Thanksgiving is a time for food, family, and, of course, being grateful for all that we have. The Thanksgiving feast often involves overindulging on heavy foods and drinks. Planning for some post-meal activities can aid digestion while providing a fun alternative to a nap.
Touch or flag football is a sport the whole family can participate in. Watching the football games on the TV can inspire a game of your own. For little ones who might be too young to understand the game, throw in a round or two of freeze tag so they can participate as well.
A mini pumpkin hunt is a fun game for younger kids. Take several mini pumpkins and hide them around the house and/or yard and let kids find them. Following the hunt, kids can decorate the pumpkins with markers and craft supplies.
Crafts are a fun diversion for kids and a memorable addition to the holiday. Create a pinecone turkey by asking kids to choose large, lovely pinecones from the yard. Trace kids’ hands onto construction paper and cut out the hands in 3-4 different fall colors (red, orange, brown, yellow). Create a head and waddle from construction paper as well, add goggly eyes if wanted. Lay the pinecone on its side. To stop it from rolling, stick a little modeling clay onto the bottom. Glue the handprint feathers to the back of the pinecone and the head on the front.
A scenic walk or hike can bring the peace of nature into your holiday. Plan your path ahead of time so that nothing stands in your way on Thanksgiving day. Waiting until the last minute makes it easy to just hang out on the couch instead.
Turkey trots, 3k, 5k, or 10k walks or runs are common in many communities. Work up an appetite before dinner by participating in one of these events. Often, proceeds go to a good cause.
Wishing you a safe and happy Thanksgiving Day holiday, from all of us here at SportsTyme.