3 Fun + Easy Ideas For The 12 Days Of Thanksgiving Story Time

Thanksgiving always feels like the official start of the holiday season. The weeks before are a rush of cleaning, baking, and preparing for a family feast. During that crazy time, I love having some easy, low prep ideas to pull out for #thebigone. These 3 fun ideas for The 12 Days of Thanksgiving story time are a perfect choice. Read on to see how to use the same activities with your kiddos.

Disclosure: This post is not sponsored in any way.

THE 12 DAYS OF THANKSGIVING STORY TIME

reading The 12 Days of Thanksgiving

Jenna Lettice authored The 12 Days of Thanksgiving. Colleen Madden created the bright, cheerful illustrations. My kiddos love the books in this series since they mimic the classic Christmas carol ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’. They love the lyrical, repetitive text, which helps very early readers gain confidence. The basic number skills presented throughout are a great way to reinforce basic counting skills in a low key way. I personally love seeing such diversity represented within family in this book- cousins of all races, uncles busy baking in the kitchen. It gives a fresh look at a modern Thanksgiving week which is great for kids to see.

THE 12 DAYS OF THANKSGIVING STORY TIME IDEAS

Printable Seek And Find

Inspired by all the Thanksgiving icons listed in the book, I created a simple seek and find printable that kids can work on to combine art, basic math, and some early reading skills. (Color name sight words, anyone?!)

Supplies:

• Printable seek and find page and icon list.
• Colored pencils, crayons, or markers.

Instructions:

1. Provide each child with the papers and coloring utensils.
2. Kids can go through the list, finding and coloring each holiday icon according to the directions.

>>> Grab your seek and find printable here! <<<

Paper Chain Countdown

Let your kids countdown to the big day with simple paper chains!

Supplies: 

• 12 strips of colored paper.
  • You can cut these yourself, allow your kids to work on scissor skills, or take the lazy route I did and use pre-cut scrapbook strips!
• Glue, tape, or stapler.

Instructions: 

1. Assemble 12 strips of colored paper.
2. Create a loop with one strip, and secure with glue, tape, or stapler.
3. Add additional loops in the same manner to create a paper chain.
4. Starting 12 days before Thanksgiving, kids can tear off one loop each day, providing a visual countdown to the holiday!

Thanksgiving Counting To 12

Super quick set up using materials you likely already have on hand, make this a perfect choice for some Thanksgiving math fun!

Supplies: 

• Printable Thanksgiving number page.
• 12 cup muffin pan.
• Scissors.
• ‘Thanksgiving’ manipulatives- erasers, small figures, etc. often work well. I chose to use assorted dried beans, since they have a very ‘harvest’ feel to me, and are cheap and easy to find.
• Optional: small tongs or a spoon for additional find motor practice.

Instructions:

1. Assemble all materials.
2. Cut out each number circle.
3. Place one circle in each cup of the muffin pan.
4. Encourage kids to count out the appropriate number of manipulatives for each cup of the muffin pan.
5. Introducing a spoon or small tongs to transfer manipulatives to the pan can add an extra fine motor challenge for kids who need that practice.

>>> Click here for your Thanksgiving number page! <<<

This story, with the uncles baking, has pie on my mind, so I want to know… What’s YOUR favorite pie to follow the Thanksgiving feast?! Drop your answer in the comments below.