As a busy mom of three kids ages 9, 11, and 14, Jenni Thye knows firsthand how important it is to keep the youngest guests at Thanksgiving happy and occupied.
“Truth be told, I think a kids’ table is a must now that my kids are even older,” says Thye, who is also owner of Imoni Events (on Instagram @ImoniEvents).
“It gives them a chance to be around people their own age. They do not have to participate in adult discussions. And they certainly do not have to sit for a long, drawn-out dinner. When they are at their own table, they can go at their own pace and do the things they want to do.”
To make a Thanksgiving kids’ table extra enjoyable, Thye suggests having the supplies for a couple of craft projects ready.
Favorites in the Thye home, she says, are turkeys made with Oreos and candies, and providing kids with Polaroid cameras, which they can use to take photos for centerpieces.
An adult can show the kids how to make the Oreo turkeys before turning them loose with the ingredients.
“And putting the kids in charge of taking pictures is a great way to have them take part in the fun and capture the memories of the day,” Thye says.
To add one or both crafts to your kids’ Thanksgiving table this month, you’ll need the following supplies:
Oreo Turkeys
Double Stuf Oreos
Thin pretzel sticks
Candy Corn
Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Malted Milk Balls
Frosting (for “glue”)
Candy Eyes
To assemble turkeys:
Gently push five pieces of candy corn into the filling at the top of an Oreo to make feathers.
For the turkey’s chest, use frosting to stick a peanut butter cup to the front of the cookie. Then use frosting to add either two candy corns or two pretzel sticks on the bottom for “feet.”
To make the turkey’s head, attach a malted milk ball with frosting to the top of the peanut butter cup, and stick on candy eyes and a small piece of broken pretzel for the beak.
Remove the top chocolate layer from another Oreo. Add a stripe of the icing onto the filling piece and then place the decorated turkey Oreo upright, pushing it slightly to hold it in place.
“We usually place all the candies and other items in individual bowls or pre-designate items on paper plates. As kids get older you can have them make multiple turkeys with pumpkin patches and scenery using other candy items,” Thye says.
Thanksgiving Photo Centerpieces
Buy one Polaroid camera for each child.
If necessary, explain how the cameras work and then encourage the kids to take photos of the people, pets, food preparation and/or whatever else they wish at the Thanksgiving get together.
Collect the photos along the way, and use photo holders or simple card holders to display the images around the house. Or, you can ask the kids to choose where their photos are placed.
“Put them on the food table or around the desserts and people can get a kick out of looking at the images from the day,” Thye says.
Favorites in the Thye home, she says, are turkeys made with Oreos and candies, and providing kids with Polaroid cameras, which they can use to take photos for centerpieces.
