Free Thanksgiving Preschool Lesson Plans

Thanksgiving preschool lesson plans? Oh yeah, they’re the secret gravy to a classroom that hums with giggles, learning, and a whole lot of silly turkey talk. These lesson plans for preschoolers? Packed with easy wins: think games with gobbling, stories that warm tiny hearts, and hands-on crafts that don’t leave you covered in glitter (unless you’re into that). Not to mention, we cover all the content areas to make your preschool lesson planning all the easier!

Imagine this: a tiny voice belts out “Gobble, gobble!” while holding up a paper turkey that’s seen better days, and you couldn’t be prouder. Thanksgiving preschool lesson plans have that magic. They’re fun, flexible, and full of chances to squeeze meaningful learning into all the moments in the classroom or at home.

And these lesson plans for preschoolers? They’re your best bet for turning a busy season into a smooth one.

It’s not about pulling off a Pinterest-perfect Thanksgiving unit. It’s about using the season to bring in colors, songs, books, and simple conversations that help your students grow and learn about thankfulness and gratitude. The truth is, kids don’t need elaborate activities; they need connection. And when they hear a funny turkey song or help build a classroom “Thankful Tree,” they’re building skills and memories at the same time.

Hands-on Preschool Activities for a Thanksgiving Theme

Learn about being thankful and celebrating one another not just at Thanksgiving, but any time of year! These are the perfect activities to keep with your Thanksgiving lesson plans

Pair these Thanksgiving lesson plans with our preschool lesson plans on gratitude.

Literacy Activities for a Thanksgiving Preschool Theme

Alphabet Turkey Feathers – Get artsy with this craft and learning activity. Cut out 26 feathers from construction paper and write a letter on each feather. Invite your preschooler to color a paper plate brown. Glue feathers to the back in alphabetical order to create a turkey. Decorate the turkey face any way you like. Sing the ABC song with your new turkey friend!

Thanksgiving Predictable Chart – This simple poster is great for encouraging your preschooler to use sentence patterns to feel empowered to read. Using a piece of large construction paper, write: (your preschooler’s name) is thankful for ______. Draw a quick picture of what your preschooler listed. Move onto other family/friend’s names and continue with the same sentence pattern, ending with a picture. Invite your preschooler to poll everyone and report back to you as the writer. Encourage your preschooler to read the sentences along with you!

Thanksgiving Picture Books for Kids

One of the best ways to teach preschoolers about any theme is by hand-selecting the highest quality picture books! This is a book list for our best-loved books for showing love and appreciation during this thankful season.

Math and Science Activities for a Thanksgiving Preschool Theme

Catch the Turkey Number Game – Print and mix up the playing cards. If the player draws a number card, the player reads the number and then places it in the discard pile. If the player draws a turkey card, he must say, “Gobble, gobble, gobble” in his best turkey gobbling voice. He then gets to keep the turkey card until the end of the game. The goal is to collect the most turkey cards. This game builds number recognition and cooperative skills and is perfect for circle time!

Beaded Feather Turkeys – This fun math activity uses beads and pipe cleaners to make simple patterns. Stringing and counting beads is a fine motor activity, plus it’s a class favorite!

Thanksgiving Nutrition– Look through holiday food ads and help your preschooler cut out food items. Then sort by “healthy” foods or “sometimes” foods. Discuss what the difference is between “healthy” foods and “sometimes” foods and why “sometimes” foods are saved for special treats. What are some foods that we enjoy during our Thanksgiving dinner?

Playful Learning Activities for a Thanksgiving Preschool Theme

Indoor Snowball Toss – Does it snow on Thanksgiving where you live? Prepare for cold weather with an indoor snowball toss. Grab some white paper or tissue paper and crumple it into balls. Grab some buckets and create a point-based toss game. Or have a good old-fashioned snowball fight! Turn it into a fun learning game and write letters and/or numbers on the inside of the paper snowballs. Then crumple them up, enjoy the snowball fight, and unwrap each snowball and identify the letter or number!

Turkey Suncatchers – These turkey suncatchers will brighten up your windows. Follow the instructions to make the turkey template and then add tissue paper to make a beautiful, light-filled mosaic. This makes a gorgeous art display or a token of appreciation to share with a loved one.

Gratitude Lists – Make a list of random, everyday items around the house and challenge your preschooler to think of a reason why they’re thankful for each specific item. Invite them to draw a picture and/or write alongside of you.

Social-Emotional Learning for a Thanksgiving Preschool Theme

Gratitude Jar – Grab an old coffee can or plastic bottle and practice being grateful. Remind your preschooler to think of something they’re grateful for. This could be anything from their favorite food to crayons to family members. Invite them to add a marble or candy to the jar every time they think of something that brings joy to their life. See how full you can get the jar and celebrate the many wonderful things in your life! This simple preschool thankful idea is great for use any time of the year! Incorporate a gratitude journal for you and your preschooler to reflect on together.

Gratitude Leaf Garland – Trace leaves on construction or cardstock paper or grab some fake silk leaves. Invite your preschooler to cut out the leaves and think of things that they’re thankful for. Encourage them to share why they’re thankful for these things. Using a black marker, write the thankful words or notes on each leaf. Then hot glue or clip the leaves to a piece of yarn or string. Knot the end and wear or display proudly! This garland is perfect to use in other themes or even holidays. Sharing your gratitude for others is an important life skill in preschool and beyond. A simple way to teach preschool gratitude!

Just Plain Fun Activities for a Thanksgiving Preschool Theme

The First Thanksgiving Snack – Grab some yummy snack foods and invite your family members or friends to contribute their snacks to a large communal bowl. Mix the snack and discuss sharing and being grateful for one another and the yummy food that you are blessed to have and share.

Sponge Turkey Hats – Using a paper plate, colored construction paper, and some fall-colored paint…get ready to make adorable turkey hats! Grab some sponges and invite your preschooler to dip their sponge into the paint and stamp it onto the paper plate in any pattern or print they like.

Pipe Cleaner Turkey Prints – Shape a turkey foot out of a pipe cleaner and use it to stamp prints with paint. Make a line across the paper or use it as a counting math game. Or make some fun Thanksgiving art with a variety of colored paints!

Get Online Activities for a Thanksgiving Preschool Theme

Online Story – Go to YouTube and listen to the book Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson. After reading this story, invite your preschooler to share what special things they have to share with others. Is it drawing pictures? Or singing songs for all to hear? Or maybe it’s being the best helper in the house. Encourage your preschooler to recognize their own value.

Turkey Freeze Dance – Burn off some of that energy with this fun dance! This choreographed dance helps your preschooler learn the moves and song sequence.

Ten Little Turkeys Song – A classic tune perfect for a Thanksgiving remake!

Grab our Weekly Thematic Activity Plans

Engaging, hands-on themes that complement your math and literacy curriculum.

Thanksgiving Activities for Kids

Want even more Thanksgiving activities for little ones? You’ll also love these!

• Thanksgiving Early Literacy Activities for Preschoolers
• 20+ Thanksgiving Crafts for Preschool
• Printable Turkey Activities for Kids
• Turkey Activities Printable Pack

Get your FREE Thanksgiving Preschool Lesson Plans Here

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FAQ About Teaching a Thanksgiving Theme

Thanksgiving Toys for the Classroom

Grab these Thanksgiving themed activity sets and learning resources to make your Thanksgiving theme more engaging! We’ve hand picked a few of our favorite ideas, so check out the links below.