Most families have something they do that they insist must be done every year or, "It just doesn't feel like Thanksgiving." Perhaps it is a game of Thanksgiving charades, or a few rounds of a favorite family game, or kid-made place cards. The activity doesn't have to be silly, but consider that laughter is a great way to bond as a family. And doesn't a little silliness make everything more fun?

Let me introduce you to our silly and oh-so-fun Thanksgiving weekend tradition that makes us laugh uncontrollably: GOURD BALL

The post A Unique (and Silly) Thanksgiving Weekend Tradition appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday to showcase picture books that reflect America's diverse population.

The children's Thanksgiving books on this list reflect a variety of approaches to celebrating Thanksgiving. They include stories about how immigrants have contributed to modern day traditions, the perspective of Indigenous Peoples, and invitations to express gratitude.

I am of the belief that we can share with our children the relevance of modern-day Thanksgiving traditions without perpetuating the highly flawed "happy myth" about its origins. Children are smart cookies and we honor them by making sure we discuss hard truths about the relationship between the "founding" of this country and the land's indigenous populations.

Note: this list contains Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn a commission for this blog. Bookshop also supports independent bookstores.

Thanksgiving Picture Books

Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story by Danielle Greendeer (Mashpee Wampanoag), Anthony Perry (Chickasaw), and Alexis Bunten (Yu'pik and Unangan), illustrated by Garry Meeches (Anishinaabe)

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

If you read only one Thanksgiving book this year, let it be this one. A grandmother tells her two Wampanoag ("People of the First Light") grandchildren the story of Thanksgiving. Weeâchumun (the Wampanoag word for "corn," here represented as a translucent woman) is worried because she is afraid that she will not last another year. Despite a caution to be wary of the new comers, Weeâchumun asks the Wampanoag people to help the Pilgrims survive the winter by helping them plant the three sisters of corn, beans and squash. This is an important retelling of the Thanksgiving story that places the Wampanoag, and not the Pilgrims at the center of the narrative. The text includes notes, glossary, and a pronunciation guide. The book's official website has further resources. Ages 3 and up.

May We Have Enough to Share by Richard Van Camp (Tłı̨chǫ Dene)

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

This adorable board book may be intended for babies and toddlers, but the sentiment rings true for all ages. Photographs of happy children and their caregivers grace the pages next to words meant to inspire readers to invite abundance into their lives, not for its own sake, but as a way to share with others. Read it as a blessing before everyone tucks into turkey. All ages.

ALSO READ: Picture Books about Gratitude

If You Lived During the Plimouth Thanksgiving by Chris Newell (Passamaquoddy), illustrated by Winona Nelson (Leech Lake Band of Minnesota Chippewa)

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

MORE: Native American Picture books by Native authors

Twelve Dinging Doorbells by Tameka Fryer Brown, illustrated by Ebony Glenn

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Inspired by the classic holiday song, "Twelve Days of Christmas," this is an non-specific holiday poem that that applies to any family gathering. The lively get-together includes all kinds of food dishes, an ever-increasing population of funny relatives, and "a sweet potato pie just for me." Delightful! Ages 3 and up.

Duck for Turkey Day by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Kathryn Mitter

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Tuyet is distressed that her Vietnamese family is having duck for Thanksgiving dinner! In school she learned that turkey is the traditional main course, but her mom and grandma insist that duck is tastier. Tuyet worries about what her friends and teacher will think! When she returns to school she discovers that her classmates all had different foods for dinner and it's not the feast, but the company that makes the holiday special. I love the sweet moment when Tuyet puts her handmade pinecone craft on the table to ensure there is a turkey on the table! Ages 4 and up.

Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

This isn't a Thanksgiving-specific picture book, but it certainly fits the theme! A family shops for, prepares, and sits down together for a meal. I particularly love books that show math in everyday situations such as shopping and cooking. It might even get your little one interested in counting next time you put her in the shopping cart at the grocery store! Plus, I'm all for books that show families having fun together. Ages 3 and up.

Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

The signature spectacle of the Macy's Parade was spearheaded by British immigrant, Tony Sarg. Sweet's marvelous cut paper and mixed media collages illustrate the story of Sarg's life as a puppeteer, from his boyhood inspirations to his invention of the "upside-down marionettes" we've come to know and love as the iconic gigantic helium balloons in the Macy's Parade.

How Many Days to America? A Thanksgiving Story by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Beth Peck

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

A family flees a Caribbean island because of political prosecution. The journey in a small boat is hard and dangerous and when they reach America it is Thanksgiving day. It's a great book to spark discussions about diversity in America, why people flee their homes, and the freedom and security they hope to find. Ages 5 and up.

Gracias, The Thanksgiving Turkey by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Joe Cepeda

Find it: Your Library | Amazon

Just before Thanksgiving, Miguel's father, who is driving a truck across the country, sends the family a mysterious box with holes in it. Inside is a turkey! Miguel names his new "pet" Gracias, walks him around his urban neighborhood on a leash, and worries about his intended fate, even as Gracias follows him to mass. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout the text and I love how Miguel's Puerto Rican family provides a wonderful model of familial support and love. Ages 4 and up.

Rivka's First Thanksgiving by Elsa Okon Rael, illustrated by Maryann Kovalski

Find it: Your Library | Amazon

Rivka, the daughter of Polish Jewish immigrants, comes home from school, excited to tell her family about the holiday of Thanksgiving. Her mother tells her, "It sounds to me as though this is a party for Gentiles." Rivka insists that Thanksgiving is for everyone and takes her case to the Rabbi who initially agrees with her mother. Rivka starts a campaign to change the Rabbi's mind. She writes a letter and presents her case before a gathering of Rabbis, drawing insightful parallels between her Jewish family's experience and the experience of the Pilgrims. Ages 4 and up.

The Thanksgiving Door by Debby Atwell

Find it: Your Library | Amazon

Ed and Ann have burned their dinner! They head out to a restaurant, sighing, "It won't be the same." When they get there they don't realize it's closed for a private party but the grandmother in the kitchen decides the family will welcome the interlopers because in the "old country" they do not turn away hungry people. Ed and Ann celebrate with the large, extended family, including lively dancing and at the end of the evening declare the best thing that happened was burning the dinner. Ages 4 and up.

'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Ok, so this Thanksgiving book is not exactly like the others on this list! It is an extremely silly and highly satisfying story about a diverse group of school children on a field trip to discover where their Thanksgiving turkey really comes from. When they find out, they smuggle the turkeys home and hilarity (and a vegetarian dinner) ensues. Ages 3 and up.

Milly and the Macy's Parade by Shana Corey, illustrated by Brett Helquist

Find it: Your Library

This is a fictional story based on a factual events surrounding the very first Macy's Parade. Milly is a Polish immigrant whose father works for Mr. Macy. Macy's employs legions of immigrants and when they all begin to get homesick and nostalgic for their homelands' holiday traditions, Millie convinces "the most important man in America" (aka Mr. Macy) to throw a giant party. And the parade is born. I love to think of the Macy's Parade as a party with roots based in celebrating the diversity of the people employed at the store -- not just as a way to advertise a retail giant. Ages 5 and up.

The post Multicultural Thanksgiving Books for Kids appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

All of these are early chapter books, appropriate for ages 5-10, depending on reading level.  Most of them contain a lot of humor and all will get your kids talking about Thanksgiving traditions and ways of celebrating the holiday. I even included a joyous collection of Thanksgiving poetry.

Note: this list contains Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn a commission for this blog. Bookshop also supports independent bookstores.

ZACK AND THE TURKEY ATTACK! by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Is this book about Thanksgiving? Not necessarily... unless you think turkey = Thanksgiving. But it is lots of fun. When a turkey attacks Zack, he decides to build a contraption to keep the bird away from him. But his invention causes further complications and and lots of laughs.

