Yeah, you can go online and find all sorts of Thanksgiving printables but, for me, I prefer to make my own. My grand kids love doing word searches, Thanksgiving-theme papers, and similar writing and drawing games. The reason I love to make my own is because I can incorporate their names, and things they love, into the puzzles. It’s extremely easy to make these kinds of games by using your computer and printer.
One of the easiest puzzles you can print out is a scrambled word game. Just write down words related to Thanksgiving, like turkey, dressing, family, and pumpkin, then scramble the letters in each word. Kids must unscramble the words to discover what they are. The complexity of the words can vary, depending on the ages of the kids.
When you create a grid you can make a Thanksgiving search word game. Put in all the words you want – vertical, horizontal, diagonal, backwards – and then fill in the rest of the grid spaces with random letters. Print the puzzle out without the grid.
Write “Thanksgiving” across the top of a page to create a simple but fun puzzle where kids try to see how many words they can make from that one word. You don’t necessarily have to use the word “Thanksgiving”; you can use another word but a long word is best for this game.
When you select online pictures of Thanksgiving-related things, plus pictures of other things, you make a fun game for little kids. Group three things with a Thanksgiving theme, like a pie, a turkey, and a pumpkin, and then one thing that doesn’t belong, like a bottle of shampoo, and have your child mark the one that doesn’t belong. Make several groups on one paper for each child.
Another exciting game for a young child is one where you print out pictures, in a vertical line down the left side of the page, then write the appropriate words down the right hand side of the page. Kids can draw a line from the picture to the correct Thanksgiving word. Just make sure the images aren’t in the same order as the words.
If you use magnetic sheeting for the games kids can do puzzles on the refrigerator, washer, dryer, or other metal surface. The magnetic sheeting is available by the sheet, or by the roll, at most any craft store. Print out the desired words, stick the paper to the magnet, then cut out the individual words. Kids can spell out assorted Thanksgiving words, their names, and more.
Any time is a good time for kids to have fun with games and puzzles. When you make them yourself you can incorporate pictures of your own family, your child’s name, and other relevant things. Your child will have a fabulous Thanksgiving, but, even more so with fun games you print from your computer.