• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Polka Dot Chair logo

  • SEWING
    • Free Sewing Patterns
    • Bag Sewing Patterns
    • Costumes Sewing Tutorials
    • Apparel Sewing Patterns
    • Learn to Sew
    • Beginner Friendly Sewing Projects
    • Hand Embroidery Patterns
    • Tips & Techniques
    • All Sewing
  • QUILTING
    • Quilt Block Patterns
    • Learn to Quilt
    • Free Quilt Patterns
    • Quilt Patterns
    • All Quilting
  • CRAFTS
    • Disney
    • Cricut
    • Printables
    • All Crafts
  • HOLIDAYS
    • Seasonal Projects
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Easter
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • All Holidays
  • TUTORIALS
  • ABOUT
    • About Me
    • My Fabric Collections
    • Published Books
    • Press
    • FAQ’s
    • Contact
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • SHOP
menu icon
go to homepage
  • SHOP
  • TUTORIALS
  • SEWING
  • QUILTING
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • CRAFTS
  • HOLIDAY PROJECTS
  • ABOUT
    • Published Books
    • My Fabric Collections
  • CONTACT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • SHOP
    • TUTORIALS
    • SEWING
    • QUILTING
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CRAFTS
    • HOLIDAY PROJECTS
    • ABOUT
      • Published Books
      • My Fabric Collections
    • CONTACT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Crafts

    Thanksgiving Countdown Calendar Activity Ideas for Families

    Updated: Feb 27, 2021 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 23 Comments

    If you’re looking for ideas to help you celebrate and appreciate Thanksgiving this year, I’ve rounded up a bunch for you. These Thanksgiving countdown calendar activity ideas range from simple to more complex. Just pick the ones that work best for your family.

    The Thanksgiving countdown calendar was one of the first projects I ever shared on this blog. Recently I was going through my old content and realized that both the tutorial and the activities for the countdown calendar could use a refresh. Today I’m excited to share with you the updated and refreshed countdown list.

    A few years ago I made a Thanksgiving countdown calendar. If you’d like to make one for yourself you can find a free pattern to make it here. If you’d like to buy one already made you can find a cute one here.

    After I made the calendar I realized that I needed ideas for activities to fill the pockets on the countdown calendar.

    I’ve come up with 10 different activity ideas for your Thanksgiving countdown. I’d love to hear if you have ideas as well, leave them in the comments below.

    (This post has been updated from a previously published version).

    10+ Gratitude and Thanksgiving Countdown Calendar Activity Ideas:

    Idea One: Make 12 Quilted Shapes:

    I made a Turkey and a Pumpkin with some leftover charm pieces. You will have PLENTY to make 12 things to fit in all the pockets if you want!  

    It would be easy to think of 12 little “things” to make for your pockets.. you could make, leaves, pumpkins, pilgrim hats, turkeys,  boats. The list goes on- look for online coloring pages for shapes to use.

    Link to the Turkey Applique Pattern can be found here

    Idea Two: Fill the pockets with 12 facts about Thanksgiving

    Just go to Wikipedia, you’ll find out more than you ever thought you’d want to know about Thanksgiving!

    Idea Three: A “Quote a Day” about Gratitude

    12 Gratitude Quotes:

    1. God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.  Have you used one to say “thank you?”  ~William A. War

    2. The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts.  No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.  ~H.U. Westermayer

    3. Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.  ~G.B. Stern

    4. There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed.  If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude.  ~Robert Braul

    5. For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
     
    6. If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.  ~Frank A. Clark
     
    7. He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.  ~Epictetus
     
    8. Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.  ~W.T. Purkiser
     
    9. Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: it must be produced and discharged and used up in order to exist at all.  ~William Faulkner

    10. As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

    11. We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.  ~Cynthia Ozick
     
    12. Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don’t unravel.  ~Author Unknown

    Idea Four: A Thanksgiving Craft A Day: 

    Your kids will love pulling it out of the pocket to see what they get to do that day! You could use a combo of “pre-made” bought crafts (like fun foam stuff) and some homemade ones. Here are some links to some fun ones to try.

    12 Thanksgiving Crafts to Do with your Kids:

    Make  a Turkey Votive Holder

    Turkey Centerpiece made from a Pumpkin and Fruit Kabobs

    Make place cards for Thanksgiving Dinner.

    Color a Picture to hang on our wall- you can find Free Thanksgiving coloring pages to print here.

    Make “crackers” to have at Thanksgiving Dinner.

    Don’t be fooled!  Turn an Oreo into a Turkey!

    Make Bingo cards to keep our guests entertained on Thanksgiving day.

    Turn a pine cone into a Turkey! 

    Go on a nature hike and gather fall leaves!

    Read a story about Thanksgiving 

    Build your own Mayflower!

    Idea Five: 12 silly “jokes” about Thanksgiving

    Fill your Thanksgiving countdown calendar with a joke a day! Just hit “print friendly” at the bottom of this post and print out the jokes. Cut them into strips and tuck them into the pockets of your countdown calendar.

