It’s a beautiful time of year to be outdoors.

Gobble, Gobble, Turkey

Weather permitting, play a Thanksgiving version of Duck, Duck, Goose. Sit everyone in a circle and choose a leader. The leader goes around patting each player on the head and saying “gobble.” The leader will eventually say “turkey” and whoever he pats while saying “turkey” must get up and run around the circle without being tagged by the leader. If the “turkey”is tagged, he is out.

Pumpkin Race

Two people compete to push a pumpkin past a designated finish line. Use yardsticks, broomsticks or your hands to push the pumpkin. Be sure to turn the pumpkin on its side before the race begins.

Thanksgiving Placemats

Go for a walk and collect a wide variety of leaves – as many different colors and shapes as you can find. Cut two pieces of 12” x 18” clear contact paper. Remove the backing from one piece. Stick the leaves randomly onto the sticky side of the contact paper. Once you are satisfied with the design, peel the backing off the second piece of contact paper and cover the leaves with it to seal them in between the contact paper sheets.

Pine Cone Turkey

Go for a walk with family members and collect a basket of pine cones. Use colored paper, picture pages from magazines, or have the kids color patterns on white paper. Cut out feathers from the colored paper. Make slits along the side, just like feathers. Cut out the head in the shape of a turkey, and glue it on the small end of the pine cone. Glue the tail feathers into the spaces on the large end of the pine cone.

Bird, Beast or Fish

Everyone sits facing the leader. The leader points to one of the players and says “bird,” “beast” or “fish.” The chosen player must come up with the name of an animal that fits the category before the leader counts to five. No repeating. If the player doesn’t respond in time, he/she is out. The game continues until only one player remains.