The kids table can be the best seat in the house, or the loudest. A little planning goes a long way. The right Thanksgiving kids table activities keep little ones busy while the turkey rests, give cousins something to do together, and leave you with a keepsake from the day.
Here are our favorite kids table ideas for Thanksgiving, from coloring tablecloths to giant word searches that the older kids (and a few grown-ups) will want in on.
Start with a coloring tablecloth
The easiest kids table idea is to cover the table with something they can color. Our Thanksgiving coloring sheets are 30" x 50", so one sheet covers most of a kids table. Tape down the corners, set out a cup of crayons, and you are done. See every design in our Thanksgiving coloring tablecloth collection.
Happy Thanksgiving Table Size Coloring Sheet
Big, bold lettering with fall food and leaves all around. A classic for the center of the kids table.
In All Things Give Thanks Table Size Coloring Sheet
A coloring sheet with a message that fits the day. It is an easy way to start a conversation about what everyone is thankful for.
Pilgrim Table Size Coloring Sheet
A pilgrim and fall scene that works for family dinners, classroom parties and preschool.
Thanksgiving Bundle
Three sheets together: Happy Thanksgiving, In All Things Give Thanks and Fall Gnome. Use one for each get-together of the season.
Ideas for the littlest guests
Toddlers and preschoolers do best with simple shapes and a space of their own.
Thanksgiving Trace & Color Coloring Sheet
Little ones trace each shape, then color it in. It is a calm activity while the grown-ups get dinner ready.
(4UP) Thanksgiving Table Size Coloring Sheet
Four 15" x 25" pages on one 30" x 50" sheet. Keep it whole for a group, or cut it apart so each child gets their own place mat.
Word searches for older kids and grown-ups
Tweens and teens may roll their eyes at coloring, but a giant word search is a different story. Ours are 30" x 43.5", and the letters are printed in a color-in style, so every word you find gets colored in. Hang one on the wall and it becomes a group game between the parade and the pie. More designs are in our giant Thanksgiving word search collection.
Thanksgiving Giant Word Search
Our classic Thanksgiving puzzle for the whole family. Set it out before dinner and see who finds the most words.
Stuffing & Stretchy Pants Giant Word Search
A lighthearted puzzle that gets everyone laughing. It is a good fit for the after-dinner slump.
Gratitude & Blessings Giant Word Search
A thoughtful puzzle about thankfulness that works for every age at the table.
How to set up the kids table
- Cover the table first. A coloring sheet doubles as a tablecloth and catches the crumbs.
- Put supplies in the middle. A jar of crayons or a few cups of markers keeps hands busy and away from the gravy.
- Give each kid a job. One finds words, one colors the turkey, one writes what they are thankful for in the margins.
- Keep the finished sheet. Write the year in a corner and roll it up, or hang it until December.
Every sheet is printed and rolled in our own shop. Made in the USA.
More gift guides
- Gifts for Grandparents Who Have Everything: Screen-Free Ideas They'll Use
- Screen-Free Christmas Activities for Kids: 9 Giant Ideas for the Table
- Christmas Gifts for the Classroom That Teachers Will Use
- Christmas Gifts for Seniors in Assisted Living: Puzzles and Activities to Share
Frequently asked questions
What can kids do at the Thanksgiving table?
Coloring tablecloths, trace and color sheets for little ones, and giant word searches for older kids all work well. A gratitude prompt, like writing one thankful thought on the sheet, adds a sweet tradition.
Will one sheet cover a kids table?
A 30" x 50" coloring sheet covers most small kids tables or a good part of a dining table. For a longer table, lay two sheets end to end.
What should kids color with?
Crayons, colored pencils and water-based markers work best on our 20 lb engineering bond paper.
When should I order for Thanksgiving?
Our shipping policy lists 6 to 11 business days for most continental US orders and suggests ordering at least two weeks before you need it.