Thanksgiving’s sneaking up on us again, and you know what? This year, we’re flipping the script. Forget the stress of hosting a full-blown adult Friendsgiving – let the kids take center stage! Trust me, a Kids Friendsgiving party is one of those genius ideas that’s ridiculously easy to pull off and creates memories your little ones will treasure.
The best part? Zero pressure. No fancy invitations required – just shoot a quick text to a few friends, pick an afternoon, and let the fun unfold. Here’s everything you need to host a Friendsgiving bash that’ll have the kids (and their parents) calling you the MVP of party planning.
Set the Scene with Natural Fall Vibes
Skip the store-bought decorations and go straight to nature’s candy aisle: pumpkins, gourds, and apples galore. Pile them up around your party space for an instant harvest feel that screams fall without screaming “I spent hours on Pinterest”.
Here’s a pro tip most people miss: apples are seriously underused in fall decor. Those pops of bright red against orange pumpkins? Chef’s kiss. Your party table will look like it belongs in a magazine, and all you did was visit the produce section.
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Turkey Sandwiches That Are Almost Too Cute to Eat
Get ready for the “awwws” because these turkey sandwiches are about to steal the show. Here’s the foolproof formula:
What You’ll Need:
- Bread slices
- Sandwich fillings (turkey, ham, PB&J – whatever the kids love)
- Circle and flower-shaped cookie cutters
- Edible candy eyeballs
- Cheese slices (for the beak)
- Fruit strips (for the gobbler)
How to Make Them:
- Make sandwiches with your kids’ favorite fillings
- Use the circle cutter for the turkey’s body and the flower cutter for the feathers
- Add two candy eyeballs near the top
- Cut a small triangle from cheese for the beak
- Shape a fruit strip into a wavy gobbler and attach below the beak
Pro Tip: Let the kids help assemble their own turkeys – it doubles as a craft activity and lunch prep!
Apple Plates That’ll Make Your Table Pop
Transform plain red plates into adorable apple plates with this two-minute craft:
What You’ll Need:
- Red plates
- Brown construction paper (for the stem)
- Green construction paper (for the leaf)
- Scissors
- Tape or glue
How to Make Them:
- Cut a small rectangle from brown paper for the stem
- Cut a leaf shape from green paper
- Tape or glue both pieces to the top edge of each red plate
Your kids will love helping with this one, and it instantly elevates your table from “casual snack time” to “we really thought this through”.
The Grown-Ups Need Love Too: Set Up a Cider Bar
Because let’s be real – parents dropping off their kids aren’t going to feast on turkey-shaped sandwiches. Set up a simple cider bar that says “welcome, adults, we see you”.
What You’ll Need:
- A large beverage dispenser
- Apple juice or apple cider
- Sliced apples
- Cinnamon sticks
- Vintage mugs (or any festive cups)
- Cinnamon donuts for snacking
Fill your dispenser with apple juice, toss in apple slices and cinnamon sticks for that cozy fall aesthetic, and stack your mugs nearby. The whole setup takes five minutes but looks like you hired a party planner.
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Activity #1: Bobbing for Apples (Yes, Really!)
I know what you’re thinking: “Is bobbing for apples still a thing”? The answer is a resounding YES. Kids go absolutely wild for this classic fall activity, and you’ll be shocked at how many want multiple turns.
What You’ll Need:
- Large basin or tub
- Water
- Apples (enough for everyone to have several attempts)
- Towels (lots of them!)
How to Play:
- Fill your tub about halfway with water
- Add apples – they’ll float perfectly on top
- Let kids take turns trying to grab an apple using only their mouths (no hands!)
- Have towels ready for the inevitable splashing and soggy faces
Pro Tip: Set this activity up outside if weather permits, or lay down a waterproof tablecloth indoors. Things will get wet, and that’s half the fun!
Activity #2: Turkey Apple Craft
This craft is pure genius because it keeps kids entertained and creates a healthy snack for later. Win-win!
What You’ll Need:
- Apples (one per child)
- Toothpicks
- Gumdrops (various colors)
- Raisins
- Marshmallows
- Muffin tin (to organize supplies)
How to Make Them:
- Set out all supplies in a muffin tin so kids can easily grab what they need
- Have each child take an apple as their turkey’s body
- Stick toothpicks into the back of the apple for tail feathers
- Top each toothpick with colorful gumdrops
- Use toothpicks to attach raisins as eyes and a marshmallow as the gobbler
Safety Note: Keep a close eye on younger kids with toothpicks, and consider breaking them in half for little hands.
Sweet Treats That Celebrate the Season
No party’s complete without a little sugar rush! You don’t need a full dessert table – just a few special treats will do the trick:
Easy Options:
- Caramel apples with DIY topping stations (crushed Oreos, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts)
- Mini apple pies (store-bought or homemade – we don’t judge)
- Decorated sugar cookies in apple, pumpkin, and leaf shapes
Set everything out on a simple platter, and watch the kids’ eyes light up.
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✉After your purchase, you can download your files directly from the website or find them in the email receipt we send you.
📧Should you encounter any issues, please contact us at [email protected] and we'll assist you within 24-48 hours.
The Secret Weapon: Send-Home Snacks
Here’s something seasoned party hosts know: kids get so busy playing that they often forget to eat. Then five minutes into the car ride home, the “I’m starving!” chorus begins. Be the hero parent who thinks ahead.
What to Send Home:
- Individual snack pouches (applesauce pouches are perfect)
- Small bags of goldfish or pretzels
- A cookie in a clear treat bag with a ribbon
Pro tip: Choose non-perishable, portable snacks that won’t create a mess in the car. Parents will silently thank you.
Your Friendsgiving Game Plan
Two Days Before:
- Text your invites
- Buy supplies and ingredients
- Make sure you have enough towels for bobbing for apples!
Day Before:
- Bake cookies (if making from scratch)
- Prep cider bar ingredients
- Set up your craft station
Party Day:
- Make apple plates with the kids
- Assemble turkey sandwiches
- Set out activities and let the fun begin!
Why This Party Works Every Single Time
A Kids Friendsgiving party hits the sweet spot of being special without being stressful. There’s no formal seating chart, no pressure to cook a turkey, and no worrying about whether cousin Jerry and aunt Susan will get along. It’s pure, uncomplicated fun that celebrates friendship, gratitude, and the best parts of the holiday season.
Plus, your kids get to play host – teaching them hospitality, planning skills, and the joy of bringing people together. Not bad for an afternoon of turkey sandwiches and bobbing for apples, right?
So grab those apples, round up some friends, and let your kids show you how Friendsgiving is really done. With these ideas in your back pocket, you’re ready to create an afternoon filled with laughter, messy faces, and memories that’ll last way longer than any turkey dinner.
Pro Tip: Snap lots of photos of those turkey apples and decorated plates – you’ll want to remember (and recreate!) this party for years to come.
More Fall Party Ideas to Keep the Fun Rolling:
Gratitude Pumpkin: The Sweetest Thanksgiving Tradition Your Family Will Actually Look Forward To
70 Best Thanksgiving Games for Family: Guaranteed Laughter & Unforgettable Memories
35+ Epic Pumpkin Games for Kids’ Parties That’ll Make This Fall Unforgettable
How to Host an Epic Pumpkin Carving Party
How to Play Pumpkin Roll Fall Party Game
15 Gratitude Activities & Traditions for Your Family This Thanksgiving
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