Preschool Harvest Feast

As previously posted, I worked for Joni’s Child Care for about 2 years (minus my student teaching time). They host several annual activities for their clients. Harvest Feast was always a lot of work, but probably my favorite of all of the special events. The week before Thanksgiving the kids would make all of the decorations and the food to host a lunch for their parents. I would suggest any day care or school participate in a similar event. The kids are extremely proud of what they do and it is definitely a time for parents to have some quality time with their son or daughter.

Keep reading for ideas. It’s been over a year, but hopefully I can remember a number of them to get you started on planning your own event.

For decorations:

• Lay roll paper over the tables and allow the kids to color it with crayons — instant “tablecloth” which makes for very easy clean-up.
• Cut paper towel tubes into one-inch rings and decorate for napkin rings.
• Traditional turkey art — craft feathers and google eyes add a little extra fun.
• Cut corn-shaped paper and let kids paint them by dabbing paint with Q-tips to make Indian corn. Tie raffia on the top for a little extra flair.
• Mayflower boats — Cut a boat shape out of paper and glue on popsicle sticks for masts. Then glue white paper or tissue paper sails.
• Pilgrim hats with glittery buckles.
• Free art — Use play Thanksgiving food (like turkey leg, potato, ear of corn, etc.) and allow kids to paint with the food as the instrument.
• Potato stamp art

Food options got creative because our school did not have an oven. We usually had a lot of crock pots going that day. Remember, the kids were supposed create the menu and make everything! (My class was full of three-year-olds.) Some options include:

• Turkey meatball soup in a crockpot
• Velveeta macaroni and cheese in a crockpot (an annual favorite)
• Turkey sandwiches or wraps
• Vegetables and dip (Kids actually cut the veggies with plastic knives)
• Applesauce in the crock pot
• Rolls (We made the dough one day and they formed the balls. I took it home and baked them in the oven.)
• Mashed potatoes in the microwave
• Canned veggies in the microwave
• Homemade butter
• Salsa and chips (The kids made a simple salsa).
• Jello
• Pumpkin pudding parfaits
• Crakers, cheese, and pepperoni
• Salad and salad dressing

I’m sure that there were many more decortions and food items. If I think of more, I’ll add them. Please also add your own ideas to the list!