved!) Now, let’s shift focus to the real MVP of Thanksgiving: the food. Specifically, food your kids can help make without turning your kitchen into a scene from The Great Holiday Meltdown.
If you’re anything like me, the idea of prepping Thanksgiving dinner while fielding multiple rounds of “Can I help, Mommy?” feels... daunting. But this year, I’ve got a plan - a mix of simple recipes and edible crafts that’ll keep the kids entertained, foster some family bonding, and maybe even give you a few moments to breathe (or sip some wine). Ready? Let’s dive into the fun!
1. Turkey-Shaped Rice Krispie Treats
What’s more kid-friendly than something made of sugar and butter? These turkey-shaped Rice Krispie treats are fun to make, even more fun to eat, and if things go sideways, hey, at least dessert is handled.
What You Need:
- Rice Krispie cereal
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate melts
- Candy eyes (because edible googly eyes = instant cuteness)
- Mini peanut butter cups
- Candy corn
How It Goes Down:
Make a batch of Rice Krispie treats and, while still warm, let the kids shape them into “turkey bodies” (aka blobs that you’ll quietly refine later). Dip the tops in melted chocolate and add the candy eyes, peanut butter cup “feathers,” and candy corn beaks.
Fashionista Tip: Perfection is overrated. These turkeys can be as lopsided as my messy bun on Thanksgiving morning - they’ll still taste amazing. 💗
2. Gratitude Jars
Because Thanksgiving isn’t just about the food - it’s also about teaching gratitude. And let’s be honest: a craft that keeps tiny hands busy while you prep stuffing? That’s a win.
What You Need:
- Mason jars (one per kid or one for the family)
- Strips of paper
- Washi tape, stickers, markers—anything sparkly
- A quiet moment to reflect (LOL, what’s that?)
How It Goes Down:
Let the kids decorate their jars while you sneakily peel potatoes. Then, everyone writes something they’re thankful for on a strip of paper and drops it in. On Thanksgiving, take turns reading them aloud.
3. Sweet Potato Mini Pies (a.k.a. Dessert Disguised as Dinner)
These individual pies are just fancy enough to impress Grandma but easy enough for tiny hands to help. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to get kids to “cook” something without a mountain of sprinkles.
What You Need:
- Store-bought pie crust
- Mashed sweet potatoes
- Brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg
- Mini muffin tins
How It Goes Down:
Use a cookie cutter to create circles of pie crust and press them into the mini muffin tins. Fill with sweet potato mixture and bake until golden. Let the kids add a single marshmallow on top for flair.
4. Pilgrim Hat Cookies
No-bake and ridiculously adorable, these cookies will make you look like a creative genius.
What You Need:
- Chocolate-covered cookies (like Fudge Stripes)
- Mini peanut butter cups
- Melted chocolate for “glue”
- Yellow frosting
How It Goes Down:
Turn the cookie upside down, “glue” the peanut butter cup on top with melted chocolate, and add a yellow frosting buckle. Ta-da! Pilgrim hats that are cute, edible, and perfect for keeping the kids occupied for 15 precious minutes.
Fashionista Warning: Resist the urge to eat half the peanut butter cups while assembling. Or don’t. No judgment. 💗
5. Pumpkin Pie Dip with "Leaf" Dipper
A sweet snack that’s easy, festive, and kid-approved. Bonus: The little ones can actually help make it without turning your kitchen into a war zone.
What You Need:
- Canned pumpkin (not pie filling!)
- Cream cheese, softened
- Powdered sugar
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Refrigerated pie crust
How It Goes Down:
Whip up the dip by blending pumpkin, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. Use cookie cutters to create “leaf” shapes from the pie crust, bake until golden, and let the kids dip away!
6. Handprint Turkey Cookies
Because no Thanksgiving is complete without turning something into a turkey - especially when frosting is involved.
What You Need:
- Sugar cookie dough (store-bought or homemade - your secret’s safe with me)
- Frosting in fall colors (red, yellow, orange, and brown)
- Candy eyes
- Mini chocolate chips or candies for beaks
How It Goes Down:
Roll out the dough and let your kids press their hands lightly into it to create handprint shapes. Bake, then let the kids decorate each “finger” as a turkey feather. Add candy eyes and a beak to finish the masterpiece.
Fashionista Tip: Embrace the chaos. If the “turkeys” look more like blobs with googly eyes, just call them “abstract.” 💗
Last year, my daughter added a frosting mustache to her turkey and announced, “This one’s fancy!” Honestly? She’s not wrong.
7. Build-Your-Own Thanksgiving Snack Boards
Instead of chasing your kids away from the cheese platter, give them their own mini version. It’s creative, fun, and might actually buy you some time.
What You Need:
- Crackers, cheese cubes, apple slices, and tiny cookies
- Baby carrots (because pretending it’s healthy is half the battle)
- A sprinkle of imagination
How It Goes Down:
Lay everything out and let the kids build their own “snack boards.” Add a few baby carrots and call them “turkey beaks” for a festive touch.
This works as an appetizer *and* a distraction. Double win!
Thanksgiving with kids is a beautiful blend of chaos and joy, and honestly, isn’t that the point? Whether you’re making turkey-shaped treats, crafting gratitude jars, or sneaking a spoonful of pumpkin pie dip, the goal is to create moments that make your heart as full as your plate. Sure, there might be frosting in someone’s hair and marshmallows stuck to the ceiling by the end of it, but that’s what memories are made of.
And if all else fails, there’s always wine. Cheers to making this Thanksgiving one for the books, mama! 🍷
What are your favorite Thanksgiving traditions or recipes? Let me know - I’m always looking for new ideas (and stories to laugh about later).🦃
xoxo