Thanksgiving is a holiday that families love to spend together, and even the youngest members can join in! While newborns may be too young for a traditional Thanksgiving feast, there are plenty of engaging, safe, and sensory activities for them. Here’s a list of Thanksgiving-themed activities designed to help newborns feel included while also fostering bonding and supporting their development.
1. Thanksgiving-Themed Sensory Play
Sensory play helps newborns develop their senses, and a Thanksgiving theme can add a festive touch. Try these safe sensory ideas:
• Fall Fabric Swatches: Use soft fabrics in fall colors (like orange, brown, and yellow) for gentle, textured exploration. Newborns love touching different textures, which can stimulate their sense of touch and help develop fine motor skills.
• Pumpkin Spice Scented Objects: For a sensory experience, lightly scent a piece of cloth with pumpkin spice (away from baby’s reach) so they can safely smell it nearby. This sensory experience introduces them to seasonal scents in a safe, gentle way.
2. Baby’s First Thanksgiving Outfit
Dressing your newborn in Thanksgiving-themed outfits is an easy, photo-ready activity. Look for cozy options like onesies with turkeys or fall-themed designs. Not only do these outfits make for adorable pictures, but they can also become a keepsake that brings back memories as they grow.
• DIY Handprint Turkey Shirt: Use non-toxic paint to capture your baby’s handprint on a plain onesie and turn it into a turkey design. This activity is safe, creative, and produces a cherished keepsake.
3. Family Bonding with Storytime
Reading to your baby has developmental benefits, even from birth. Set aside time during Thanksgiving to read baby-friendly Thanksgiving stories. These books introduce the themes of gratitude, family, and love:
• Thanksgiving Picture Books: Choose books with simple images and short sentences, like “Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks” by Margaret Sutherland, to capture your newborn’s attention.
• Family Story Sharing: Take a moment to gather around and share family stories about past Thanksgivings, even if the baby won’t fully understand. Hearing familiar voices and rhythms in storytelling helps with language development and creates a sense of belonging.
4. Handprint and Footprint Turkey Crafts
Creating handprint or footprint crafts is a classic and adorable way to celebrate Thanksgiving with newborns. You can help your baby “stamp” their tiny hand or foot in non-toxic, washable paint to create a turkey image. This is a fun, creative way to make a memorable keepsake.
• Keepsake Craft: Use a canvas or a piece of construction paper and help your newborn press their hand or foot onto it. Add turkey features like eyes, feathers, and a beak to turn their prints into a turkey.
• Thanksgiving Cards: Create Thanksgiving cards for family members with your baby’s turkey handprint, a sweet and sentimental gift to send to loved ones.
5. Listening to Thanksgiving Songs and Lullabies
Music is a great way to entertain and calm newborns, and there are Thanksgiving-themed lullabies and songs that can create a cozy, festive atmosphere:
• Thanksgiving Lullabies: Songs like “Over the River and Through the Woods” have soft rhythms perfect for lullabies. Singing or playing Thanksgiving songs can engage your baby’s auditory senses, help with language recognition, and create a calming environment.
• Interactive Music Time: Clap gently to the rhythm or bounce along to give your baby a gentle sensory experience while listening.
6. Thanksgiving Family Photoshoot
Capture the memory of your baby’s first Thanksgiving with a family photoshoot. This can be a simple setup at home with cozy blankets, fall decorations, and family outfits:
• Home Photoshoot Setup: Use a cozy blanket and fall-themed decorations like pumpkins or leaf garlands as a backdrop. Incorporate family members, pets, or just capture a photo of your newborn dressed in a Thanksgiving outfit.
• Sibling Photoshoot: If there are siblings, consider arranging a photo that includes them holding or sitting with the baby, which can make for a sweet Thanksgiving memory.
7. Gratitude Jar with Family Notes
Although newborns can’t yet understand the concept of gratitude, you can start a family tradition that includes them. Create a “gratitude jar” where family members write down what they’re thankful for about your newborn or family moments shared since their arrival:
• Family Gratitude Activity: Encourage each family member to write a small note of gratitude related to the newborn and add it to the jar. Read these notes out loud to the family, creating a touching Thanksgiving tradition that grows as your child does.
• Memory Keepsake: Keep these notes as a memento, andconsider reading them in future Thanksgivings when your baby is old enough to understand.
8. Thanksgiving Nature Walk or Baby-Wearing Stroll
If the weather permits, take your newborn on a Thanksgiving walk. Baby-wearing during a fall nature walk allows your little one to enjoy the sights, sounds, and fresh air while staying close to you.
• Engage Their Senses: Describe what you see, such as the colorful leaves or the crisp air, to help your newborn develop sensory awareness.
• Fall Photos: Capture a few photos on your walk for a scenic outdoor background that highlights the fall season.
These Thanksgiving activities for newborns combine family bonding, sensory play, and the holiday spirit, allowing you to celebrate the season in a way that’s developmentally beneficial and enjoyable. Whether you’re reading books, creating crafts, or dressing your baby in festive outfits, these moments help create a meaningful holiday experience and lasting memories.