Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

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Looking for a kid friendly thanksgiving recipe? It can be tricky to get kids excited about some traditional Thanksgiving dishes or other meals during the holiday season.

But from savory main dishes to sweet desserts, there are many kid-friendly Thanksgiving recipes out there to help make your holiday meal a success. To get you started, here are some of our favorite kid-friendly Thanksgiving day recipes that will be sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.

Kid Friendly Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas

1. Sweet Potato Casserole or Candied Yams

These comforting casseroles are a classic Thanksgiving must-have at the dinner table. Top with toasted marshmallows or a buttery crumble topping and the kids will love it. This is one of those favorite Thanksgiving recipes that everyone is familiar with, it’s great for other special occasions too.

2. Turkey Sliders

Transform roasted turkey into a kid-friendly meal by serving it in slider form. Topped with melted cheese and sliced pickles, it’s the perfect way to get get the pickiest eaters to eat Thanksiving turkey.

3. Roasted Veggies

Kids will love getting their hands on this tasty veggie dish. Roast favorites like carrots, green beans, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and sweet potatoes to complete a delicious and healthy Thanksgiving meal.

4. Sweet Potato Fries

Looking for easy recipes with simple ingredients to make for your kids with the rest of your Thanksgiving feast? Kids love fries, so why not switch things up and make sweet potato fries? Serve them with honey mustard or ketchup for an extra special treat.

5. Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Kids are sure to love homemade creamy mashed potatoes. Serve them with lumps of butter on top or some delicious turkey gravy and let the kids dig into them. It’s a sure way to get your kids to eat some of your Thanksgiving food.

6. Corn Pudding

Whether made with fresh corn, canned, or frozen, this tasty side dish should be on your Thanksgiving menu. Not only is it well-loved by adults, but it will alsobe a hit with the kids.

7. Mini Pumpkin Pies

Make one of the Thanksgiving classics more fun by making it miniature. Let the kids decorate mini pumpkin pies for a fun and delicious Thanksgiving treat.

8. Apple Hand Pies

Great at the Thanksgiving table, in lunch boxes, and after-school snacks, these oven-baked hand pies burst with sweet apple flavor.

9. Caramel Apple Pie Dip

Dip slices of apples in a yummy caramel dip. The kids will love this special treat! This will be a family favorite, and as an added bonus, it can make a good and really simple dessert.

10. Green Bean Casserole

This classic Thanksgiving dinner staple is sure to be a hit with the kids. Mix canned beans, a savory cream sauce, and tasty fried onions for a delicious side dish.

11. Cranberry Muffins

This time of year calls for classics like cranberry sauce, which might not be a hit for kids. Let the kids help you bake these fluffy and flavorful muffins. They’re sure to be a hit! The best part is, they can eat the leftovers for breakfast the next day. These cranberry crumb bars are another kid-friendly option.

12. Pumpkin Roll

Pumpkin desserts are a must for your Thanksgiving desserts spread, and they’re always easy to please the kids with. Once made, your little helpers can lend a hand with decorating the creamy pumpkin roll. Add a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkled nuts, and they’ll love it.

13. Macaroni and Cheese

If your kids aren’t a fan of any of the seasonal flavors, you can always call on this comforting classic that never fails to please kids of all ages. Creamy cheddar cheese or a mix of different cheeses gives it even more flavor for those picky eaters. Bake the mac and cheese for a golden brown top that will be irresistible to both kids and adults.

14. Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar

If you want to try serving your kids something a little different, this is a safe option. Not only is this recipe delicious and kid-friendly, but it’s also a great way to introduce kids to different vegetables.

15. Cornbread or Corn Muffins

Not just for Thanksgiving, cornbreads are a great idea for a tea party any day of the year. If you want an easy recipe that kids will love, this is a great option.Want a more savory version for the grownups? Try this bacon jalapeño cheddar cornbread recipe.

16. Bisquick Sausage Cheddar Balls

These were my personal favorite every Thanksgiving as a kid. These bite sized grab and go appetizers are great for kids on the run as the grownups gather in the kitchen! Each bite is the perfect mix of savory sausage and sharp cheddar cheese.

Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to make Thanksgiving special kids? ›

Here are eight easy activities to get kids in the Thanksgiving spirit and keep them busy and engaged on the big day.
  1. Gratitude Box. ...
  2. Leaf Rubbing Garlands. ...
  3. Thanksgiving Sensory Bins. ...
  4. Fine Motor Turkey Feathers. ...
  5. Pretend Thanksgiving Cooking. ...
  6. Real Thanksgiving Cooking. ...
  7. DIY Turkey Placemats.

