Thanksgiving Kids Table Ideas

Make the Thanksgiving kids' table the highlight of the holiday. Discover easy DIY crafts, games and activities to keep the kids busy and entertained.

Inspiration
5 November 2024

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

Disposable tinfoil pie plates serve as the dishes at each place setting, accented by silver-edged napkins and bright orange felt pie-slice place cards. DIY your own place cards by cutting orange felt triangles (use a bunting triangle as a template), add a fringed brown “crust” edge, and glue a fluffy white pompom on top. Add each child’s name with a permanent marker, and your place cards are good to go. Add mini wooden rolling pins as table decor, which perfectly ties in with the pie party theme.

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

Apple slices with peanut butter make a healthy, kid-approved snack for pre- or post-dinner enjoyment. If you’re serving kids with peanut allergies, caramel makes a delicious substitute. Place plates of sliced apples and dips on the table for an easy, irresistible treat for all ages.

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

Get the kids outside for a mini pumpkin scavenger hunt or bring the activity indoors if it’s chilly. Just like an Easter egg hunt, this activity involves searching for hidden mini pumpkins. Real mini pumpkins can be used, but little faux pumpkins are plentiful at craft stores and can be used again next year. The child who finds the most wins a small prize — a chocolate bar or a fun trinket.

Photo: Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith. From: H. Camille Smith.

Traditional Theme: Centrepiece

Want to entice a snarky tween to sit at the kids’ table? Try a giant chocolate turkey centrepiece. The thought (bribe?) of tearing this sweet treat apart after the meal may keep all the kids on their best behaviour. To keep this setting casual and practical, try drawable paper for the tablecloth and fold napkin bandanas into pockets with bamboo cutlery tucked inside.

Photo: Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith. From: H. Camille Smith.

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.

Photo: Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith. From: H. Camille Smith.

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.

Photo: Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith. From: H. Camille Smith.

Traditional Theme: Special Drinkware

Paper plates and bamboo flatware are practical and stylish, but if you want to step it up a notch, serve drinks in lidded vintage-style milk bottles. Use a glass marker to write each child’s name on the bottle and let them take it home as a party favor.

You May Also Like

Explore More

Advertisement