It can be overwhelming when your kids are home for Thanksgiving break, especially if you’re trying to get ready for a big family meal. This year you can be prepared by using some of these educational Thanksgiving activities for kids to keep your children occupied (and learning!)

1. I Am Thankful Poem Writing Prompt:
What is your child thankful for this year? Is he able to express it as a poem? Print and follow the directions for the “I Am Thankful For” writing prompt and you’ll be amazed at how easy it is for him to express appreciation this year.

2. Native American Dreamcatcher Craft for Kids:
Did you know that legend says the Objiwe tribe was so plagued by nightmares that they put together a council of elders to figure out what to do about it? Learn more about the origin of Native American Dreamcatchers and help your child make her own so that she only has pleasant dreams this holiday season.

3. Indian Corn Decoration for Thanksgiving
: It may be pretty, but it doesn’t taste like the corn we’re used to. Learn fun facts about Indian Corn and put your child’s fine motor skills to use making a tissue paper Indian Corn decoration for Thanksgiving.

4. Thanksgiving Rubber Stamp Projects:
From napkin rings to place settings, you can help your child practice his “company” manners and table-setting skills, as you make a number of Thanksgiving crafts to spruce up the table.

5. Printable Thanksgiving Worksheets:
If you’re worried your child is going to lose skills over Thanksgiving break, print some of this free worksheets to keep her mind sharp (and her body occupied) as you cook and entertain.

6. Thanksgiving Trivia (and Crafts):
Is Thanksgiving a “real” holiday? Did Pilgrim children go to the same type of school kids go to today? As you answers these questions, you can find a number of different crafts to help support the answers.

7. Turkey Trivia and Crafts:
Did you know a scared turkey can fly as fast as a car drives on the interstate? Who was it that wanted the turkey to be the American national bird? Find out the answers to these turkey facts (and more) while you explore different the turkey crafts to go with them!

8. Cookie Candy Turkeys:
This year make making the Thanksgiving meal a family affair. These microwavable treats help your kids learn to measure, count and be independent. And they’re delicious, too!

9. The Book of Thanks:
The Book of Thanks can be made in so many different ways. You can ask your child to dedicate a page to each person who will be at your Thanksgiving table or have each person at your Thanksgiving table dedicate a page to what they are thankful for However you do it, this book will be a keepsake for years to come.

10. Tree of Thankfulness:
This year, put an educational spin on your Thanksgiving centerpiece. You can build a beautiful tree, using sticks, a vase, pebbles and clay. But the most important part are the leaves--each one tells in your children’s own words what they are thankful for.