Hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be a daunting task, especially when you have little ones to consider. But with some creative planning, you can make the holiday enjoyable for guests of all ages, including YOU!

Here are 8 practical tips to ensure your Thanksgiving is both adult-friendly and kid-friendly. (Because we all know that it’s much easier to have fun when the kids are settled and having fun.)

1. Embrace Creativity with Butcher Paper Tablecloths

Ditch the worry over spills on fancy linen by using butcher paper as your tablecloth. Not only is it affordable and easy to clean up, but it also serves as a giant canvas for children ( and creative adults). Scatter crayons and stickers across the table and encourage the kids to draw and decorate. This keeps them engaged and allows adults to savor their meals and conversation a bit longer.

2. Outdoor Appetizer Stations

Set up appetizer tables outside, complete with snacks that both kids and adults can enjoy. Alongside the food, provide outdoor activities like chalk, football, and wheeled toys. This approach encourages kids to play and expend energy, while adults can mingle in the fresh air. Plus, it eases the crowding in the kitchen during those last-minute meal preparations.

3. Pre-Dinner Kids' Meal

Ease your worries about picky eaters by feeding your children beforehand. Prepare simple dishes they love to ensure their tummies are full and before the main event. This way, you can relax and not stress over what they're eating (or not eating) during the official dinner.

4. Establish a 'Thankful Tree' Tradition

Involving kids in a gratitude activity can be both meaningful and entertaining. Create a "Thankful Tree" using precut leaves and a bit of wire. Kids can ask guests to write what they're thankful for on the leaves and then attach them to a tree base. This not only gives children a sense of responsibility but also helps them to learn about gratitude in a tangible way.

5. Collaborative Menu and Place Cards

Involve your kids in the preparation by having them help with the menu or place cards. This small task can make them feel involved and important, and your guests will appreciate the personalized touch.

6. Set Up a Kids-Only Zone

Designate a special area just for kids, equipped with activities and games to keep them entertained. Fill it with puzzles, coloring books, or very simple activities like beading or building with magnetic tiles. This 'kids-only zone' can be a space where they can retreat from the adult festivities and have their own fun. Bonus points if you have older cousins to supervise the littles!

7. Interactive Snack Making Station

Create a snack station where kids can get hands-on in preparing their own treats. Offer simple ingredients for them to mix and match. Think fruit skewers, veggie cups with dip, or DIY turkey sandwiches.

8. Thanksgiving Movie Marathon

Once dinner is done and the dishes are cleared, settle the kids down with a Thanksgiving-themed movie marathon. This can be the perfect wind-down activity and give adults the chance to relax or catch up with each other. Check common sense media. org for the ratings you can trust on whats appropriate and what’s not.