Kids like to pretend play and act out scenes from home because it is meaningful to them and they can easily relate to real life situations. What could be more meaningful than gathering with family at Thanksgiving?
Here are a few ideas to turn your dramatic play center into a festive and yummy family gathering.
Your kids will love writing their names on the place cards, shopping for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and setting the table for guests!
Thanksgiving Dramatic Play Printables
Thanksgiving is a time for family gatherings and giving thanks so I created this printable Thanksgiving dramatic play mini set for you and your kids to say thanks for stopping by!
Here is what is included in the printable Thanksgiving dramatic play kit:
- Printable Thanksgiving dinner placemat
- 9 Thanksgiving dinner picture word cards
- Shopping list (black and white and color)
- Thanksgiving dinner place cards
Check out this research-based, playful learning unit in our curriculum shop!
The Ultimate Pre-K Thanksgiving Lesson Plan Bundle
15 of our most popular Thanksgiving theme resources, including math and literacy small group activities! Make learning fun with these hands-on resources!
Thanksgiving Dinner Pretend Play Supplies
- Scissors
- Cardstock
- Laminator and Laminating Film
- Pocket Chart or Book Rings
- Red Pom-Poms
- Yellow Pom-Poms
- Play Dishes
- Play Food
I found the clear bowls and table runner at Dollar Tree. The bowls look just like the ones my grandmother used for Thanksgiving!
The bowls are filled with red pom-poms for cranberries, yellow pom-poms for corn, and white cotton balls for mashed potatoes.
I made the turkey legs by stuffing brown lunch bags with tissue, and then I twisted the ends and added tape to make the drumstick.
Shopping for Thanksgiving Dinner
There are two versions of the printable Thanksgiving dinner shopping list, one in black and white and the other in color.
You can print the color shopping list and laminate, then place it on a clipboard along with some vis-a-vis or dry erase markers to be used over and over again.
If you prefer to use the black and white version of the shopping list, just print as many copies as you like and place them on a clipboard along with some pencils.
Thanksgiving Dinner Printable Word Cards
You can print the Thanksgiving dinner word cards on cardstock and laminate for durability.
The word cards can be placed in a pocket chart or hole-punched and placed on a book ring.
Thanksgiving Feast Printable Mini Kit
This printable mini set for Thanksgiving can easily be added to your dramatic play grocery store theme.
Click on the picture above to download the printable Thanksgiving Feast Dramatic Play set.
I know my students will love this! Thanks!
Thank you Karen, glad to hear you can use it in your classroom! I really wanted to do it last year but I ran out of time.
Thanks this looks really great my kids will love this!
Thank you so much! Your ideas are great and I love the things you come up with. My students love them, too!
I love your site. Last night I spent an hour trying to research Thanksgiving activities for my first grader that is working on phonics. Your printables are great and I intend to follow your Pinterest board.
Thanks again!
I love that you encourage dramatic play. So important for a child’s development!
Thank you for your quick response. I was finally able to print. My kids will love this in the dramatic play center. Thanks again!