HOBOKEN CHICKEN EMERGENCY by Daniel Pinkwater

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

With a knowing nod to my neighbors in New Jersey, you have to admit that any book which couples "Hoboken" with "Chicken" in the title has got to be hilarious. When there are no turkeys to be found anywhere in Hoboken for Thanksgiving dinner, Arthur returns home with a chicken. The problem? The chicken is 266 pounds. Hijinks ensue. I read this aloud to my sons and they loved it.

MORE: Listen to some of our favorite Thanksgiving audiobooks!

TURKEY MONSTER THANKSGIVING by Anne Warren Smith

Find it: Your Library | Amazon

Katie lives with her single dad and younger brother. Usually they have pizza for Thanksgiving but this year Katie is determined to have a “real” Thanksgiving with a turkey, homemade decorations and a few guests.

MORE: Thanksgiving rebuses and printable riddles

KATIE SAVES THANKGIVING by Fran Manushkin

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

This is a very easy to read chapter book series, suitable for independent reading for children ages 5 and up. First grader Katie comes to the rescue when it seems like Thanksgiving will be missing several important ingredients—and people!

AMBER BROWN IN FEELING BLUE by Paula Danziger

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Amber needs to decide if she is going to spend Thanksgiving with her mom in Washington or her dad in New York City. Bonus: her new friend is named “Kelly Green.” How can you not love that?

NATE THE GREAT TALKS TURKEY by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

This is an easy reader series so it's a great short Thanksgiving for very early readers, or kids in kindergarten through third grade. Everyone's favorite detective, Nate the Great, is on the case of a giant turkey.

THE WISHBONE WISH by Megan McDonald

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Stink and his older sister Judy each have their own chapter book series, as well as this series which features both siblings. In this installment, the pair are training to race in the annual Turkey Trot in order to win a large, juicy turkey for their holiday dinner.

MORE: Multicultural Winter Holiday Read Aloud Novels

IT'S THANKSGIVING! by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Marylin Hafner

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

I adore Prelutsky's humorous poetry. This collection is packaged as an easy reader so even young readers can get in on the poetry jam. Have your kids read some aloud to you while you are making the pie.

MORE: Picture books about gratitude

The post Thanksgiving Chapter Books (Plus Some Thanksgiving Poetry) appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

We've participated in the thankful tree tradition in the past, but sometimes you want to switch things up! So this year we came up with a thankful tree alternative! Using the tree theme as a jumping off point, we chose to write our gratitudes on leaf shaped paper and instead of hanging them on branches, we affixed them to the wall above our dining table.

The daily ritual of writing down what you are thankful for is easier to maintain if you have a pre-made stash of leaves. You could collect some robust colorful foliage from outdoors, but we decided to craft our leaves using newspaper.

MORE: Use your real autumn leaves to make this colorful leaf wreath.

Thankful "Tree" Instructions

The instructions to make your own "tree" are very easy and you most likely already have all the materials you need.

Supplies

Newspaper

Paint. I recommend using washable tempera paint as kids sometimes get a little overly enthusiastic with the paint brush. Useful colors are green, brown, red, orange and yellow. But feel free to use any colors you want. A wall of pink and purple thankful leaves? Go for it.

Paint brushes. Large brushes that are easy for little hands to hold are best.

Scissors

Masking tape. I recommend blue painter's tape as it is very easy to remove.

Marker

MORE: Be sure to also read these wonderful children's books about gratitude!

Step by Step

First, lay out the newspaper on your table and secure with masking or painter's tape.

We divided the newspaper into four sections for four colors, but this is not strictly necessary, especially if you want each leaf of your thankful tree to have more than one color on it.

Paint the newspaper the desired autumnal colors.

After you've painted the newspaper, let dry. Drying time will obviously depend on how think the paint is layered on.

Next, after the paint is dry, decide whether you are going to draw leaves on the newspaper or if you are brave enough to cut the leaves out freestyle.

MORE: 65 Fun Family Fall Activities

I cut them out freestyle, which is why our thankful leaves are wonderfully wonky.

Little ones may need help with the cutting, but allow them to experiment however they wish. Leaves do not need to be "leaf shaped," especially if your 4 year old loves cutting out shapes!

The newspaper adds a wonderful texture to the thankful leaves. (Sorry for the poor quality photo!)

