Thanksgiving is one of the most cherished holidays for families—a day to celebrate gratitude, togetherness, and of course, delicious food. While the Thanksgiving feast usually takes center stage, the morning hours offer a perfect opportunity to build family traditions that can make the entire day extra special. Whether it’s engaging in fun activities, creating tasty memories, or simply slowing down together, these Thanksgiving morning traditions can become moments your kids will look forward to year after year.
Here are 10 Thanksgiving morning traditions to start with your kids that will fill the holiday with joy and connection before the festivities even begin.
Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV is one of the most iconic Thanksgiving traditions. The parade is a magical start to the day, featuring giant balloon characters, amazing floats, and live performances. Kids will be in awe of the balloons and excited to see their favorite characters flying high above New York City. Gather your family in pajamas with a cozy blanket and hot cocoa to make it extra special. It’s a great way to build excitement and bond before the hustle of meal prep begins.
Kick-off Thanksgiving by making breakfast as a family. Choose recipes that everyone can help with—like pancakes shaped like turkeys, pumpkin muffins, or cinnamon rolls. Let your kids get involved by decorating the breakfast table with homemade place settings or creating “Thankful Notes” where everyone can write down what they’re grateful for. This gives you a chance to spend quality time together before the big feast while creating an atmosphere of gratitude.
Start a Gratitude Tree tradition with your kids to remind them of the true meaning of Thanksgiving. You can easily craft a tree out of paper or use a small branch from outside as your base. Each family member writes down things they’re thankful for on paper leaves and hangs them on the tree. This can be a beautiful decoration and a meaningful way to reflect on your blessings as a family. Over the years, you’ll have a growing collection of gratitude to look back on.
Before the cooking and eating, get outside for a family walk or sign up for a local Turkey Trot. Many towns offer Thanksgiving Day races that are fun for both kids and adults, and they’re often tied to charitable causes. If you prefer something more low-key, simply take a stroll around your neighborhood to enjoy the fall colors and crisp air. It’s a wonderful way to spend time together and burn off some energy before the big meal.
If your family enjoys cozy mornings in front of the TV, why not start a tradition of watching a Thanksgiving-themed movie or show? Classics like A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving or Garfield’s Thanksgiving are great options for young kids, while older kids might enjoy movies like Free Birds or even Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. This can be a relaxing and fun way to entertain your little ones as you prepare for the day ahead. You can view a full list of Thanksgiving-themed movies and shows here.
While the main meal may take hours to prepare, starting the day by baking a Thanksgiving dessert with your kids is a great way to involve them in the holiday cooking. Whether it’s a pumpkin pie, apple crisp, or chocolate turkey cupcakes, choose a recipe that’s easy for little hands to help with. Kids will feel proud knowing they contributed something to the Thanksgiving table, and it gives you time to bond while making delicious memories together.
Turn Thanksgiving morning into a fun game day by playing Thanksgiving Bingo or organizing a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt. You can create Bingo cards with Thanksgiving-themed images (turkeys, pumpkins, pies) and give small prizes for winners. Alternatively, create a scavenger hunt around the house or backyard with hidden Thanksgiving-related items like mini pumpkins, leaves, or stuffed turkeys. It’s a fun, active way to keep kids engaged while the adults prep for the meal.
Involve your kids in planning and setting the Thanksgiving table. Let them help with simple tasks like folding napkins, arranging silverware, or adding their own handmade decorations like placemats or place cards. It’s a great way to teach responsibility, creativity, and how to contribute to family traditions. As they get older, they’ll take pride in their role in helping set the stage for the big meal.
A beautiful Thanksgiving morning tradition to start is having a Thankful Circle. Gather your family in a circle, either around the breakfast table or while snuggled on the couch, and take turns sharing what you’re thankful for this year. It can be as simple as a few words or as elaborate as sharing meaningful moments from the past year. This tradition encourages mindfulness and teaches your kids to reflect on the things they are grateful for, big or small.
Thanksgiving is not only about the delicious feast but also about the moments leading up to it. By starting these Thanksgiving morning traditions with your kids, you can create meaningful memories that your family will treasure for years to come. Whether it’s baking together, watching the parade, or expressing gratitude, these activities will help you kick off the holiday in a joyful and connected way.