    Q: Why did the farmer run a steamroller over his potato field on Thanksgiving Day? A: He wanted to raise mashed potatoes.

    Q: Why did the turkey cross the road? A: It was Thanksgiving Day, and he wanted people to think he was a chicken!

    Q: What is a turkey’s favorite dessert? A: Peach gobbler!

    A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store for Thanksgiving Day, but couldn’t find one big enough for her family. She asked a stock boy, “Do these turkeys get any bigger?” “No, ma’am. They’re dead.”

    Q: What did the turkey say to the computer? A:  “Google, google, google.”

    Q: What kind of music did the Pilgrims listen to at the first Thanksgiving feast A: Plymouth Rock!

    Q: What do you call a turkey on the day after Thanksgiving? A: Lucky.

    Q: Can a turkey jump higher than the Empire State Building? A: Yes, of course! A building can’t jump at all.

    Q: What’s the best song to sing when preparing your turkey? A: “All About That Baste.”

    My family told me to stop telling Thanksgiving jokes …… but I told them I couldn’t quit “cold turkey.”

    Q: Knock Knock. A: Who’s there? Norma Lee. Q: Norma Lee who? Norma Lee I don’t eat this much!

    Q: Who is not hungry at Thanksgiving? A: The turkey because he’s already stuffed!

    Idea Six: A gratitude “project” a day for your family

    1- Today write a letter letting your teachers know how much you appreciate them.

    2- Don’t take things for granted, find something today that you can give to someone who needs it more than you.

    3-Today, find a way to serve your neighbor.

    4-Do something nice, and totally unexpected for another member of your family

    5-Write a sincere letter to someone who has had a profound influence on your life.

    6- Say “thank you” at least 10 times today.

    7- Write 5 Thank You notes today, and MAIL THEM (email does NOT count!)

    8- Bake a special treat for someone in your life who you truly appreciate.

    9- For one week, in your prayers, only thank God for the blessings in your life, don’t ask for anything.

    10- Give someone a HUG!

    11- Do a chore today without being asked.

    12- Call your parents and tell them how grateful you are for everything they have ever done for you.

    Idea Seven: Try a new Autumn Recipe each day

    This would be a fun one to do if you do not have small children at home. For recipe suggestions try these popular recipes at Lil Luna.

    Idea Eight: Conversation Starters for Thanksgiving Dinner

    You can download for free, this printable with over 48 Dinner conversation starters at Living Locurto.

    Idea Nine: A RAK each day

    Decide each day on one Random Act of Kindness to complete. Put the RAK’s on small pieces of paper and slip them into the pockets. On that day pull out the paper and complete the act of kindness.

    Ideas for Random Act’s of Kindness

    1. Pay for the food of the person behind you in the drive-through line.
    2. Take in your neighbor’s garbage cans.
    3. Put away your sibling’s shoes/laundry/bags.
    4. Deliver comfort kits to those in need in your community.
    5. Let someone cut ahead of you in line at the store.
    6. Pick up litter.
    7. Give a stranger a compliment
    8. Leave a stack of quarters at the laundromat.
    9. Double your normal tip at a restaurant.
    10. Drop off cookies to a neighbor.
    11. Bring treats in to work to share with your coworkers.
    12. Smile at everyone you meet that day.

    Idea Ten: Candy

    If all else fails and you run out of time, just fill it with candy! Hey, we’re all human right? We can only do so much.

    More Projects You May Enjoy

    • How to Make a Vintage Folded Fabric Star Ornament
    • close up of round fabric ornament with trim and ribbon attached
      How to Make a Retro Fabric Christmas Ornament with a Photo
    • two brightly colored pillows with jockey silk applique on gray chair
      DIY Derby Jockey Silks Pillows
    • multiple blown egg ornaments with painted hedgehogs on white wood table
      DIY Blown Egg Ornaments

    • Share
    • Email

    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mique (as in Mickey) says

      September 30, 2009 at 10:26 am

      Fabulous as always!! I LOVE this. I’ll be doing it asap.
      And hope you don’t mind if I link to this post!?

      Reply
    2. B3Boutique says

      September 30, 2009 at 10:28 am

      Oh, this is ingenious!!! I absolutely love the calendar and all of your ideas. The turkey is too stinkin’ cute. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this. Now I have to make one. Oooo, just think…a Halloween one or even a birthday one. LOL!

      Reply
    3. cozy at home says

      September 30, 2009 at 10:42 am

      Wonderful!

      Reply
    4. Lori says

      September 30, 2009 at 10:51 am

      This looks awesome Melissa! You are so creative!

      Reply
    5. Molly says

      September 30, 2009 at 10:55 am

      Hi there, I’ve loved all your ideas for the Moda Bake Shop, not to mention on your blog! 🙂 Thanks! 🙂
      ~Molly

      Reply
    6. candi lyn says

      September 30, 2009 at 12:30 pm

      question for you, which is totally random, but do you mind sharing what paint you used in your craft room and your daughters bedroom?
      thanks a bunch!

