Thanksgiving crafts with kids

Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week? I know I can't!! Thanksgiving happens to be one of my absolute favorite holidays (all that food and not nearly the stress of Christmas) and I'm looking forward to the big feast and spending time with family and friends next week. Every year my daughter and I make simple thanksgiving placemats by sticking some leaves and construction paper cut-out traces of her hands and current photos between two pieces of wax paper and ironing them together. Trust me, it's totally not up to Martha standards but we (I) enjoy it and it's a great momento for seeing how much she has grown each November. We will be making those this week after we do a leaf walk to find some great leaves for using but I started to wonder what else we might craft this Turkey Day and came across these fun ideas from Family Fun magazine.
First Thanksgiving Fun - little pilgrim and native american people your kids can play with
Edible Indian Corn treats - puffed corn cereal lollipops!


Do you have any special Thanksgiving crafts or activities you do with your kiddies each year? We'd love to hear them!


And as a turkey day treat for moms, here are some really unique side dish ideas that have me drooling.

• Jalepeno Corn Pudding, Yellow Squash and Zucchini Casserole and more from City Mama's The Great Thanksgiving Sidedishstravaganza
  
• Chili Glazed Sweet Potatoes and more from Sunset Magazine
  
• Ruth Chris' Sweet Potato Casserole
  

I might have to run to Wawa right now for a gobbler to satisfy my pre-thanksgiving cravings!! YUM!

And, finally as a public service announcement I need to tell you all that Peppermint Joe Joes have arrived at Trader Joe's! Did you get yours yet? Don't walk, RUN, to TJ's right this very moment to get yours before they're all gone! The regular Peppermint Joe Joes are pretty fabulous but the real score here is the Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Joe Joes!! Get 'em before they're all gone (which they were last year when I went to try and get them!)

Thanksgiving crafts with kids