Finally, place your finished leaves in a basket or box and set in a convenient location. Every day, each family member writes on a leaf something for which they are thankful and affixes it to the wall. I suggest painter's tape because it is designed not to damage the wall.

Think of it as Thanksgiving advent!

By Thanksgiving you will have a whole wall of blessings. Or, if you like, a thankful tree on a wall.

MORE: Picture Books about Diverse Thanksgiving Traditions

Variations

If you don't want to go to the trouble of making leaves, you can use our printable thankful cards, or just use index cards. Check out our index card gratitude wall!

To get extra fancy, cut out the silhouette of a tree from brown paper and place on the wall. Then you can "hang" your thankful leaves on the tree. See an example of such a thankful tree at Simply Rebekah.

One final note!

After Thanksgiving, save your leaves! I have a box filled with our gratitudes from years past and I love to look though it from time to time.

MORE: Thanksgiving rebuses, riddles and brain teasers

The post Thankful Tree Alternative: A Wall of Leaves appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Picture the scene. It's Thanksgiving, you didn't burn the turkey, the cranberries are wiggling in all their gelatinous glory and the rolls are only slightly burned on the edges. Everyone sits down, says grace and starts shoveling the food in their mouths. But then, Cousin Eddie and Uncle Gus start arguing about politics. How do you stop them? With a hilarious riddle or brain-busting scrambled word, that's how!

It's so important to be able to have some screen-free Thanksgiving activities that everyone will love, and these will make everyone smile and stop talking about politics!

MORE: It's almost time to print out these rebus puzzles for your Christmas advent calendar.

Use them as ice-breakers. When guests arrive, kids ask them to "pay the toll" by answering a riddle.

Start dinner conversations. Place a riddle, scrambled word or rebus at each guest's place at the table, along with one of these darling Thanksgiving place cards. After a toast or grace, go around the table asking riddles. Or, have a contest to see who can solve his scrambled word or rebus first. The winner gets an extra piece of pie. Alternatively, place the riddles and puzzles in a jar and pass it around the table.

Keep the kids busy. Tell the kids they have to solve all the scrambled words before they can eat. Just kidding. Maybe. But do use them to keep kids busy instead of listening to them ask when dinner is going to be ready.

Laugh yourselves silly after eating too much. Place the individual charades clues in a hat or bowl and have a rollicking good time. Don't know how to play charades? Find instructions here.

If you want more rebus puzzles, we've got more printable sheets in our Lunch Box Wuzzles post.

Answers to scrambled words: stuffing, gravy, pumpkin pie, cranberries, green beans, gathering, cooking, casserole, turkey, thankful, Mayflower, pilgrims, overeat, cornucopia, harvest, families

Answers to rebuses: falling leaves, green beans, talk turkey, count your blessings, mashed potatoes, clean up, thankful, sweet potato

The post Thanksgiving Puzzles, Rebuses and Riddles appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

They are quick to make and once you've printed them out from the computer (easy-peasy!), the kids can take it from there. Hand the kids a bucket of colored pencils or crayons and you are on your way to placing crotchety Uncle Joe and chatty Aunt Nancy at separate ends of the holiday dinner table.

BONUS: These cute printable Thanksgiving cards can double as expressions of gratitude! Instead of filling in names on the cards, write down what you are thankful for and place them around the table for dinner time conversation.

A great idea is to have these cards on hand for the kids to color while everyone is waiting for the celebratory Thanksgiving meal. It's instant screen-free entertainment. If you've created a thankful wall like this one here, kids can use it as inspiration.

Thanksgiving Place Card Instructions

There are 16 different cards to choose from!

About the Artist

Melanie Hope Greenberg is an award winning author and illustrator of more than 15 children’s books. She was an Artist-In-Residence at the Eric Carle Museum and her books have been featured as a NY Times Great Children's Read. Her cheerful, vibrant illustrations can be found in books such as Good Morning, Digger, Down in the Subway and A City Is.