How do you simplify Thanksgiving dinner? ›

These tips, tricks and timesavers can be a Thanksgiving host's saving grace.
  1. Pick the menu early. Don't leave menu planning and shopping to the last minute. ...
  2. Brine your bird. ...
  3. Start prep work a few days before Thanksgiving. ...
  4. Serve batched co*cktails. ...
  5. Create simple centerpieces.
Nov 1, 2023

How do I get my kids to eat Thanksgiving? ›

Make it look, smell & taste delicious.

Many times kids think that they won't like a food before they actually try it. Try making a Thanksgiving dish look, smell and taste as delicious as you can. This will up the odds that your child will try it out, like it, and come back for more.

What is Thanksgiving simple for kids? ›

Thanksgiving is a yearly holiday marked by feasts and family gatherings. The day is celebrated in the United States, Canada, and other countries. It takes place on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States.

What are some Thanksgiving questions for kids? ›

Questions to Ask Kids at the Thanksgiving Table
  • If you could do something to cheer up a group of kids less fortunate than you, what would you do? ...
  • Can you think of two things you own that you would be willing to give to a child your age who is not going to get any gifts this holiday?

What is a basic Thanksgiving dinner menu? ›

Traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing (or “dressing”), and some kind of pie for dessert, typically pumpkin, apple, or pecan. Common sides are green bean casserole, scalloped corn, and roasted sweet potatoes.

What is the most popular side dish for Thanksgiving? ›

Mashed potatoes are a traditional Thanksgiving side dish for a reason, and we definitely look forward to serving up this delicious dish every November.

Should there be a kids table at Thanksgiving? ›

The kids' table brings cousins closer and turns friends into cousins. Some of these kids only see each other a few times a year. Their table is where they get to know each other, laugh at jokes that would be shushed at the “big table,” and probably use less-than-stellar table manners.

How do you tell kids the truth about Thanksgiving? ›

Teaching kids the truth about Thanksgiving can be easy by centering the conversation around Indigenous voices and showing kids there's a lot to be grateful for.

Why is a turkey eaten at Thanksgiving for kids? ›

For another, they're not usually raised for their eggs, like chickens are. In the old days, that meant that turkeys were more … expendable, which in turn made turkey meat relatively cheap. The fact that wild turkeys are native to North America made them a natural choice to be served at early Thanksgiving celebrations.

What is a good Thanksgiving menu? ›

IF you mean a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner: roast turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, string beans, rolls, cranberry sauce; mushroom dish, maybe a salad or 2, maybe wild rice; pumpkin pie and/or apple pie.

What are the top 10 Thanksgiving foods? ›

Top 10 Thanksgiving Dishes
  1. Turkey.
  2. Stuffing/Dressing.
  3. Pumpkin Pie.
  4. Sweet Potato Casserole.
  5. Mashed Potatoes.
  6. Ham.
  7. Green Bean Casserole.
  8. Cranberry Jelly.
Nov 22, 2023

How can I make Thanksgiving more special? ›

In keeping with the true meaning of the holiday, you could also try a tradition that incorporates the idea of gratitude: Write thank-you notes to loved ones near and far, start a gratitude jar, or give back to your community by volunteering at a soup kitchen.

How do you make Thanksgiving unique? ›

Different Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving
  1. Have a Mini-giving. This one is inspired by my daughter's love of ASMR and mini cooking videos. ...
  2. Go themed. ...
  3. Declare a spending embargo. ...
  4. Throw a co*cktail party. ...
  5. Make it a potluck. ...
  6. Go out to a really fancy meal. ...
  7. Spend the day hunting your food. ...
  8. Be intentional with your photos.
Nov 20, 2020

How can I make Thanksgiving more interesting? ›

Crisp fall days are perfect for outdoor fun, so find a way to incorporate a Thanksgiving theme into your pins or bowling ball.
  1. Run in a Turkey Trot. ...
  2. Hunt for Pumpkins. ...
  3. Give Thanks at the Table. ...
  4. Create a Tree of Thanks. ...
  5. Volunteer with Family. ...
  6. Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe. ...
  7. Pie Baking Contest. ...
  8. Thanksgiving Family Feud.
Oct 6, 2023

How to make Thanksgiving at home special? ›

11 Ideas to Make Thanksgiving 2022 Extra Special in Your Home
  1. Invest in a Warming Tray. ...
  2. Watch for Black Friday Deals Before Thanksgiving. ...
  3. Invest in Artificial Plants for Your Porch. ...
  4. Give Centerpieces a New Home. ...
  5. Install a New Backsplash. ...
  6. Purchase an Electric Gravy Boat. ...
  7. Organize a Mini Pumpkin Hunt.

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