How to Keep Your Kids Active on Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving is a fun time for the whole family, but all too often it means sitting in front of the TV and eating high-calorie foods.

11:01 06 December 2021

While spending the day relaxing on your sofa and enjoying delicious meals can be very enjoyable, your kids may benefit from a more action-packed holiday.

Children generally get too little physical activity. Thanksgiving Day could be the perfect time to introduce them to some new activities that couple fun and exercise. The team of Uptown Jungle in Avondale has a few great suggestions for doting parents looking for ways to make the day extra fun for their little ones. They can be done with children of different ages and you will have a great time, too!

 

 

1. Go on a hike

Enjoy a day out in nature by packing up and taking a hike. It’s a perfect time to catch up with your family while keeping fit. If that’s a little too much for you, even a walk around the neighborhood can do you good and help you burn off some of those calories.

2. Take part in a turkey trot race

You can probably find turkey trots for kids in your area. You can sign up as a family so each of you can take part in your own age division. They’ll feel an amazing sense of accomplishment when they finish the race and you’ll get a chance to move a little as well.

3. Visit a trampoline park

Another way to get out of the house is to visit a fun indoor playground and let your kids jump on trampolines all day. They’ll be supervised and the play equipmed will be safe and age-appropriate for them.

4. Go on a turkey egg hunt

Who says egg hunts can only be done at Easter? They’re super exciting for kids and you can organize one right at home. You can make them yourself by putting little treats, funny jokes, and small toys in plastic eggs. Scatter them around the house and let your kids look for them.

5. Play flag football

If your little ones haven’t had a chance to play before, this year it may be time to teach them. They’ll get plenty of aerobic exercise this way.

6. Organize a talent show

This is many kids’ favorite, especially if they like performing. Let them prepare their dancing numbers and sing songs they like. They can also make costumes from things they can find around the house.

7. Play cornhole

This game is traditionally played in fall, so why not give it a go? It will help you kids practice precision and coordination.

8. Go on an active trip

Take a short trip, make short stops to stretch and walk a little, and don’t forget to pack up some supplies for your day out. For example, you can bring a ball, jump rope, Frisbee, and other toys for your children to play with.

9. Play Stuff the Turkey

For this game, you’ll need to cut out a simple paper bag in the shape of a turkey and use two pieces of paper to form the turkey’s “legs”. Then your children can make balls out of bunched up paper and try to throw them inside. It’s super easy to make and can keep kids occupied for hours.

10. Turkey bowling

This game combines crafts and physical activity, and your kids are guaranteed to love it! First, they need to make turkey pins by decorating plastic cups. They should draw or stick turkey faces on them and make their wings and tails out of cardboard. Then they can roll a small rubber ball to knock down as many turkey pins as they can.