One of Melanie's favorite parts of being an author/illustrator is talking about her craft with students at libraries and in classrooms. You can learn more about author visits (virtual or in-person) at her website.

Melanie's iconic book, Mermaids on Parade, is available at your local library! It was selected as a Bank Street Best Book, and for the Texas Reading Club and PBS Kids Summer Reading Lists. It was named one of the Top Reprints of 2019 by Fuse#8.

MERMAIDS ON PARADE written and illustrated by Melanie Hope Greenberg

Read the reviews and testimonials on Melanie's Blog.

*Terms of Service: this coloring page is used with permission from Melanie Hope Greenberg and is for non-commercial use ONLY. You many print out as many copies as you like for personal, library or classroom use. If you would like to share this coloring page, you MUST link to this blog page. It is expressly forbidden to link directly to the coloring page pdf file.

The post Cute Thanksgiving Place Cards for Kids to Help Decorate appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

POETRY.

But ya know what? Celebrating Thanksgiving with a special poem or two will make your holiday a unique event. And if you start early, there is plenty of time for your children to memorize a classic, modern or even funny poem to recite at dinner.

Just think how impressed your in-laws will be!

As you might know, I am a poetry addict, which is why I've encouraged your family to embrace poetry at Christmas, read it before bedtime, and even recite a spooky Halloween poem or two. And since I believe that a memorized poem is one of the best gifts a child can take with them into adulthood, you won't be surprised to hear me promoting Thanksgiving poetry, as well.

Not to fret, if you're new to the joys of poetry (and even if you aren't), we've done the leg work for you. We've collected some great kid-friendly classic poems that you can print out, links to some of our favorite contemporary Thanksgiving poems, and a few poetry books that you can rush out and pick up at your library.

Classic Thanksgiving Poems for Kids and Families

Fill out the form below and get a printable version of the following classic Thanksgiving poems. We chose poems by women, one of the first published African-American poets, a Muskogee Creek poet, and others, including a poem you are sure to find very, very familiar!

• "The New-England Boy's Song about Thanksgiving Day" (1844) by Lydia Maria Child
• "Merry Autumn" (1913) and "Signs of the Times" (1896) by Paul Laurence Dunbar
• "When the Frost is on the Punkin" (1913) by James Whitcomb Riley
• "The Thanksgivings" (1908) by Harriet Maxwell Converse
• "One day is there of the series" (1896) by Emily Dickinson
• "Autumn" (1910) by Alexander Posey

More learning resources can be found here:

• A biography of Paul Laurence Dunbar, "one of the first African American poets to gain national recognition."
• A teaching guide for Emily Dickenson's poem
• Read a biography of Harriet Maxwell Converse, the first white woman elected as an honorary Six Nations Chief.
• Learn about Muskogee Creek poet Alexander Posey

Contemporary Thanksgiving Poems

Because the following poems remain under copyright, I have not included them on my printable. I've included a short excerpt from each. Click through on the links below to read them. You will love them!

Thanksgiving Day I like to see
Our cook perform her witchery.
She turns a pumpkin into pie
As easily as you or I
Can wave a hand or wink an eye.

"Thanksgiving Magic" by Rowena Bastin Bennett

When I think how far the onion has traveled
just to enter my stew today, I could kneel and praise
all small forgotten miracles,

"The Traveling Onion" by Naomi Shihab Nye

When the night winds whistle through the trees and blow the crisp brown leaves a-crackling down,
When the autumn moon is big and yellow-orange and round,

"Thanksgiving Time" by Langston Hughes

...A week before Thanksgiving
I explained to my abuelita
about the Indians and the Mayflower,
how Lincoln set the slaves free;
I explained to my parents about
the purple mountain's majesty,

"América" by Richard Blanco

...give them the memory of their first step
onto solid land, after much ocean, air and clouds,
remind them of the phone call back home saying,
We arrived. Yes, thank God we made it, we are here.

"Prayer for My Immigrant Relatives" by Lory Bedikian

Thanksgiving Poetry Books

Thanksgiving Day at Our House: Thanksgiving Poems for the Very Young by Nancy White Carlstrom, illustrated by R.W. Alley. These are short, lively poems, great for preschoolers.

Giving Thanks: Poems, Prayers, and Praise Songs of Thanksgiving edited by Katherine Paterson, illustrated by Pamela Dalton. The cut paper illustrations in this diverse collection of poems about gratitude are stunning. Paterson has curated a wonderful book of poetry from classic, contemporary, religious and multicultural sources. Wonderful!

It's Thanksgiving! by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Marilyn Hafner. Prelutsky's poems for kids are always a treat. They are funny, snappy and guaranteed to make you smile. They are short enough to enjoy on the go and this collection has the added benefit of the easy reader format so kids can read it independently.

The Circle of Thanks: Native American Poems and Songs of Thanksgiving by Joseph Bruchac, illustrated by Murv Jacob. I really love this collection of verse drawn from over a dozen Native American nations. The poems and songs focus on gratitude and human connection with the natural world.

The post Thanksgiving Poems for Kids to Memorize and Share appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Whether it's dinner prep entertainment that you need, or just a little down time with your family, these Thanksgiving audiobooks will set the tone for a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. The books on this list celebrate friendship, family, immigration and the diversity of America. You can find books of all lengths so if it's a new audiobook for car rides during the month of November, or a quick laugh while you set the table, there is a Thanksgiving audiobook selection for everyone!

This post contains Amazon (Audible) and Libro.fm affiliate links. Libro.fm supports independent booksellers. Use code CHOOSEINDIE at Libro.fm to receive 2 free audiobooks with your membership. You can try Audible out for free here which also gives you 2 free audiobooks.

I CAN MAKE THIS PROMISE by Christine Day, read by Kyla Garcia

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

Edie lives in a loving family, but she knows her mother doesn't like to talk much about her own ancestry. Her mother, of mixed Native American heritage, was adopted by white parents. One day, Edie discovers a box of letters signed "Edith" and wonders who her mysterious namesake is. The story follows Edie's journey as she learns the truth and reconnects with her Suquamish/Duwamish heritage. I can't recommend this book enough! Be sure to talk with your kids about how important it is to read and listen to stories which counteract the harmful stereotypes of American Indians that are too often taught in school. 5 hours 46 min. Ages 8 and up.

PIE by Sarah Weeks, read by Kate Rudd

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

Set in 1955, this wonderfully quirky mystery will have the whole family thankful for each other and ready for desert. Aunt Polly was the “Pie Queen of Ipswitch." Upon her death she bequeathed her famous pie recipe to her cat, Lardo, and Lardo to her niece, Alice. With the help of her friend, Charlie, Alice is now trying to figure out how to get the pie recipe "out" of Lardo so she can will the town's coveted "Blueberry Medal." 3 hours 42 min. Ages 6 and up.

CHILDREN OF THE LONGHOUSE by Joseph Bruchac, read by Elaina Erika Davis

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

November is Native American Heritage Month, as well as a good time to read a bit more about the American Indians other than the fact that some of them attended the first Thanksgiving. This is a historical novel narrated in alternating viewpoints between Ohkwa'ri and his twin sister Otsi:stia. The siblings are Mohawks living in the 15th century in what would later become upstate New York. Ohkwa'ri tells the elders he heard another boy planning activity that would break a peace accord with a neighboring tribe. His resentful new enemy plans to get revenge during a game of what we might call lacrosse. There is so much wonderful information about Native American life, culture and traditions in this book. 3 hours 34 min. Ages 7 and up.

PRAIRIE LOTUS by Linda Sue Park, read by Emily Woo Zeller

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

A stellar, thoughtful alternative to the Little House books (or in addition to them), Prairie Lotus, is about Hanna, a 14 year old half-Chinese girl who dreams of being a dressmaker. She and her white father have moved to a new town in Dakota territory where her father is opening a dress goods store. Hanna is excited about going to school for the first time and graduating, as her mother dreamed for her. She faces the racism of the town’s white folks, but Hanna is determined. Hanna’s strong inner voice, the memory of her Mama and a few new friends help her stay strong and succeed. Absolutely wonderful. 5 hours 18 min. Ages 9 and up.

