Thanksgiving activities are involving less traveling for Americans this year, undoubtedly because of the economy and gas prices, according to a recent press release from AAA. In spite or because of this, Thanksgiving worksheets, Thanksgiving printables, Thanksgiving word searches, Thanksgiving coloring pages, and Thanksgiving puzzles are becoming very hot and highly sought-after activities for keeping children (and adults?) busy this holiday. Clearly such things are useful during travel and at home, potentially increasing everyone’s involvement and happiness while decreasing possible friction or stress.
Americans traveling to visit friends or relatives on Thanksgiving has apparently dropped by about 600,000 this year, reported AAA. There are still millions traveling (making this number appear insignificant), but the drop is still likely a sign of our times. Even though gas prices have recently been dramatically reduced (back to prices which equate more or less to gas prices a decade ago!), most people have probably made their plans ahead of time and may have concluded well beforehand that they would stay home this Thanksgiving. Even while gas prices drop, other associated costs and expenses may influence the decision for some to remain at home for the holidays.
Whether or not you are traveling and looking to entertain yourself or your children on your journey, or you are one of many who’d prefer to stay put this year, you may be among millions interested in the variety of free or cheap, easy Thanksgiving activities this year. Families are eagerly searching for any great inexpensive way to keep spirits and festivity high.
Kaboose.com has a great list of resources for fun activities for families and children at Thanksgiving time. One example is the Thanksgiving printable project for a turkey pumpkin, in which you attach the printable, completed turkey character to an actual pumpkin. Cute and decorative– a great way to involve kids in making a potential centerpiece (especially for the kids’ table). This is best as an at-home activity for obvious reasons. If you sign up for newsletters from Kaboose, you can be kept up to date on offered printables and other crafts and activity ideas. Kaboose also offers Thanksgiving coloring pages and Thanksgiving puzzles such as word puzzles, which work well for simpler and/or travel-friendly activities.
In a recent piece by Michele Cheplic at Families.com, you’ll find a full week’s worth of activities to engage kids in the holiday. Some are not entirely practical or possible for many (including a day-trip to a theme park!), while others give tips on games and cheap fun (making natural decorations, free, for example) which are easily accessible and a great way to occupy kids in a merry manner– without the use of the television, even possibly involving getting the kids outdoors to enjoy some fresh air.
Visit these resourceful links for a nice variety of other Thanksgiving worksheets, Thanksgiving word searches, and more– and enjoy your travel time or home time with reduced stress and happy attitudes.
AAA Tips to Minimize Holiday Travel Stress, Kansas News and Weather- KWCH
Thanksgiving 2008, Kaboose Holidays
Michele Cheplic, A Week’s Worth of Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Kids, Families.com
