Hosting Thanksgiving (or any holiday, for that matter) with little ones in the house is a tricky task. Shopping, cooking, and cleaning are all made just a bit more difficult when you've got kids clamoring for your attention at the same time. Instead of trying to keep them out of your way while you prep for guests, put them to work!
Here are nine ways to enlist the help of your kiddos in preparing for Thanksgiving company — both in and out of the kitchen.
Enlist little crafters to create fun place settings or a centerpiece for the table. Even a formal dining room table can use a little handmade charm!
Put little hands to work at the kitchen sink — tots can help rinse off fruit and veggies (cranberries are especially fun) before you start cooking and baking.
If you have soup or gravy simmering over the stove — and a kiddo who's old enough to safely navigate the kitchen — put them to work stirring.
Little ones love getting into flour and sugar! If you can handle a little extra cleanup, let them roll out your pie crust or cookie dough — it doesn't matter if it's not perfect.
If green beans are playing a supporting role in your Thanksgiving feast, ask your little ones to help with the tedious task of snapping off their ends.
While you probably don't want them running around with stacks of your wedding china, bigger kids can be super helpful when it comes to setting the table. Give them exact instructions and a handful of flatware or a stack of cloth napkins to fold. Or, have them set the kid table with nonbreakable items so that they can go to town without worrying about breaking anything!
If cookies are coming out at dessert time, enlist the creative skills of your little ones to help in arranging them on a platter.
If cocktail hour has begun and mama needs some alone time in the kitchen, charge the kiddos with entertaining your guests. We love these printable cards — they provide a great Thanksgiving conversation starter. Have your little ones pass around pens and instruct your guests to share a sentiment.