OTHER WORDS FOR HOME by Jasmine Warga, read by Vaneh Assadourian

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

This free-verse novel begins in Syria around the start of the Arab Spring. Jude and her pregnant mother decide to emigrate to live with her uncle in America. Her older brother, caught up in the protests against the government, stays behind with their father. In America, Jude meets new friends and discovers an interest in theater. With unflinching honesty and a keen perception, Jude describes the transition from Syria to her experiences adjusting to living in America. A splendid book. 3 hours 50 min. Ages 9 and up.

ROLL WITH IT by Jamie Sumner, read by Candace Thaxfon

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

Ellie loves to bake! Her cerebral palsy means her mom is a bit overprotective, and that she has to spend more time than she would like with doctors. Ellie's grandfather has Alzheimer’s disease and so Ellie and her mom move in with her grandparents to help out. Starting a new school means Ellie finally finds some good friends and feels like she fits in somewhere. Roll With It is a marvelous book, tackling so many themes, but with good humor and likable characters. 4 hours 30 min. Ages 8 and up.

THE BIRCHBARK HOUSE (series) by Louise Erdich, read by Nicolle Littrell

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

The Birchbark House takes place on an island in Lake Superior in 1847 where 7-year-old Omakayas, "Little Frog" and her Ojibwa family live. Erdrich describes the daily life and experiences of the Ojibwa as well as their sorrows and joys. May be a little intense in part for your youngest listeners. 5 hours 26 min. Ages 8 and up.

AN OLD FASHIONED THANKSGIVING by Louisa May Alcott, read by Jim Ellis

Listen: Librivox (free) | Audible

This short story from Alcott's book, Aunt Jo's Scrap Bag, is a nice selection for families who are looking for a traditional, classic story. The March girls from Little Women make a Thanksgiving dinner when their parents are called away. 38 minutes. All ages.

THE HOBOKEN CHICKEN EMERGENCY by Daniel Pinkwater, read by Daniel Pinkwater

Listen: Your Library | Audio CD

Arthur's mom sends him out to find a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. When no turkey are to be found, brings home a 200-lb live chicken. Hijinks ensue. Besides being a bit on the totally hilarious side, this is a story of loyalty and friendship. Ages 5 and up.

THE JACK PRELUTSKY HOLIDAY CD AUDIO COLLECTION by Jack Prelutsky, read by Jack Prelutsky

Listen: Your Library | Audio CD

This collection of humorous poetry can be enjoyed for many holidays, not just Thanksgiving. A fun way to get in some quick audiobook time with the kids and help them develop an appreciation of poetry. All ages.

BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY: THE TRUE STORY OF THE PUPPETEER OF MACY'S PARADE by Melissa Sweet, read by John McDonough

Listen: Libro.fm | Audible

The signature spectacle of the Macy's Parade was actually spearheaded by British immigrant, Tony Sarg. Sweet's marvelous cut paper and mixed media collages illustrate the story of Sarg's life as a puppeteer, from his boyhood inspirations to his invention of the "upside-down marionettes" we've come to know and love as the iconic gigantic helium balloons in the Macy's Parade. 15 minutes. All ages.

The post Thanksgiving Audiobooks the Whole Family Will Love appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Family gratitude activities don't have to be complicated! A simple and effective routine is to sit around the table each night and share, "I am thankful for..."  You could also introduce a similar routine at bedtime. That's the easiest way, and you can do it all year long.

However, if you want creative ideas to do anytime or in November as a special tradition for the Thanksgiving month, here are a few suggestions. I've separated them into three general categories: the popular "thankful tree" and wall ideas, printables you can fill out our used in crafts, and some especially arty thankful projects. Plus, if you make it to the end of the list, there is a bonus suggestion for you! All are easy. All are fun. Enjoy!

Thankful Trees and Wall Ideas

Create a thankful tree. We did this two years in a row. Stick some branches in a jar, cut out leaves, and each day kids and parents write down something for which they feel gratitude, and hang the leaves on the tree.

