Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be all about adult conversations and formal dining. This year, flip the script with a Friendsgiving bash that puts kids at the center of the celebration! With silly games, tasty bites, and creative crafts, everyone will want a seat at the kids’ table.

Kid-Approved Mini Mains & Sweet Treats: This menu is built for tiny hands and big appetites.

*Pro Tip: Let kids help set up, decorate, and serve. When they’re part of the party crew, the celebration feels even more magical.

Turkey Sliders

• Layer Hawaiian rolls with turkey, cheese, bacon, ranch
• Brush tops with melted butter + parsley
• Bake at 350°F for 10–15 min
• Serve with sweet potato fries
• Hot Tip: Prep the sliders the night before and refrigerate—just pop them in the oven before serving!

Pumpkin Fondue

• Melt Gruyère + Emmantaler cheese with broth and nutmeg
• Stir in canned pumpkin for creamy goodness
• Dip with angel food cake, pretzels, bananas, apples
• Hot Tip: Serve in a hollowed-out mini pumpkin for extra wow-factor—and fewer dishes!

Mini Caramel Apples

• Scoop apple balls with a melon baller
• Dip in caramel, roll in sprinkles or nuts
• Stick, dry, and devour!
• Hot Tip: Chill apple balls before dipping—they hold their shape better and the caramel sticks more easily.

Gobble Games: Gratitude in Motion

Turkey Waddle Relay

The Setup: 

• Blow up a bunch of medium-sized balloons (orange, red, or yellow for extra turkey vibes).
• Mark a start and finish line using tape, cones, or mini pumpkins.
• Divide kids into teams and line them up behind the start.

How to Play: Waddle to the finish line with a balloon between your knees—no hands! If it drops, start over. Tag your teammate to keep the relay going. First team to finish line wins!

Fall Scavenger Hunt

Choose your style: Nature walk, photo hunt, or door-to-door item search.

How to Play: Give each child a checklist of fall-themed items (e.g., red leaf, turkey napkin, pumpkin label). They can collect, photograph, or check off each item as they find it. First person or team to find all items wins!

Craft Corner: DIY Fun for Little Turkeys

Art on the Table: Cover the table with butcher paper and tape down sections for each child. Let kids doodle, play tic-tac-toe, or write bubble-letter names. Cut out their “canvases” as take-home placemats!

Leaf Garland: Make a festive leaf garland by cutting leaves from construction paper or felt, decorating them with glitter, stickers, or messages, and stringing them together with yarn to hang across the table or doorway.

Thanksgiving Tree: Kids paint a tree trunk on poster board, then trace and cut out colorful handprint “leaves” from construction paper. On each handprint, they write something they’re thankful for—family, pets, pizza, anything! Glue the handprints onto the branches to build a vibrant gratitude tree. Add a title, stickers, or fall-themed decorations to finish it off.