Updated for 2019!
The little trick or treaters have come and gone, candy wrappers are scattered around the house and stores are forcing you to put together those Christmas lists already. I am here to encourage you to not forget about Thanksgiving. It’s so easy to fall into the hype and go full force into Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa and any other holiday you may celebrate, but please make sure you explain to your kids the importance of Thanksgiving as well.
To help, I have come up with a list of brain boosting family fun events in NJ that can get the Thanksgiving celebrations started. I know we are all tempted to head straight to the Santa arrivals, and I am not saying to skip them, but make sure you check out these fun ways to honor Turkey Day too!
Brain Boosting Events to Celebrate Thanksgiving
Adventures in Storytelling: Follow the outdoor path and read The Busy Squirrel at the Tenafly Nature Center from September 21-December 20.
DIY Wings Craft: November 9 11am-3pm at Lakeshore Learning stores.
Seasonal Scavenger Hunt: November 9 2-3 pm at Tenafly Nature Center.
Apple Cidering: November 9, 10, 12:30 or 2:30pm at Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center in Chatham.
Walk In Cooking Class: November 15 6pm-7pm at Chef It Up in Mount Olive.
Fire Breathing Dragon Craft: November 16 11am-3pm at Lakeshore Learning Stores.
Thanksgiving Kids Cooking Class: November 16 11am-12pm at Shoprite in Chester.
Thanksgiving Kids Night Out: November 16 6pm-9pm at Riverside Kids in Mansfield/Hackettstown.
Holiday Pies and Treats Tasting: November 16-17 12pm-4pm at Tranquility Farms in Andover.
Thanksgiving – Harvest Home and Armistice Day Observation: November 17 12pm – 4pm at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morristown.
Turkey Talk: November 21 10:30am – 11:30am at Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge.
Make & Take Gourdgeous Thanksgiving Centerpiece: November 21 7-8 pm at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum.
Delightful Dragon Eggs Craft: November 23 11am-3pm at Lakeshore Learning stores.
Early 19th Century Thanksgiving: November 24 11am – 3pm at Allaire Village in Farmingdale.
Mommy and Me Cupcake Decorating: November 19 10:30am-11:30am at Cupcake Cafe in Hamburg.
Toddlers and Tykes Totally Turkey: November 21 10am-11am at Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area in Montville.
Thanks for Thanksgiving: November 21 4:30pm-5:30pm at Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township.
Thanksgiving Kids Night Out: November 22 6pm-9pm at Riverside Kids in Mansfield/Hackettstown.
Tots and Turkeys Toddler Time: November 23 9am-11am at Skyzone in Mount Olive.
Apple Cidering: November 23, 24, 30 12:30 or 2:30pm at Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center in Chatham.
Thanksgiving Hayrides: November 30 10-4 pm at Howell Living History Farm in Lambertville.
I’m A Knight Medieval Helmet Craft: November 23 11am-3pm at Lakeshore Learning stores.
Campfire Cooking: A Taste of Thanksgiving: November 22 4:30-6:30 pm at Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center in Chatham.
Thankful Friendship Bracelets: November 23 12:30-1:30 pm at Essex County Environmental Center.
Friendsgiving After Party: November 29 9pm-midnight at Skyzone in Mount Olive.
We will be updating this list as more events become available so please check back frequently!
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My kids would love so many of these!
Lots of fun ideas! We donated to a food drive and our school does a turkey drive.
What great resources you have access to! I love this holiday for the many lessons it offers our kids – even if it’s not as historically accurate how we celebrate!
I’m going to look for a turkey trot near where my in-laws be since we will be visiting them on thanksgiving.