5 Thanksgiving Facts for Kids
Thanksgiving is one of the most beloved holidays in the United States. It’s a time when families gather around a table filled with delicious food, share what they’re thankful for, and enjoy cherished traditions. But how much do we really know about Thanksgiving? For the curious minds of kids (and adults), we’ve gathered five fun and fascinating facts about Thanksgiving that will make you the star of the dinner table. Whether you’re sharing these during the meal or discussing the history of Thanksgiving in class, these tidbits provide a delightful way to learn about the holiday.
What Is Thanksgiving for Kids?
Before we jump into the facts, let’s explain Thanksgiving in a way kids can understand. Thanksgiving is a holiday initially celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621. They were giving thanks for a successful harvest and the help they received from the Native Americans, especially the Wampanoag tribe. Today, it’s celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday of November to honour gratitude, unity, and a hearty feast!
Now, onto the cool Thanksgiving facts…
1. The First Thanksgiving Lasted 3 Days
Did you know the original Thanksgiving feast wasn’t just a single meal? The first Thanksgiving in 1621 was a grand celebration between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe that lasted three days. There were no quick dinners or next-day leftovers; this feast was an event! Instead of turkey, they likely had venison (deer), seafood like fish and clams, and seasonal vegetables. This long celebration of sharing and gratitude started the tradition we practice today.
A fun activity for kids:
Ask your kids what they’d serve if they were hosting a three-day feast. Pizza, pancakes, or cupcakes might be on the menu!
2. Thanksgiving Wasn’t Always on a Thursday
While Thanksgiving is now firmly celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November every year, this wasn’t always the case. President George Washington declared the first nationwide Thanksgiving in 1789, but it wasn’t made official until President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it a national holiday in 1863. Initially, it was held on varying dates until Congress passed a law in 1941 to set it permanently on the fourth Thursday of November. This fun fact makes Thanksgiving a relatively “young” holiday in its standardized form!
Share this with kids:
Ask them how they feel about Thanksgiving always being on a Thursday. Would they prefer it to be on a weekend?
3. The First TV Dinner Came from Thanksgiving Leftovers
Ever wonder who invented TV dinners? It turns out Thanksgiving played a significant role! Back in 1953, Swanson had 260 tons of leftover turkey after Thanksgiving. To avoid wasting it, they packaged the meat with peas, sweet potatoes, and other sides, creating the first frozen TV dinner. It became a huge success and changed how people ate quick meals forever.
Fun conversation starter:
Ask kids if they think turkey leftovers could inspire the next significant food invention—and what they’d name it!
4. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Began with Zoo Animals
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a well-loved tradition with giant balloons, floats, and performers. But when it first kicked off in 1924, it looked very different. Instead of balloons, Macy’s featured live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo, including elephants and camels! The iconic giant character balloons we recognize today (like Snoopy and Spider-Man) didn’t join the festivities until 1927.
Fun game idea:
Have kids act out a Thanksgiving parade with their favourite stuffed animals or action figures.
5. Americans Eat 46 Million Turkeys on Thanksgiving
Turkey is undoubtedly the star of the Thanksgiving dinner. But did you know that Americans eat 46 million turkeys during Thanksgiving alone? That’s enough turkey to circle the Earth—twice! The tradition of eating turkey on Thanksgiving became popular in the 1800s, even though it wasn’t featured heavily in the first feast in 1621.
Fascinating fact for kids:
Share that Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be America’s national bird instead of the bald eagle. How funny would that be?
Thanksgiving Fun Facts About Food
Thanksgiving is also about the mouthwatering food we enjoy with loved ones. Here are some quick, fun food facts to impress kids and adults alike:
- Cranberry sauce was first canned in 1912, making it one of the earliest convenience foods.
- Pumpkin pie, though a staple today, wasn’t at the first Thanksgiving because Pilgrims had no sugar!
- Sweet potatoes came later, too—Native Americans likely brought squash or pumpkins to the original feast.
- Green bean casserole, another favourite, was invented in 1955 by the Campbell Soup Company.
A Quick History of Thanksgiving for Kids
Here’s a 5-point history summary to help kids understand Thanksgiving’s roots:
- The Pilgrims sailed on the Mayflower and landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620.
- ThPilgrims endured the first harsh winters, but Native Americans, including Squanto, helped them by teaching them how to grow crops.
- After a successful harvest in 1621, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe celebrated together to give thanks.
- Over time, individual colonies and states celebrated Thanksgiving on different dates.
- Abraham Lincoln established it as a national holiday 1863 during the Civil War to encourage unity.
Fun trivia for older kids:
Thanksgiving became a federal holiday thanks to Sarah Josepha Hale, who also wrote the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” She campaigned for over 17 years to make it happen!
A Fun Challenge for Kids
Discovering facts can be exciting and educational. Challenge kids to find out five Thanksgiving facts on their own. They can also research what other countries celebrate similar harvest festivals, like Canada’s Thanksgiving in October or Germany’s Erntedankfest.
