I am so grateful for Thanksgiving. What a great holiday! A day to remember what we have as a gift from Providence and to acknowledge how truly blessed we are. Yes, we eat and fellowship, but above all, we give thanks to the Creator for His goodness towards us.
Gratitude Journal
Friends, if you feel like you have nothing to be grateful for, think again. You are alive, reading things on the internet on some rather expensive device, willing and able to homeschool, you had a good meal not too long ago, you have a home and a family and children. You probably have a car and a pet. Do you know how many people in the world would love to be in your position? Look around you. All the things. Give thanks for what you have. If you develop gratitude for what you have, you will receive more. But if you despise and neglect and mismanage what you already possess, you will have more to complain about. Gratitude is key to receiving promotion.
Previous Thanksgiving Posts
Below, I have assembled some previous blog posts from our past Thanksgivings.
A French Thanksgiving – FREE vocabulary cards to download
Thanksgiving Unit Study – for younger kids
2017 Thanksgiving – book titles and crafts
Thanksgiving for Older Kids
Books
Here is a list of books about Thanksgiving which teens might enjoy. Please preview these titles before handing them to your teens. You know if your children can handle some of these subjects. [affiliate links – thanks for your support!]
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie – Indian perspective and gratitude amid challenges
Part-Time Indian
Educated by Tara Westover – thankfulness for education
The Giver by Lois Lowry (Get the 4-book set if they like the first volume.) – dystopian, so you can discuss societal freedoms we appreciate
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly – murder mystery, based on a true story, exploring themes of resilience, ambition, historical introspection, and family pressures.
Crafts with a Cool Twist
Teens crave purpose, so skip the glue-gun basics. Dive into upcycled decor: Transform old jars into gratitude lanterns by etching quotes from historical figures (think Lincoln’s words on unity) with a Dremel tool—perfect for art or civics integration. Or design custom family crests on Canva, printing them as table runners. These aren’t kiddie stuff; they’re Instagram-worthy heirlooms. And how about DIY Gratitude Journals? Get regular notebooks and have your teens decorate them with a thankfulness theme.
Family Activities with a Teen Twist
Teens crave independence, so involve them in planning. Kick off with a gratitude jar project: Throughout November, everyone writes daily notes on what they’re thankful for—maybe tech gadgets, favorite bands, or global issues they’re passionate about. On Thanksgiving, read them aloud for heartfelt discussions.
For active fun, organize a family service day. Volunteer at a local food bank or create care packages for the homeless. It’s a hands-on way to teach empathy and history, tying into homeschool lessons on American civics or social studies.
If weather permits, try a nature scavenger hunt with a Thanksgiving theme: Hunt for items like acorns (symbolizing harvest) or colorful leaves, then discuss Native American influences on the holiday.
Festive Foods Teens Will Love
Get teens in the kitchen for skill-building. Bake pumpkin spice muffins with a twist—add chocolate chips or experiment with vegan versions for science lessons on substitutions. For mains, let them lead on stuffed acorn squash, incorporating global flavors like curry for a cultural history angle. Don’t forget apple cider mocktails: Mix cider with ginger ale and fruit for a fun, non-alcoholic treat.
Thanksgiving with teens is about fostering connections and growth. These ideas build on our younger-kid traditions while adapting to their interests. What are your family’s favorites? Share in the comments!
