history – Homeschool With Joy

Hi, there! Yes, I’m alive… It’s been an extremely busy couple of months, whack-a-mole-ing lots of health stuff and other big to-dos. Sorry for being missing in action a bit there. Oh, well – I’m here now! And, now Thanksgiving is almost upon us!

Thanksgiving week can be a busy time as we prepare to visit family, especially when you’re packing for Grandma’s house!

But don’t worry, I’ve got a list of creative and fun activities to keep your kids happily occupied.

They’re all 100% engaging and enjoyable ways to celebrate the season and make meaningful memories without spending a lot of money on supplies or needing lots of prep.

Hint: These aren’t just busy work kinds of things like word searches… I remember dreading those and crosswords as a kid. Holy booooring, Batman!

Thanksgiving: Celebrating the History & Traditions with Dave Stotts | Drive Thru History Special

This special episode from Drive Thru History dives into the history and traditions of Thanksgiving. Dave Stotts brings history to life in a way that’s entertaining and educational.

Cue the dad joes!! His engaging storytelling will capture your kids’ attention and provide a deeper understanding of why we celebrate this holiday. It’s perfect for keeping your kids engaged and learning while you handle travel preparations. It’s also entertaining for littles as well as older kids. Can’t beat that!

Thanksgiving Mats for Pattern Blocks

I know you probably have pattern blocks around the house somewhere. When you decide to homeschool, your Official Pattern Blocks arrive on your doorstep almost instantly. Well, just kidding… but it feels like everyone has these!

These Thanksgiving printable mats from This Reading Mama are fantastic for hands-on, creative play. Kids can use pattern blocks to create festive shapes and designs, combining art with a bit of geometry. It’s a wonderful way to keep their minds active and their hands busy with a fun, educational activity.

Fall Playdough Mats

These printable fall playdough mats, also from This Reading Mama, are a great way for kids to use their imaginations and fine motor skills. The fall-themed mats add a seasonal twist that will keep them entertained while you pack. I recommend laminating them or putting them in a page protector, taping the end.

They have the following pages to print for free:
● apple basket- add apples to the basket
● apple tree- add apples to the tree
● scarecrow- add a hat, scarf, straw, a face, etc.
● fall tree- add colorful leaves to the tree or ground
● raking leaves- add the prongs or handle to the rake
● pumpkin- add a face or vines to the pumpkin
● turkey- add colorful tail feathers
● Mayflower- add sails to the ship or water below

Printable Fall Leaf Crafts

This fall leaf craft from The Secret Life of Homeschoolers is perfect for busy homeschoolers, requiring only a few common supplies and a printer. Kids will collect fall leaves, hole-punch them, and glue the pieces onto printable worksheets to create beautiful fall pictures.

With three different worksheets to choose from, children can color their pages first, then use the hole-punched leaves to decorate. This craft not only encourages outdoor activity and fine motor skills but also provides opportunities for additional learning, such as leaf identification and creative storytelling. It’s a fun, engaging, and educational way to enjoy the fall season.

Easy Watercolor Resist Fall Leaves Art Project

This art project from Deep Space Sparkle is perfect for kids of all ages! Older kids can be more detailed while younger kids can focus on making the art more basic. Using watercolor paints and a simple resist technique, they can create beautiful fall leaf artwork.

It’s a great way to let their artistic side shine – while you take care of packing or stirring the cranberry sauce on the stove! Wait, you don’t do that? That’s my favorite thing, oh my goodness… It makes me feel like a Gummi Bear making Gummiberry Juice.

Free Printable Thanksgiving Poetry Book

I’m a HUGE fan of the Homeschool Compass! Poetry can be a soothing and introspective activity and as an English major, I don’t see poetry itself as an option. Our homeschool has always had lots of poetry in the air!

This beautiful, lush watercolor free printable includes beautiful poems perfect for the season, allowing your children to explore language and expression. Reading and discussing these poems can also provide a calming break in the midst of holiday hustle and bustle. We usually use these after dinner, covering one a night.

Read Aloud Revival November Book List

This carefully curated list of Thanksgiving-themed picture books is perfect for cozy reading, putting temptingly in a basket by the couch. Reserving these books from your local library can provide hours of engaging and educational content for your kids. I always love the picks from Read Aloud Revival! Many of them have become family favorites year after year.

These activities are more than just time-fillers… they are invitations for your children to dive into the spirit of Thanksgiving with creativity and joy.

As you get everything ready for your family gathering, these engaging tasks will not only keep your kids happily occupied, but also deepen their appreciation for the holiday’s rich traditions and values.

Let the fun begin!

Scatter Joy,