Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and fun! If you're looking for entertaining and educational ways to keep your kids engaged during the holiday season, PBS Kids offers a fantastic selection of Thanksgiving games that combine learning with festive fun.
In this article, we’ll explore the best Thanksgiving games on PBS Kids, their educational benefits, and how they can make the holiday more enjoyable for children. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver, these games are perfect for keeping young minds active while celebrating the spirit of Thanksgiving.
Why Choose PBS Kids for Thanksgiving Games?
PBS Kids is a trusted educational platform that provides high-quality, age-appropriate content for children. Their Thanksgiving-themed games help kids develop essential skills such as:
Problem-solving
Creativity
Math and reading skills
Social-emotional learning
Since PBS Kids focuses on learning through play, their holiday games are both fun and enriching.
Best Thanksgiving Games on PBS Kids
Here are some of the top Thanksgiving games on PBS Kids that your kids will love:
1. "The Great Thanksgiving Listen" (Arthur)
Educational Focus: Storytelling, History, Gratitude
In this interactive game, kids join Arthur and his friends as they share what they’re thankful for. The game encourages children to reflect on gratitude while improving their listening and storytelling skills.
2. "Molly of Denali: Beading Art"
Educational Focus: Cultural Awareness, Creativity
This game introduces kids to Native American traditions through beading art. Children can create their own virtual beadwork while learning about Indigenous cultures—a great way to incorporate Thanksgiving history in a respectful and engaging way.
3. "Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: Thank You Day"
Educational Focus: Social Skills, Emotional Development
Daniel Tiger teaches kids the importance of saying "thank you" through songs and interactive activities. This game is perfect for younger children learning about gratitude and kindness.
4. "Peg + Cat: The Thanksgiving Problem"
Educational Focus: Math, Problem-Solving
Peg and Cat must divide Thanksgiving food fairly among their friends. This game introduces early math concepts like fractions and sharing in a fun, holiday-themed setting.
5. "Super Why’s Thanksgiving Feast"
Educational Focus: Reading, Vocabulary
Super Why and his friends solve literacy-based challenges to prepare for a Thanksgiving feast. Kids practice spelling, word recognition, and reading comprehension while enjoying a festive storyline.
6. "Sesame Street: Elmo’s Thanksgiving Parade"
Educational Focus: Creativity, Fine Motor Skills
Elmo hosts a virtual Thanksgiving parade where kids can design floats and participate in holiday-themed mini-games. This activity encourages creativity and coordination.
How PBS Kids Thanksgiving Games Enhance Learning
PBS Kids Games are designed with child development in mind. Here’s how these Thanksgiving games benefit young learners:
1. Encourages Gratitude & Social-Emotional Growth
Games like Daniel Tiger’s Thank You Day and Arthur’s The Great Thanksgiving Listen teach kids the value of gratitude, empathy, and expressing thanks—key themes of the holiday.
2. Teaches Cultural & Historical Awareness
With games like Molly of Denali’s Beading Art, children learn about Native American traditions, promoting cultural understanding in an age-appropriate way.
3. Builds Early Math & Literacy Skills
Peg + Cat’s Thanksgiving Problem and Super Why’s Thanksgiving Feast reinforce math and reading skills through interactive puzzles and storytelling.
4. Promotes Creativity & Fine Motor Skills
Art-based games like Elmo’s Thanksgiving Parade allow kids to design and create, improving hand-eye coordination and imaginative thinking.
How to Access PBS Kids Thanksgiving Games
All PBS Kids games are free and easily accessible:
Visit the PBS Kids website.
Search for Thanksgiving games in the search bar.
Select a game and let your child play!
Many games are also available on the PBS Kids app, making it convenient for on-the-go fun.
Additional Thanksgiving Activities for Kids
While PBS Kids games are a great start, here are some offline Thanksgiving activities to complement the digital fun:
Thanksgiving Crafts (handprint turkeys, gratitude jars)
Family Gratitude Journal
Cooking Together (kid-friendly Thanksgiving recipes)
Outdoor Scavenger Hunt (nature-themed Thanksgiving hunt)
Final Thoughts: Make Thanksgiving Fun & Educational with PBS Kids
PBS Kids Games provide a perfect blend of entertainment and learning, helping kids celebrate the holiday while developing essential skills. From math and reading to cultural awareness and gratitude, these games offer something for every child.
This Thanksgiving, incorporate these PBS Kids games into your holiday routine for a fun, screen-time-worthy experience that the whole family will appreciate!
