50 Fun Thanksgiving Writing Prompts for Kids

Creative writing prompts are a great way to get your kids writing. These fun Thanksgiving writing prompts will get kids’ creative juices flowing so they can easily write a story without suffering from writer’s block.

Fun Thanksgiving Writing Prompts

Below you’ll find an incredible list of Thanksgiving prompts that you can use with both your elementary students and middle school students. You can use these prompt ideas as daily writing prompts for the whole month of November or let your kids choose one short story to write.

You can print this list and some Thanksgiving-themed notebooking pages for writing at the bottom of this post. 

Mouse on the Mayflower Writing Prompt

You are a stowaway mouse on the Mayflower. One day, you overhear two of the sailors talking, and it doesn’t sound good. What are they talking about, and what do you do next?

Pretend You Are a Dog on the Mayflower Prompt

You are one of the two dogs on the Mayflower taking a trip to the New World. All of a sudden, the other dog picks a fight with you. What do you do to settle things down?

Family Dog Eager for Thanksgiving Prompt

 You are the family dog and are eager for Thanksgiving table scraps. What foods are you hoping your family remembers to make?

Detour Into the Woods Writing Prompt

You are on a long car ride to your grandmother’s house when your dad notices a detour sign ahead. He follows it, and you end up in the woods. Then you see something you never thought you’d see. What is it, and what happens next?

Hiding the Evidence Writing Prompt

You helped your mom bake a pumpkin pie for dinner, but as it was cooling, you took a spoonful out of the middle. How will you cover the evidence so no one knows?

Thanksgiving at Your Aunt’s House

Your mom says you can take one thing with you to have fun with at your aunt’s house this Thanksgiving. What do you pick, and why?

No Electronics on Thanksgiving Day Prompt

 Your family makes a new rule that no one is allowed to use any computers, phones, tablets, video games, or other similar types of electronics all day on Thanksgiving. How does the new rule change your day? How does the day go?

New Thanksgiving Dish Writing Prompt

You have an idea for a new dish to try to make this Thanksgiving. Your sister thinks it’s a terrible idea. Do you convince your mom to let you try to make it? What is it, and how does it come out?

The Unusual Pumpkin Patch Prompt

Your family goes to a pumpkin patch to choose a pumpkin for your Thanksgiving pies. You wander off by yourself, walk around a huge pumpkin, and spot something unusual on the ground. What is it, and what happens next?

The Missing Ingredient Writing Prompt

You are helping your family make homemade applesauce when you realize you are missing an important ingredient. What are you missing, and what do you try to use instead? How does it work out?

Oh No! The Wrong Recipe Writing Prompt

You have the family cookbook open and are following a recipe to make your family’s favorite dish, but somehow, the page gets turned while you are working. You don’t realize it and start to follow the wrong recipe. What are you trying to make, and how does everything turn out? Do you catch your mistake in time?

First Thanksgiving in a New Country Prompt

 It is your first Thanksgiving since you moved here from another country, and your friend is trying to tell you what all the traditions mean. You think some of them sound a little strange! What tradition does his family have that you think is the strangest of them all?

Sharing a Room for Thanksgiving Writing Prompt

Your eight cousins are coming to stay with you for the Thanksgiving holiday, which means you have to share your room with two of them. Normally, you enjoy seeing your cousins, but you really don’t want to share your room this year. Why is this year different, and what happens when they arrive?

The Living Turkey Prompt

Your family ordered a “fresh” turkey for Thanksgiving, but they didn’t realize that it meant it was so fresh that it was still alive! What do you do?

A Model of the Mayflower Writing Prompt

You decide to build a model of the Mayflower to use as a centerpiece for your dinner table. What do you make it out of, and what happens as you build it? Does everything go smoothly, or do some things go wrong?

The Big Fight Writing Prompt

You’re having a big family get together, and there are place cards showing everyone where to sit. You don’t realize until everyone sits down that two of your aunts are sitting together—and they just had a big fight. How do you help your family out of this awkward situation?

