Setting a Thanksgiving Kids’ Table

I’m giving the middle child some love today! Thanksgiving gets another post–specifically setting a kid table for the holidays. My favorite thing about setting the kids table is that they notice and appreciate everything. Those little place cards you hand lettered with watercolor for the adult table? Yeah, they might not notice. But kids? Kids get all giddy when they see their name on a place card. MY NAME! And they feel extra special when you put the same meaningful touches on the kid table that you did on the big people one. Even if the kid table is a stretch of counter at the bar stools, there are still some easy ways to make their eating area kid-friendly and stand out for the holiday.

Skip the tablecloth.
Kids are going to mess it up anyway. Run a roll of brown butcher paper (you can pick up postal wrap in any mailing aisle) across their table instead. Not only does it give them a writing surface, but it makes clean up so easy! Roll everything up and throw it in the recycle bin.

Set out markers and crayons.
Pop them in little jars. Added bonus: adds some color to the table.

Put a critter next to their name
These adorable woodland creatures are ornaments from World Market. My kids love them and have already chosen which one represents them. Dash is the fox, of course.

That little squirrel though!

Kid Bubbly
One thing my kids look forward to for holidays is clinking real little stem glasses with their own special sparkling grape juice.

Activity Placemat
For a placemat, slip an activity sheet under their plate–with brain teasers, puzzles or questions.

I made this one you can print that includes fun questions to ask everyone at the table. I also love this book from French illustrator Alain Gree.

The tear-out pages are full of the sweetest activities, and they’re almost too pretty to write on!

PlayDoh Challenge
A super fun way to keep the kids entertained at the table (or during the kitchen hustle while everyone’s waiting to eat) — give them a PlayDoh challenge. Set out various colors of PlayDoh at their kid spot and challenge them to recreate Thanksgiving dinner out of PlayDoh.

They can each be assigned a dish to create from the turkey to the pumpkin pie and can be judged for prizes.  Name that movie: “These mashed potatoes are so creamy!”

Now to make my grocery shopping list for next week! Happy Weekending, Friends!