For many of us, the upcoming Thanksgiving break is a wonderful time to spend with family and friends. But what are you going to do with all the days off? There’s only so much stuffing you can eat and only so much holiday shopping a family can endure before the fatigue sets in.
Here are 15 things to do over Thanksgiving break that’ll get you moving, use your creativity, and maybe even show some gratitude. Choose a few to do over the break and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Make Thanksgiving Day fancy.
Not having family over and making it an intimate affair? Make the day special by changing up the menu. At my house, we’re forgoing the turkey in favor of a simple roast chicken, but my kids and husband do insist on cranberry sauce and “too much pie.” But even though you aren’t doing a daylong cook-fest (takeout, anyone?) you can still make the meal special. Have your kids make decorations for the table. Make it fancy and dress up for the family gathering or virtual call (from the waist up is just fine). Bring out the good napkins and fold them up in a special way. It’ll make all that pie taste better.
- Related: Decorations for the table
Make holiday cards and gifts.
Get a head start on your holiday mailing. If your loved ones are in another country, even British Columbia, everything should be in the mail by early December. Within the U.S., it’s mid-December. So put your kids to work making cards and writing notes. Your family will love them!
November 28 is Native American Heritage Day.
Take some time to learn about local Indigenous People. A great place to start is the Hibulb Cultural Center website. Particularly suitable for kids are the stories in the “Storytelling” section and the “History Minute” videos.
Have a neighborhood dinner.
With the arrival of the usual winter viruses, you may want to gather with your neighbors or extended family to share a potluck. On your block, travel from driveway to driveway and break some bread. You bring your own main dish. One household hosts appetizers, another hosts a couple of sides, and another supplies dessert. Eat at tables set up in the house or get together at a park picnic shelter.
Here is our guide to holiday cooking with the kids! Need to bring a dish to the neighborhood dinner? We’ve got you covered with our five kinds of stuffing recipes for Thanksgiving.
Go for a walk or a hike.
You can do it in almost any weather (I draw the line at freezing rain, particularly if sideways). It’s simple and safe, and you can go to different places depending on the time you have and the enthusiasm of your walking buddies.
Here are some places to try:
- Easy and kid-friendly fall hikes in the Seattle area
- 5 beach walks for Seattle-area families on winter days
Watch a holiday film.
When it’s too cold and dark to go outside, snuggling up on the couch with a hot cup of cocoa to watch a holiday movie is the perfect solution. Here is our list of family holiday films that everyone can enjoy!
Play board games and card games.
Here are some great ones to try:
Exercise gratitude.
Remembering what you are thankful for is a documented way to boost mental health. Here’s a list of gratitude-boosting activities for kids.
Explore nature.
Take a hike at one of these three magnificent hikes on the Eastside. Or stop by the body of water nearest you and watch the ducks hanging out there for the winter. Or spend some creative hours with playthings from nature.
Get crafty.
You can try making a pumpkin apple stamp or fall luminaries using our easy fall craft projects for kids.
Get outta the rain and cold weather.
Take your little ones to an indoor play space and let them burn off that energy (and extra Thanksgiving desserts)
Meet some furry friends.
Animal sanctuaries offer kids a heartwarming way to connect with creatures great and small. Spend the day learning, petting, and supporting local rescues. Plan a family visit to an animal sanctuary.
Go troll hunting.
They’re big, whimsical, and hiding in plain sight! Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s giant troll sculptures are scattered around the region — and discovering them feels like a fairy-tale quest. Find all five trolls near Seattle.
Join a fun run.
Dress up, stretch out, and hit the course! Fall fun runs combine exercise with festive themes — from Halloween costumes to turkey trots. Check out fall fun runs around Seattle.
Catch a show.
Seattle’s stages are buzzing this fall with kid-friendly plays, musicals, and performances for every age. From puppets to fairy tales, these shows make a perfect family outing. See our fall theater guide.
Go on a holiday train outing.
Many of the Holiday trains start to open up and run in November, whether it is becoming a passenger on the Polar Express in Chehalis or exploring giant layouts of winter train villages with holiday festivities and fun! Check out our full list of family-friendly Holiday train outings in Seattle and the vicinity.