The Mystery Guests Writing Prompt

When you start to set the place cards out for everyone at dinner, you notice there are several cards with names of people you don’t recognize. Who are these mystery guests, and who invited them? Do they show up for dinner? What happens next?

No Power on Thanksgiving Writing Prompt

You wake up in the morning on Thanksgiving and are ready to start cooking when all of a sudden, the power goes out! You can’t cook or heat anything now, and the power looks like it will be out all day. What food do you have at your house that you can use to make an unusual Thanksgiving dinner? How do you make the day special with the sudden change in plans?

Don’t Be Thanksgiving Dinner! Writing Prompt

You are a turkey on a farm, and you hear your family talking about picking a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. What do you do to try to make sure you’re not the one chosen?

Favorite Family Story Prompt

Every year at Thanksgiving dinner, the adults start telling stories of things that happened when they were kids. You’ve heard some of the stories so many times that you could tell them yourself! What is your favorite story that they tell?

A Cat on the Mayflower Writing Prompt

You are a cat on the Mayflower, and your job is to catch mice, but you have a problem. You’ve never really liked the taste of mice. You’d much rather eat some of the Pilgrims’ food. How do you get through the long voyage?

Sick Dog on the Mayflower Writing Prompt

You are one of the two dogs on the Mayflower, and a terrible storm has blown up. You are very seasick, but your favorite human is also sick. You want to be strong to help them feel better. What do you do?

A Turkey with Blue Wings Prompt

You are a young wild turkey in the woods, and you heard that it’s time for the hunters to come look for Thanksgiving turkeys. There’s one problem—something went wrong, and you were born with blue wings. You’ll never be able to hide from the hunters. What do you do? Who can help you?

Wild Turkey with a Hurt Beak Prompt

You are a wild turkey, and you were out playing when you had a bad fall and hurt your beak. Now you can’t eat the seeds and nuts you’re supposed to eat, and you’re getting hungry! What do you do?

No Brussels Sprouts for Thanksgiving This Year Writing Prompt

Your mom always serves Brussels sprouts on a platter with the turkey, but you hate Brussels sprouts. This year, you decide to switch them on the platter for another green food that you like more. What do you trade them for, and what happens next?

Cleaning the Thanksgiving Turkey Prompt

It is your first year to help get the Thanksgiving turkey cleaned and ready to cook. You had been looking forward to it—but then you find out you have to stick your hands inside the raw turkey. This does not sound like a good idea to you. Do you toughen up and do it, or do you try to get out of it? If you try to get out of it, what excuse do you use?

Turkey Football Game Writing Prompt

You are a young turkey on a turkey farm. The last customer just left at the end of the busy Thanksgiving season, and you and about two dozen of your friends remain. Your owners go inside and start to prepare their Thanksgiving meal, and you and your friends decide to have your own football game. What position do you play, and how does the game go?

Thanksgiving on Crutches Prompt

Last week, your sister tried to lift the heavy, frozen turkey out of the big freezer case at the store and accidentally dropped it on your foot! You broke your toe, and now you are on crutches. Your sister feels terrible and has offered to wait on you all through Thanksgiving. What do you do? Do you take advantage of her offer? How does Thanksgiving go?

A Turkey Without a Wing Writing Prompt

You’re asked to play the turkey in a Thanksgiving play, but when it is time to perform, you discover there is a wing missing from your costume. What do you do to cover up that fact and perform in the play?

A Strange Noise on a Family Farm Writing Prompt

You are a turkey on a family farm, and your owners have all gone to bed. You are just settling down for the night when you hear a noise. You hear it again. What is it? Is it dangerous? What do you do, and what happens next?

The New Thanksgiving Tradition Prompt

You and your family have just finished your Thanksgiving meal, and you are stuffed! There was so much good food! This year, your family wants to start a new tradition after the meal. What tradition is it, and how does it go?

The Turkey Superhero Writing Prompt

 You are a turkey, but you have a secret. You are also a superhero. When no one is looking, you dash off to save the day on a regular basis. Today is no different. Who gets into trouble, and how do you help?

A Disguised Turkey Writing Prompt

You are a turkey and really don’t want to be picked for Thanksgiving dinner this year. You try some disguises so no one will notice you. What disguises do you try? Do they work?

