Fun Thanksgiving Projects for Kids

This Thanksgiving, set the kids up with one of these fun projects. Little kids can roll cheese balls and cut out shapes with cookie cutters, and older kids can do more-complicated projects like creating a turkey-shaped veggie platter.

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Hand cookie place cards decorated with sprinkles and candy, by Kids for Thanksgiving.

Turkey hand cookie place cards for Thanksgiving

Hand cookie place cards decorated with sprinkles and candy, by Kids for Thanksgiving.

Photo by: Jackie Alpers ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Jackie Alpers, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Chores like peeling potatoes can make kids start to feel like they are on KP duty, and though that may be fun for a while, it can quickly turn to drudgery. This Thanksgiving, let everyone share chores so they go by faster, then set your kids up with one of these fun projects. Even little kids can roll cheese balls and cut out shapes with cookie cutters, and older kids can do more-complicated projects like creating a turkey-shaped veggie platter. These projects are win/win/win! They teach kids how to use creative thinking in the kitchen, they take some of the work off parents’ hands, and they keep kids occupied. Plus, the results look and taste good enough to meet the standards of your most-persnickety guests.

Guests may want to “gobble up” (sorry) these personalized hand-shaped turkey place cards inspired by the classic kid’s drawings, and Ree Drummond’s Hand Cookie recipe, as soon as they sit down to the table.

A cute turkey shaped crudite platter for thanksgiving that even kids can make.

Turkey shaped appetizer veggie platter for Thanksgiving

A cute turkey shaped crudite platter for thanksgiving that even kids can make.

Photo by: Jackie Alpers ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Jackie Alpers, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

This turkey-shaped crudite platter looks impressive and is incredibly easy to put together. Bigger kids can help younger kids put everything in the right place. It’s a veggie puzzle game!

Kids can make these fun, easy appetizers that look fancy, for Thanksgiving.

Savory and sweet mini cheese balls

Kids can make these fun, easy appetizers that look fancy, for Thanksgiving.

Photo by: Jackie Alpers ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Jackie Alpers, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Mini cheese balls are fun because everyone can brainstorm together for topping combinations, and they are small enough that you can taste test them in advance to decide which ones to serve to your guests.

Spicy leaf chips in autumn colors served with cheese for Thanksgiving appetizer

Leaf chips final image, served with cheese

Spicy leaf chips in autumn colors served with cheese for Thanksgiving appetizer

Photo by: Jackie Alpers ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Jackie Alpers, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

The colors in each of these leaf chips are unique, just like autumn leaves. Whole-grain chips are “painted” with herbs and spices so each one looks and tastes different depending on the combination of spices used. Top with leaf-shaped cheese slices for a pretty fall-themed appetizer.

Check out the full gallery for easy, step-by-step instructions for each of these kid-friendly edible projects.

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