One of the best ways to make Thanksgiving truly meaningful is by involving kids in the preparation process. Not only does it take some of the weight off your shoulders, but it also teaches children valuable skills like responsibility, teamwork, and even a little patience. Here’s how to put them to work:
Fun Tasks for Little Helpers
Younger kids might not have the dexterity or patience to handle complex tasks, but they can still play an important part. Celebrate their efforts (even if they aren’t exactly perfect) and let them know they’re part of the team.
- Setting napkins and cutlery. Give them the job of placing napkins and silverware at each spot on the table. They’ll feel like they’re contributing to the feast’s fancy vibe.
- Washing vegetables. Hand over a colander and let them rinse those veggies under the faucet—it’s messy, but it’s a blast.
- Decorating place cards or table settings. Break out the crayons and stickers and let them go wild creating festive name cards or adding a personal touch to the centerpiece.
- Sorting ingredients. Task them with grouping all the dry ingredients, spices, or veggies together. It’s like a little scavenger hunt.
- Measuring ingredients. Show them how to scoop and level flour, sugar, or other dry goods. It’s also a great way to sneak in a math lesson without them realizing it.
- Arranging centerpieces. Let them design a masterpiece with fall leaves, mini pumpkins, or whatever festive decorations you have.
- Making simple recipes. Think no-bake desserts or mixing a basic dip. Just make sure it’s something they can handle with minimal mess.
- Filling bowls with snacks. Kids can easily help portion out pretzels, nuts, or other appetizers.
Fun Ideas for Pre-teens to Pitch In
Pre-teens are at the perfect age to tackle slightly more challenging tasks. They’re old enough to handle a knife with care (under supervision) and love taking on responsibilities that make them feel grown-up. Make sure to give lots of positive feedback. They’ll remember the encouragement long after the turkey’s gone.
- Chopping vegetables. Start with softer veggies like zucchini or mushrooms and make sure they’re using a child-safe knife or learning proper knife skills.
- Preparing simple dishes. Assign them a beginner-friendly recipe like mashed potatoes or stuffing. They’ll beam with pride when they see their dish on the table.
- Helping with baking. From mixing cookie dough to rolling out pie crusts, baking is a magical process for kids this age.
- Creating a drink station. Let them set up a self-serve area for drinks, complete with non-alcoholic punch, soda, or sparkling cider. They’ll love the creative freedom of making it look festive.
How Teens Can Step Up in the Kitchen
Thanksgiving prep is the perfect time to teach teens leadership skills and time management while also giving them a chance to shine in the kitchen. They might roll their eyes at first, but deep down, they’ll appreciate being trusted with these more grown-up responsibilities.
Preparing full dishes with minimal supervision. By now, your teen probably has a go-to dish they’re confident making —let them. You can also assign them a side dish or dessert and let them take the reins (with a quick check-in from you, of course).
Helping with timing and coordination: Teach them how to read a recipe, time multiple dishes, and keep track of oven schedules. They’ll quickly learn the delicate art of multi-tasking.
Overseeing younger siblings: Put them in charge of helping the younger kids with their tasks. It gives them a sense of responsibility while also keeping the chaos level to a minimum.
You May Need a Bigger Kitchen
With all those willing hands you might need a bigger kitchen. Why not get it and a beautiful new home at the same time? Sunterra builders craft beautiful, functional kitchens able to take on the most Herculean of holiday tasks. Visit Sunterra today.
