"We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in number, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown.  But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand, which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.  Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.  It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people.  I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens." 
-Abraham Lincoln - October 3, 1863
 

Thanksgiving is not a time of the year but rather an attitude of the heart.

Camp Thankful (Activity) by Rochelle Hale

Leaf Pattern
Thanksgiving Clipart & Graphics



Cornucopia
Scarecrow
 

Gobble Up Turkey (cute)
Gum Drop Turkey
Handprint Turkeys
Indian Corn Napkin Rings
Napkin Holder
Nut Holder
Pilgrim Hats Instructions - Start with white 12 x 18 sheet of construction paper, lay it horizontal. From the top measure down 2 inches, and fold top down to that point. This makes the brim of the bonnet. Then along the bottom, starting from the left, measure every 2 inches and draw a straight line from the bottom going straight up to about an inch from the folded over section at the top. Continue this pattern across the bottom (every 2 inches). Then cut along those lines. This will look like wide fringe along the bottom. Now take the paper from the brim and form a horseshoe shape, grab each 2 inch strip and overlay them at the bottom. Staple them together. This forms the complete bonnet. I usually attach yarn to tie under their chins. (Tina) - Here are some other patterns that could be adapted for pilgrim bonnets: Site 1, Site 2
Pilgrim Pal
Spuds McTurkey
Sugar Cone Cornucopias - My mother-in-law has made these many times and does them just a little different.  Boil a pot of water until there is a lot of steam.  Take the sugar cone and place the bottom of cone over the steam for just a few seconds until the tip curls just like a cornucopia.  Let them cool for a few minutes and then fill with Nerds.
Turkey Candelabra

Turkey Hat
Turkey Pattern from ChristianEdWarehouse.com- (in color) (in black and white) - Instead of using a hat like they have shown here, just use a paper or Styrofoam bowl. 



Thanksgiving Family Night
 

Blessings Mix
Blessings Mix by Cheryl Jorgensen
Cute pilgrim hats can be made with Fudge Stripe Cookies.   Turn cookie over to use the flat bottom chocolate covered side.  Use a daub of frosting in the middle to attach an unwrapped chocolate kiss.  Use purchased brown or white frosting tube to squeeze and create a bow at bottom rim of kiss. (Shared by Kathee Merkley / ga11082007)
Indian Corn on a stick
Oreo Turkey's: Using Oreo's, Another Oreo Version

Rice Krispie Treat Drumstick (scroll down)
Sweet Scarecrow Cupcakes
Thankful Cake - As each guest arrives, have them write down on a slip of paper something they are grateful for and sign their name.  Fold each paper very small and wrap tight with tinfoil.  Have a previously baked cake ready to frost.  Cut the cake into the desired amount of pieces.  Then, before you frost each piece, insert a foil-wrapped note into the top of each piece of cake and then frost.  When served, have each person read aloud the note found in their piece of cake.
Thanksgiving Blessing Mix
Turkey Cupcakes: Version 1, Version 2



Thanksgiving TV Bingo

Turkey Trot



The Pregnant Turkey



Thanksgiving Song from November 1979 Friend

A great resource for Thanksgiving fun and ideas
Centerpiece Idea (Paper Bag Cornucopia) - Use a brown paper bag (large or small...depending on how big you want it).  Fold the top down two inches.  Fold down once more to create a rim.  Gradually gather bag between both hands and twist bottom end of bag into a tight twist resembling the tip of a cornucopia.  You may need to tack areas of the bag with a hot glue gun to keep in place.  Spray with brown or gold spray paint.  Allow to dry and display an array of fresh fruit.  (Flat lightweight paper sacks work best.  You may also use newspaper, kraft, or butcher paper by making a large cone and twisting like a paper bag).

Five Kernels of Corn (cute)
Pilgrim's Bonnet for girl
Pilgrim's Hat for boys

Tons of Ideas for celebrating Thanksgiving Day
Turkey Legend (kind of fun)



Shooting Turkey
The Last Turkey
Three Turkeys

Color by number turkey

Crossword Puzzle

Thanksgiving Puzzle #1 (54 pieces)

Thanksgiving Puzzle #2 (48 pieces)

Thanksgiving Puzzle #3 (42 pieces)



Count your many blessings, November 1981 Friend
Thanksgiving, Giving Thanks, November 1982 Friend
Watch your attitude and share your gratitude by Cinda Nethercott



 Squanto's Thanksgiving -  A One Act Children's Play from Christian Articles Archive

Thanksgiving Surprise (November 2006 Friend)
The Turkey With The Terrible Temper



Thanksgiving Tablecloth
We make a rice crispy shaped turkey and cut feathers out of construction paper taped to a toothpick - one for each person with their name on it. Then we go around the table and say what we're thankful for as we put our feather on the turkey. You could do this and afterward sing thanksgiving songs while you cut up the turkey for a treat. (Kandi Chapman /ga10202006)
We usually get together and have the traditional dinner then we have a craft of some kind to help keep the little ones entertained.  We also just sit around and visit while dinner digests, then we have the pie and ice cream! (Janice Bird /ga10252006)