As the upcoming holiday season approaches, we’ve curated videos to help you create Thanksgiving activities for students. Here you’ll find ideas for Thanksgiving activities for elementary students and high school students, as well as Thanksgiving activities for the classroom. From the history of the first holiday to the origin story of native feasts, learn about the various Thanksgiving activities for students in these educational videos.

Additional resources:

• Here are free Thanksgiving lesson plans for grades 3-5 in Math, Language Arts, and History.
  • Download the Math lesson plan here
  • Download the Language Arts lesson plan here
  • Download the History lesson plan here 
• For students in middle school and high school, use these six digital learning activities to accompany the videos.

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Historical Thanksgiving Activities for Students

History of Thanksgiving For Kids - Bedtime History

Learn about the historical context and significance of the first Thanksgiving celebration in America in 1621 at Plymouth all the way to the establishment of a national holiday thanks to Sarah Josepha Hale. From “History of Thanksgiving for Kids - Bedtime History,” students will be able to identify key events and individuals involved in the establishment of Thanksgiving as a national holiday in the United States. Create Thanksgiving activities for elementary students to compare and contrast modern American Thanksgiving celebrations with the original feast held by the Pilgrims in Plymouth.

Thanksgiving - One Minute History

The historical significance of the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag natives is pertinent to the evolution of Thanksgiving celebrations that have manifested over time. “Thanksgiving - One Minute History” details the impact of key historical figures like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and FDR on Thanksgiving traditions. Get a quick overview of modern-day traditions associated with Thanksgiving, such as the Macy's parade and the presidential turkey pardon.

When is Thanksgiving Colonizing America - Crash Course US History

“In When is Thanksgiving Colonizing America - Crash Course US History,” John Green covers the first permanent English colony at Jamestown, Virginia, the various theocracies in Massachusetts, the feudal kingdom in Maryland, and even a bit about the spooky lost colony at Roanoke Island. 

The Pilgrims: The Brutal Truth - Makematic Untold 

“The Pilgrims: The Brutal Truth - Makematic Untold” shares the untold story of the Puritan settlers who sought a new life in the New World. Learn about the motivations of the Puritan settlers who sought a new life in the New World and the challenges faced by the Pilgrims during their first winter in the Plymouth Colony. Create Thanksgiving activities for the classroom by exploring the significance of why some historical events are remembered and celebrated while others remain untold.

Debunking Myths: Columbus, Leif Erikson, and the First Thanksgiving - Wonderscape

“Debunking Myths: Columbus, Leif Erikson, and the First Thanksgiving” explores the true stories behind Christopher Columbus, Leif Erikson, and the first Thanksgiving. Learn why Columbus didn’t actually discover America, how Leif Erikson reached North America 500 years earlier, and the realities of the relationships between pilgrims and Native Americans during the so-called first Thanksgiving. 

Thanksgiving Activities for High School Students: Playing with Food

The Surprising Origin of Thanksgiving Foods

Ever wonder where your favorite Thanksgiving foods come from? Well the truth may be closer to home than you think. “The Surprising Origin of Thanksgiving Foods” shares the origins of traditional Thanksgiving foods and their relationship to native New World species.

Learn about the domestication and breeding practices of turkeys by early American cultures and how selective breeding and genetic modifications have led to the development of modern turkeys. Many Thanksgiving foods, such as potatoes, pumpkins, cranberries, and pecans, have undergone genetic modifications over time to become more suitable for human consumption.

The Dinosaur on Your Thanksgiving Table 

If you’re eating turkey this season, then you’re eating a dinosaur. “The Dinosaur on Your Thanksgiving Table” teaches about synapomorphies, which are traits shared by organisms derived from a common ancestor. Entertain your family and friends with a little science lesson this year, and show them why bird bones tell us that birds are actually living dinosaurs.

Some Thanksgiving activities for students include exploring the anatomical features that connect birds to their dinosaur ancestors, such as the structure of their hands, the presence of a furcula (wishbone), and the absence of a long tail. And, teach students how to recognize the role of fossils, such as wishbones and bone structure, in providing evidence for the evolutionary relationship between birds and dinosaurs.

Why Turkey is Hard to Cook - Minute Food

In “Why Turkey is Hard to Cook,” see for yourself why cooking a turkey is so hard - and how brining can help. If you’re looking for Thanksgiving activities for high school students, this video evaluates the pros and cons of pre-brined meats and makes informed decisions on whether to brine at home.

Thanksgiving Activities for the Classroom: Crafting

How to Make a Paper Bag Turkey - Virtual Club

Looking for a way to express your gratitude this Thanksgiving in a fun and creative way? Check out this craft project from Jessie. In this video tutorial, Jessie shows you how to make a paper bag turkey, complete with paper feathers to display who and what you are thankful for! 

These Paper Bag Turkeys can be used to decorate your home, or you can gift them to family or friends to show your gratitude for them. Be creative and have fun! Materials needed: 

• Brown Paper Bag  
• Construction Paper  
• Tissue Paper 
• Markers 
• Tape 
• Scissors 
• Glue