Set an Extra-Special Table for the Kids
Make the kids’ table the place to be this Thanksgiving. We put together five festive ways to decorate for the little ones and included activities like crafts and games to keep them engaged. Each of our fun themes is budget-friendly and can be put together with mostly items you already have around the house.
First up: Pumpkin Pie Theme
This tablescape serves up a full helping of cozy Thanksgiving fun just for the kids. Decked out with mini pumpkins, faux pie slices and activities, this setup has everything a child could want. The blue-and-white checked tablecloth and playful pie pans set a sweet retro vibe— because who needs fancy dishes when you’ve got pie tins and a side of cheesy crackers?
Pumpkin Pie Theme: Festive Bunting
This handmade pie slice garland will have the kiddos excited for dessert. Made with orange and yellow bunting, the triangles are topped with brown fringed cardstock for a “pie crust” edge. Each triangle has a dollop of whipped cream-inspired fluff thanks to a giant white pompom. Just affix it with a dot of hot glue.
Pumpkin Pie Theme: Place Setting
Pumpkin Pie Theme: Cheese + Crackers
These cheesy “pie” bites look just like a slice of pumpkin pie. To assemble, spread a dollop of cream cheese on a triangular cracker base, top with a triangle of orange cheddar, and place a rectangle cracker on the edge for the crust. Finish with a dollop of “whipped cream” (whipped cream cheese) on top.
Pumpkin Pie Theme: Easy Pie Dip
This pumpkin pie dip is made with 225g cream cheese, 1 cup canned pumpkin, 1 cup powdered sugar and a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. Serve with leaf-shaped pie crust chips for dipping. Simply cut refrigerated pie dough into leaf or acorn shapes, bake at 200°C for 10 minutes, and let cool before setting them out with the dip for a tasty treat that doubles as table decor.
Acorn Theme: Autumn Colour Palette
This acorn-themed kid’s table celebrates Thanksgiving with a touch of woodland charm. The sunny yellow checked tablecloth brings warm colour, while rustic touches like plush flannel acorns, faux leaves and wooden accents create a playful and inviting autumn atmosphere. Every detail has been chosen to capture the essence of fall fun.
Acorn Theme: Guessing Game Centerpiece
The star of the table is a lively squirrel-themed centerpiece. Two cute faux squirrels gather around a large jar filled with acorns, inviting kids to take part in a playful guessing game. The challenge? Guess the number of acorns in the jar for a chance to win a small prize, or perhaps one of these furry friends. This interactive centerpiece adds fun to the table while capturing the spirit of Thanksgiving’s bounty. If you don’t have a source for lots of acorns, you can find convincing faux acorns in bulk in craft stores and online.
Acorn Theme: Layers of Nature
This table wouldn’t be complete without these natural touches: mini pinecones, vibrant faux autumn leaves and cozy felt maple leaf coasters. Scattered around the table, these small details evoke a walk through a fall forest, bringing a layered look to the table.
Acorn Theme: Beading
Add a hands-on activity with beading fun. Kids can string together colourful wooden beads, including mini acorns, pumpkins and multicoloured accents to create necklaces and bracelets they can wear home. This engaging craft offers a creative break before or after dinner and doubles as a memorable keepsake. This is a simple, non-messy, creative way to entertain and add extra fun to the day.
Acorn Theme: Peanut Butter Cookies
These mini acorn cookies are not only delicious but also easy and fun to make. To create them, break a peanut-shaped peanut butter cookie in half, dip the broken end in melted chocolate and then into chocolate sprinkles for the ‘acorn cap.’ Top it off with a tiny pretzel stem, and set the cookies on parchment to dry until firm. These tasty acorns make a playful edible decoration around the table, bringing a sweet bite and festive touch to each place setting.
Harvest Theme: Table Setting
This apple harvest kids table is filled with autumnal flavours and festive fun. With its buffalo-plaid tablecloth, pops of red apples and playful details, this tablescape creates an inviting Thanksgiving setting for younger guests. The cozy yet stylish design is perfect for kids but polished enough to easily pivot to a tween’s table — capturing the charm of the season for any age group.
Harvest Theme: Apple Pretzel Bites
These adorable apple pretzel bites are both a treat and a decoration. To make them, place mini pretzel twists on parchment paper, fill each hole with melted red candy, and top with a chocolate sprinkle “stem” (a piece of pretzel) and a tiny leaf-shaped sprinkle before the candy sets. Let them cool, then arrange on the table for a pop of red that’s tasty and fun for kids.
Harvest Theme: Apple + Dip
Pumpkin Patch Theme: Table Setting
This cozy Thanksgiving tablescape invites kids to their own pumpkin patch adventure. With playful green gingham, pumpkin-themed decor and fun autumn-inspired activities, this table is ready for pint-sized guests to have a memorable time.
Pumpkin Patch Theme: Place Setting
Each place setting is crafted with seasonal details, including green gingham napkins and pumpkin-shaped napkin rings. A personalised wooden pumpkin place card sits beside each plate with the child’s name written in permanent marker. To make these, pick up a bag of assorted wooden pumpkin shapes from a craft store, then use acrylic paint to colour them orange with a green stem. When dry, use larger pumpkins as place cards and scatter smaller painted pumpkins across the. Under each plate, a pickup truck sticker game doubles as a placemat, adding extra fun before or after the meal.
Pumpkin Patch Theme: Trail Mix
Perfect for snacking or as a take-home treat, this simple trail mix combines granola, candy pumpkins and candy-coated peanut butter candies. Serve it in a bowl for noshing while waiting for the meal, or bag it with a rustic ribbon for a thoughtful party favour.
Pumpkin Patch Theme: Pumpkin Hunt Game
Traditional Theme: Centrepiece
Traditional Theme: Place Cards
Make an interactive table cloth using either black banner paper or chalkboard paper. No need for separate place cards, simply write the child’s name on the paper. Trace a few leaves for decoration and to give the kids something to color while they wait for dinner.
Traditional Theme: Tablecloth
Make sure to leave out plenty of chalk or chalk markers so the kids can get creative with the chalkboard tablecloth. For younger kids, draw the outlines so they can simply colour in the shapes.