While we often associate Thanksgiving with food, Thanksgiving is also about spending time with family. It’s about giving thanks and sharing stories, spending time with loved ones as well as our broader communities. So, while we are enjoying time with our families and friends, we’ll want to plan activities that can help you appropriately celebrate. If you’re a little lost on what kinds of things you can do with your family, however, look no further, because we’ve got you!
Arts and Crafts
If your family is the type that prefers to stay inside, or just the type who likes to get crafty, there are plenty of Thanksgiving-related arts and crafts that you can make. You can create a Thanksgiving wreath using paper and tissue, or you can make a more intricate wreath using sticks, leaves, acorns, and other fall plants and things that you can find outside.
If you want to do other crafts, you can make turkeys out of papier mâché, or even cornucopias out of various items that you can find outside and at the craft store to serve as a centrepiece for your table during your Thanksgiving feast.
Paint and Carve Pumpkins
It wouldn’t be Fall if there weren’t pumpkins everywhere. Get into the Fall and Thanksgiving spirit by carving large pumpkins and painting small pumpkins to adorn your front porch. You can pick designs that will help you get ready for Halloween or specifically Thanksgiving-related designs to complement the season.
Attend a Festival
Of course, there are also a multitude of festivals that are running, many of which are free to attend and are appropriate for all ages. These types of festivals often include things like arts and crafts, different competitions like growing strangely shaped vegetables, as well as corn mazes, puzzle-related activities, and petting zoos. There are often local farmers and vendors selling food and other wares at these festivals, as well as the opportunity to partake in culinary experiences that are unique to the region.
While there are many festivals happening during the Thanksgiving weekend, three that are definitely worthwhile checking out are:
- Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving Festival – Niagara
- Pumpkinfest Toronto
- Hometown Harvest Festival – Penetanguishene, located approximately 40 minutes north of Barrie
Volunteer in Your Community
If your family is the type who likes to give back, you can always volunteer at your local soup kitchen or favourite charity. Often, local charities will need help distributing dinners to those in need, or in preparing those dinners before they’re distributed. There’s no better way to embody the meaning of Thanksgiving than by joining with your community by giving thanks for what you have by helping others.
Play Some Indoor Games
If you want to stay inside but aren’t the artsy type, there’s no time like Thanksgiving to have a game night. You can play the classics like Monopoly, or play more Thanksgiving-themed games, many of which you can find online. Games like bingo and Pictionary are very easy to make Thanksgiving-themed to match the season. Also, if you aren’t the type for games, there are many different Thanksgiving-themed puzzles that you can complete instead.
Partake in Some Outdoor Activities
If your family is the sporty or outdoorsy type, there’s no time quite like Thanksgiving to get outside and do something together. You can go to your local park and play soccer, basketball, or street hockey. You can also go to your local conservation area and go for a hike or a bike ride if that’s what you’d prefer.
Eliuxer Team | Staff Writer