Create a thankful wall. This was what we did last year and I still have the cards up on the wall. I love seeing it every day. One year we make painted thankful leaves from newspaper for our gratitude wall.

MamaSmiles has the best simple idea for a gratitude tree I've seen!

Turn thankful leaves or cards into a banner by stringing them up. You can get printable leaf templates here.

Gratitude Printables

Create thankful cards. Print out our free, illustrated thankful card coloring pages. Kids can color them, write down their gratitudes and then either hang them on a tree, paste them in a gratitude journal or pass them out to family members.

• Get them here: Thankful Cards

More ideas with gratitude printables:

I love, love love this idea for thankful hearts from Let's Lasso the Moon.

30 day gratitude printable from Coffee Cups and Crayons. The best part is the flexibility.

I am thankful story window slide from Buggy and Buddy. Includes a free printable. If you want to extend this for a month, you could make a really, really long slide! (My kids would actually love that.)

Gratitude Arts and Crafts Ideas

Getting arty is a great way to improve family bonding. You don't have to be Great Artists to enjoy these simple creative ideas. All of these suggestions will spur conversations and reflections.

These kid-made thankful napkins from Homegrown Friends are fantastic!

This kid-made thankful table spread from ArtBar is so artsy-craftsy!!!

I like this idea to make a table runner so family members can write down their blessings.

Create a thankful jar like this one at Creative Family Fun.

Gratitude sun catcher from The OT Toolbox. To extend the idea create a new petal every day.

BONUS IDEA: Read these picture books about gratitude!

The post Creative Family Gratitude Activities Kids and Parents will Love appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

We've just enjoyed a holiday expressing gratitude for family, friends, health and all the other non-material blessings in our lives. At yet the thing that is uppermost on our minds is that we need to wake up at 3am to wait in a long line just to score a cheap TV.

And trust me, all the screen-free waiting games in the world won't get you through the hordes of people waiting to get into your local superstore. "Black Friday" is indeed, looking pretty black.

It's all just a little bit nuts, isn't it? There has to be a better way.

And no, I'm not talking about shopping online.

I'm talking about extending that warm family feeling you had on Thanksgiving. You know... the feeling you had connecting with others with these screen-free Thanksgiving activity ideas.

Today I invite you to prolong the spirit of Thanksgiving, put off holiday shopping (yes, even online holiday shopping) for another day and spend some extra time with your family. If you just want to cozy up and watch an old movie and snack on popcorn, great. If you need a few extra ideas, feel free to snag one off this list

And yes, all of these ideas are free or inexpensive!

15 Black Friday Alternatives to Shopping

Start a family game night tradition and learn how to play a new game such as Qwirkle; or how about a game that's been played for centuries.

Start making Christmas decorations by cutting up all the scrap paper you can find into snowflakes and put them up around the house. Check out my video of how to make paper snowflakes. I also give you plenty of ideas for how to use them.

Put everyone to "work" building a giant Sierpinski Triangle Christmas Tree!

Mix up a batch of soft pretzels and form them into letters to spell everyone's name.

Cover the dining table with butcher paper, get out the paints, crayons and markers and make free art, family-style.

Make family popsicle stick puppets by cutting out photographs and pasting them on craft sticks. Or draw each other, cut out and glue on the sticks. Then put on a puppet show, reenacting a favorite family holiday. For extra fun, make this tabletop theater to stage your show!

Take turns with the camera taking goofy pictures of each other. Maybe even use these photos for the stick puppets!

Get outside and play gourd ball!

Put together a 500 piece puzzle. I used to do this every holiday when I was a kid.

Take a trip to the library and ask the librarians to recommend their favorite children’s books.

Head to your neighborhood park to feed the ducks. Bring along uncooked oats instead of bread.

Rake the leaves in the yard into a pile and take turns jumping in.

Go bowling and think up wacky team names.

Visit your local park and go birdwatching. Take photos of the birds and start a hobby book.

Work on a family tree and conduct family interviews. This is wonderful if you have gathered together with extended family for the holiday.

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