Thanksgiving is all about coming together, sharing a meal, and celebrating gratitude—but let’s face it: kids don’t always love the traditional holiday dishes. Green bean casserole? Maybe not. Cranberry sauce? Not their favorite.
To ensure your little ones are as excited about the food as they are about dessert or playtime, why not serve up dishes tailored to their tastes?
From fun twists on classic dishes to kid-approved creations, Thanksgiving dinner can be just as enjoyable for the youngest members of your family as it is for the adults. Think bite-sized portions, familiar flavors, and festive presentations that make dinnertime more like playtime.
These recipes strike the perfect balance between holiday tradition and kid-friendly fun, making your Thanksgiving meal a hit for everyone at the table.
In this blog post, we’re sharing 24 Thanksgiving dinner ideas that will have kids coming back for seconds (and thirds).
Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or keeping it small, these recipes are guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters.
24 Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas for Kids
1. Mini Turkey Sliders
Small turkey patties served on slider buns with cheese and ketchup make a fun and approachable main dish.
2. Mac and Cheese Cups
Bake mac and cheese in muffin tins for individual servings that are easy for little hands to grab.
3. Pizza Roll-Ups
Roll out crescent dough, fill with marinara and cheese, and bake for a Thanksgiving twist kids will love.
4. Sweet Potato Tots
Bite-sized and crispy, these tots are a great way to introduce sweet potatoes to kids.
5. Mini Corn Dogs
Perfect for picky eaters, mini corn dogs are a fun addition to the Thanksgiving table.
6. Cheesy Mashed Potato Bites
Turn mashed potatoes into crispy bites by baking them with cheese and breadcrumbs.
7. Turkey-Shaped Sandwiches
Use cookie cutters to make sandwiches in the shape of turkeys—perfect for picky eaters.
8. Stuffed Crescent Rolls
Fill crescent rolls with turkey and cheese for a handheld Thanksgiving snack.
9. Mini Pizzas with Thanksgiving Toppings
Top English muffins with cranberry sauce, turkey, and cheese for a creative mini pizza.
10. Vegetable Sticks with Hummus
Arrange carrots, celery, and cucumber into a “turkey feather” pattern around a bowl of hummus.
11. Chicken Nuggets Shaped Like Leaves
Use cookie cutters to shape chicken nuggets into leaves for a festive touch.
12. Pumpkin-Shaped Quesadillas
Cut tortillas into pumpkin shapes, fill with cheese, and grill for a cute and tasty treat.
13. Mini Meatballs
Serve bite-sized turkey or beef meatballs with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
14. Cranberry Jello Cups
A sweet, wobbly side dish that lets kids enjoy cranberry in a fun and approachable way.
15. Mashed Potato Smiley Faces
Pipe mashed potatoes into smiley faces and bake until golden for a whimsical side dish.
16. Sweet Potato Fries
Seasoned with a touch of cinnamon, these fries are a kid-friendly take on sweet potatoes.
17. Mini Pumpkin Pies
Bake pumpkin pie filling in muffin tins for individual servings that kids can decorate with whipped cream.
18. Fruit and Cheese Skewers
Thread grapes, apple slices, and cheese cubes onto skewers for a healthy and fun snack.
19. Turkey-Shaped Fruit Platter
Arrange fruits like grapes, oranges, and strawberries into a turkey shape on a platter.
20. Mac and Cheese Stuffed Peppers
Hollow out mini bell peppers and fill them with creamy mac and cheese.
21. Turkey Meatball Skewers
Thread mini turkey meatballs, cherry tomatoes, and cheese cubes onto skewers for a colorful, bite-sized main.
22. Grilled Cheese Dippers
Cut grilled cheese sandwiches into strips and serve with a side of tomato soup for dipping.
23. Crescent Roll Veggie Pizzas
Spread crescent roll dough with cream cheese and top with chopped veggies for a kid-approved appetizer.
24. Mini Apple Pies
Use muffin tins to create bite-sized apple pies with a lattice crust for a fun dessert kids will love.
FAQs
How do I keep kids interested in eating Thanksgiving dinner?
Incorporate foods they’re already familiar with, make dishes fun to look at (like turkey-shaped sandwiches or smiley-faced potatoes), and serve smaller, manageable portions.
What are some healthier options for kids on Thanksgiving?
Opt for dishes like vegetable sticks with hummus, sweet potato fries, or fruit skewers to add balance to the meal.
Can I make these dishes ahead of time?
Yes! Many dishes like mac and cheese cups, mini meatballs, and pumpkin pies can be prepped or fully cooked ahead of time, saving you stress on Thanksgiving Day.
How can I make Thanksgiving dinner fun for kids?
Set up a special kids’ table with festive decorations, kid-sized utensils, and holiday-themed placemats to keep them entertained while they eat.
What’s a good way to handle picky eaters?
Offer a mix of familiar foods and slightly adventurous options, letting them explore new flavors at their own pace.
Bottom Line
Thanksgiving is a time to create lasting memories, and that includes making sure the kids have a meal they’ll truly enjoy. By incorporating fun, festive, and kid-friendly dishes, you can ensure the youngest guests feel included and excited about the holiday.
These 24 ideas are sure to bring smiles, empty plates, and maybe even requests for seconds!
Here’s to a Thanksgiving filled with joy, laughter, and happy tummies.
Happy Thanksgiving!