      Reply
    7. JG says

      September 30, 2009 at 12:35 pm

      That is a cute calendar!

      Reply
    8. Brittany says

      September 30, 2009 at 12:57 pm

      LOVE this idea! Thanks for sharing. I’m linking this post to my blog so I can have all of your great ideas for what to do each day. Thanks.

      Reply
    9. mary says

      September 30, 2009 at 2:59 pm

      Ok I just love these ideas, especially the gratitude ones as well as the crafts, what is Thansgiving, what thankful for. I guess i just love them all. I would love for yopu to post your pattern for the pumpkin and turkey. THANK YOU for all you do

      Reply
    10. traci says

      September 30, 2009 at 11:26 pm

      This is awesome and much better than trying to fill all 30 days! I love the colors and your little quilited turkey. So cute and all your ideas should be enough to fill that calendar up with something different each year just based on what stage your children are in. I just love it.

      Reply
    11. Laurel @ Ducks in a Row says

      October 01, 2009 at 12:03 am

      I just started cutting out squares for mine today – perfect timing. Thanks for all the ideas.

      Reply
    12. Jen says

      October 01, 2009 at 2:43 pm

      Great idea for this. I love all the ideas…now to get sewing. Would love the pattern for the turkey. 🙂

      Reply
    13. Kim says

      October 02, 2009 at 8:56 pm

      Love it! Love it! Love it! Very creative!

      Reply
    14. Cheryl says

      October 04, 2009 at 4:18 pm

      I love it! You are so talented to be able to make this up. The colors, turkey, and ways to use the pockets are perfect.

      I love all your ideas and projects. You really are so talented (and a hard worker too, because talent often takes years of practice!)

      Wishing I could have gone to St. James with you. I LOVE that place and I was one of the crazy ones last year and brought the girls (in a stroller). Thank heavens they were so good!

      Miss you!

      Reply
    15. Not quite there yet... says

      November 06, 2009 at 10:02 am

      What a great idea! I’d love to make this!

      Reply
    16. Krissy @ B.Inspired, Mama! says

      November 09, 2009 at 1:48 pm

      Beautiful work! Love the “craft a day” idea for inside. I’m so inspired, I’m heading to the fabric store right NOW!

      I hope you don’t mind that I shared your great idea with my readers:

      http://binspiredmama.blogspot.com/2009/11/thanksgiving-advent-calendar-tutorial.html

      Happy Holidays!

      Reply
    17. AMY says

      November 16, 2009 at 1:17 am

      Very, very cute! I’d love the pattern for the turkey- I want to know how you made the fabric seem so thick. Thanks!

      Reply
    18. Suzanne says

      September 05, 2011 at 7:48 am

      This is a fantastic post. I don’t think I have ever seen a thanksgiving advent calendar. The number of ideas you have listed and the gratitude quotes are just wonderful. Thank you!

      Reply
    19. Joni says

      November 19, 2012 at 9:24 pm

      Hello! I’ve been reading your web site for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Houston Texas! Just wanted to mention keep up the good work!

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        November 21, 2012 at 1:34 pm

        Hello!!!
        I’m so glad you “delurked” and said Hello! I always wonder who’s out there 🙂

        Reply
    20. slots online says

      January 14, 2015 at 6:24 am

      Hello webmaster, do you allow guest posting ?? Please let me
      know, i’m interested 🙂

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hello! It’s nice to meet you.

    I’m Melissa. I like to design things, like fabric, printables, and projects.

    I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am like most of you, just trying to do my best every day. Some days I succeed, many days I fail.  I find joy in creating, if you do too, then I hope that you find something here bring a little “happy” to your life.  Find out more about me here.

    COPYRIGHT POLICY

    All my images and text are copyrighted. You may NOT use any images from this site in any kind of Video (this includes YouTube). If you would like to feature my work, you may use ONE (1) NON-COLLAGED image and must “follow” link back to my original blog post. You may NOT edit, crop, or change my images in any way without written permission. You MAY NOT print out or copy and distribute any text, images or patterns from this site. All patterns, content, instructions, and templates are for personal use ONLY! Thank you! Violators will be reported.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimers
    • About Melissa
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Press
    • Published Books
    • Fabric Collections

    Welcome to the Polka Dot Chair! Here you’ll find easy, step-by-step, sewing, quilting, and crafting projects. We design projects for Makers of all skill levels. Beginners are welcome!

    DISCLAIMER:

    While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content on this website, the information is made available without warranty of any kind. The Polka Dot Chair accepts no responsibility or liability, whether direct or indirect, as to the currency or accuracy of the information, nor any consequence of its uses. This website is not intended to substitute the advice of a professional.

    Copyright © 2022 Polka Dot Chair

    [ Placeholder content for popup link ] WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin