Bring the kids into the kitchen this Thanksgiving. Here are some easy, kid friendly recipes for your Thanksgiving appetizers, main course sides, and desserts:
My kids want to help in the kitchen intermittently.
Basically, if they’re having fun elsewhere, they aren’t interested. If they’re bored and might get to stir or mix… they’re all for it. But, during the holidays, there’s a lot of desire to help out!
Thankfully, if you have a few kids and don’t want to have them all in the kitchen at once (I certainly never do!) there’s also a lot of opportunity to take turns getting the kids in the kitchen.
What's in this post...
Thanksgiving Appetizers that Kids Can Make
Everyone loves a good Thanksgiving appetizer. It’s going to be so rewarding for your kiddo to see their creation being enjoyed by the family on Thanksgiving day.
- Charcuterie boards– There’s so much creativity that can go into these cheese, cracker, and meat spreads. Kids can easily place items around to make a fun design. You can even have them arrange them into a turkey like this one.
- Cheese Balls– Every family has their favorite cheese ball appetizer. If you don’t… this year is the time to start one. Kids can help you mold the ingredients and arrange everything on the platter. Here is a cute turkey cheeseball to try!
In just 15 minutes a night (while you’re in your pajamas!) take your home (and heart and mind) from stressed out to organized.
- Veggie Trays – A personal favorite. I love seeing the bright veggies all organized together into a beautiful pattern. I also love seeing the kids have fun making designs with their vegetables. It’s even better to see everyone enjoy it. Here is a cute turnkey and ranch dip veggie tray idea.
- Baked Mini Tarts – These are sure to have that “wow” appetizer factor. Mini tarts can be filled with just about anything delicious and set out as an appetizer. Kids love stuffing and decorating these! Here are 25 savory tart recipes to try for Thanksgiving.
- Kabobs– Not just any kabobs… appetizer kabobs. For Thanksgiving you can have the kids string up olives, cheese squares, peppers, or even pieces of turkey. Want to have to real fun with it? Stick the sharp end of the sticks into a squash that’s decorated like a turkey. It’s going to be super cute!
Gratitude is a learned skill. Help avoid selfishness and entitlement by nurturing gratitude.
Learn MoreMain Course Additions that Kids Can Make
Bring the kids into the kitchen for these main course additions to the Thanksgiving meal. Kids can make (or assist in making) these side dishes.
- Pumpkin Creations– Anything with pumpkins makes a great addition to a Thanksgiving main course. You’ll find anything from pumpkin bread to pumpkin pasta here. Best of all, they are all kid friendly recipes.
- Macaroni Dishes – I don’t know anyone who dislikes macaroni. Especially if it’s cheesy macaroni. Here is a great selection of macaroni dishes that kids can make. Add any of these savory additions to your Thanksgiving main course.
- Potatoes Everything – These kid friendly potatoes recipes are good for any dinner, but Thanksgiving especially. You’ve got mashed potatoes, grilled potatoes, roasted potatoes, potatoes soup, and potatoes salad recipes.
- Fritters– Fritters can be a fun and easy way to include kids in the Thanksgiving meal prep. Mixing, making patties, and shaping fritters can be great fun! Here you’ll find a variety of fritter recipes from zucchini to squash fritters. Check out these pumpkin fritters. Super easy!
- Crostinis– Check out these holiday crostini recipes. Kids will have fun layering and decorating this finger food to serve at Thanksgiving.
Read: Christmas Recipes Kids Can Make (Without The Mess!)
Desserts and Sweets that Kids Can Make for Thanksgiving
Desserts can be so much fun to create! Here are some simple Thanksgiving sweets that kids can make and bring to your family dinner.
- Apple Desserts– Kids will have so much fun making these apple dessert creations. Here you will find 6 easy apple recipes that kids can create, share, and enjoy.
- Fruit Cups or Cones– Choosing your favorite fruits and arranging them into a cup, cone, or tart is an adorable way to have the kids help with Thanksgiving dessert. And, any age can do this. Here is a recipe for a Thanksgiving “cornucopia” with drizzled honey on top.
- Popcorn Creations– Homemade popcorn is super fun and easy. You can have the kids add in topping such as chocolate, caramel, or even candy corn. Check out this is a recipe for turning popcorn into Thanksgiving popcorn balls.
Want to spend a few hours preparing for the WHOLE YEAR ahead? Yes, yes it’s possible. Print and plan away.
- Fruit Salads– Fruit salads are a family favorite. The Kids love choosing which fruits to add in, mixing, and eating! Here is a Thanksgiving fruit salad recipe that includes grapes, oranges, cinnamon, cranberries, and more.
- No-Bake Turkey Cookies– All you need are a few already made ingredients (fudge rounds, nutter-butters, and candy corn) and a tube of frosting to hold these Thanksgiving turkey cookies altogether.
Leave a Comment