Plan a Thanksgiving celebration just for kids. Make the kids’ table the best one in the house by celebrating like the Peanuts Gang in the popular movie, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. With Charlie Brown’s help, this holiday will be one the kids won’t forget! Keep them entertained with crafts, games and, of course, Chef Snoopy’s famous Thanksgiving meal. Decorate the kid’s table with a disposable green tablecloth. Add some lines with white tape to recreate the ping pong table where Snoopy serves his guests.
This mom believes that everything from the traditional meal needs to be eaten before participating in Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving. When the kids are done, let them watch the movie. This will give parents an extra half hour to eat in peace. When the movie is over, move on to the activities.
CRAFTS
Charlie Brown Shirts
Purchase solid yellow shirts at the craft store along with black felt sheets. Make a template of the zigzag pattern from Charlie Brown’s famous shirt. Have the kids trace it on the black felt, cut it out and hot glue it (parent’s job) in place. Make one zigzag for each side of the shirt.
Mini Football Pillow
Use brown or NFL printed fabric to a make a tie-closed pillow. Make oval templates with cardstock in two sizes: 22” and 17”. Trace the larger oval template onto the fabric and cut out two ovals of that size. Trace the smaller oval template onto the back of each large oval. Have the kids cut 1” wide strips from the edge of the large oval to the line of the small oval. Then attach the two ovals by tying the strips together (make knots around the edges), leaving a couple open at the end to stuff with filling. When stuffed, tie the remaining strips together. Use white felt and hot glue (parent’s job) to create the football stitches.
The Charlie Brown “Meal”
Jelly beans, popcorn, pretzels and toast. Yep, that’s it!
GAMES
Popcorn Eating Contest
Give every player a small bowl of popcorn and two pretzel rods or sticks. On go, the first person to finish eating his bowl of popcorn, using only the pretzel rods to pick it up, is the winner.
Jelly Bean Separation Anxiety
Place a handful of jelly beans in front of each person. The players have to separate the jelly beans by color into piles or paper cups. The first one to separate all their jelly beans is the winner.
Pin the Football in the Goal
A spin on Pin the Tail on the Donkey, this game is one for all ages. Create a goal post out of paper and stick it to the wall. Cut out miniature footballs for the players to pin. Blindfold the players and see who can get their football in the goal.
Charlie Brown Trivia
This is a good game for older kids who have seen the movie “a million times.” Come up with your own questions by watching the movie ahead of time or use the questions below.
Happy Thanksgiving, Charlie Brown!
Charlie Brown Trivia Questions
1. Who was the first guest Peppermint Patty invited?
2. Who helped Snoopy prepare dinner?
3. Was Sally part of the Thanksgiving meal?
4. What did Snoopy and Woodstock eat when everyone left?
5. What were Snoopy and Woodstock wearing?
6. Who is Sally supposed to write her essay about?
7. What are the only things Charlie Brown can cook?
8. Who says grace at Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving?
9. What time is Charlie Brown supposed to be at his Grandmother’s house?
10. Who got the bigger piece of the wishbone at the end?
Answers: 1. Herself 2. Linus, Charlie Brown and Woodstock 3. No 4. Turkey
5. Pilgrim outfits 6. Myles Standish 7. Cereal and toast 8. Linus 9. 4:30 10. Woodstock
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Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and mother of three. Parties at their house include good food, laughter and, of course, games.