A Lost Tooth in a Thanksgiving Dish Prompt

Your little brother lost his tooth while you were all in the kitchen getting Thanksgiving ready. No one can find it, and you are afraid it ended up in one of the dishes. What do you do, and what happens next?

A Baby Turkey Writing Prompt

You are a baby turkey who has just poked through its shell. What is your first day in the outside world like?

To Glitter or Not to Glitter Writing Prompt

 Your mom asked you to help your little sister with her turkey craft while she gets lunch ready. The one thing she does not want her to use is the glitter, which happens to be your sister’s favorite thing to use. How does craft time go? Does she get the glitter, or do you find clever ways to keep her busy without it?

The First Thanksgiving in Plymouth Prompt

It’s the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, and you are one of the kids who helped build the tables for everyone to use. While the food is being set out, you notice one of the tables has a wobbly leg. What do you do?

The Thanksgiving Play Writing Prompt

Your homeschool group is putting on a play for Thanksgiving, and you have to help. What is your job? Do you like it? How does the play go?

The New Thanksgiving Dessert Prompt

You want to make a new dessert for Thanksgiving. You want the dessert to look like something that is a symbol of Thanksgiving. What do you make, and what does it look like? What do you make it from?

The List Writing Prompt

You are supposed to make a list of twenty-five things you are thankful for, but you get stuck after you write the first ten. What do you do to help you think of more?

The Missing Piece of Dinner Writing Prompt

Everyone is at the table for Thanksgiving dinner, and you realize you have forgotten an important piece of the dinner. What is missing, and what do you do?

Hiccups at the Thanksgiving Table Prompt

Everyone is taking turns around the table saying what they are thankful for, and you suddenly get the hiccups. What do you do to try not to interrupt? What happens next?

The Thanksgiving Joke Prompt

 You decide to play a joke on everyone this Thanksgiving, so you scramble the letters in everyone’s name on the place cards for dinner. What happens when everyone sees what you did?

The Bean Casserole Excuse Prompt

You really don’t like the bean casserole your aunt brings every single year to Thanksgiving dinner. You are running out of excuses not to eat it without hurting her feelings. What excuse do you try this year? Does it work?

The Strange Instrument Writing Prompt

Every year, your uncle who works at a music store brings a new instrument to Thanksgiving dinner to play. This year, he brings the strangest instrument you have ever seen. What is it, and what does it sound like? Do you give playing it a try?

Filthy Clothes Before the First Thanksgiving Dinner Prompt

You are a young Pilgrim doing chores on the morning of the first Thanksgiving. When you are collecting the eggs, you slip on something nasty and get your clothes filthy. What does your mom say, and how do you get cleaned up in time for dinner?

The Football Game Prompt

Everyone is getting ready to watch the big football game on television, but you are really not a fan of football. Still, your mom says everyone has to spend the day together in the living room. What do you do while everyone is watching the game?

A Pilgrim’s First Day in the New World Writing Prompt

You are one of the Pilgrims who has just landed. It’s finally your turn to go on shore. What is the first thing you do?

The Wackiest Thanksgiving Dream Prompt

You fall asleep after a long, busy Thanksgiving and have the craziest, wackiest dream. What do you dream about?

Something Other Than Turkey Day Writing Prompt

You really get mad when people call Thanksgiving “Turkey Day.” This year, you decide to remind people why Thanksgiving is about more than turkey. What do you do? 

Free Printable Thanksgiving Writing Activities

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post to download our fun Thanksgiving writing prompts.

Gratitude Writing Prompts – You’ll love this list of gratitude writing prompts to help make writing fun for your kids.

Historical Speech Analysis & Copywork: Thanksgiving – Your high school students will find this historical speech analysis and copy work fascinating as they learn how to analyze a speech.

Thanksgiving Writing Activity Ideas

If you’re looking for another Thanksgiving writing activity, take a look at the writing ideas below. These fun ideas include writing a Thank You Letter, an acrostic poem, and a short story.

Thank You Letters

Encourage your kids to write a kindly note to someone who’s important to your child. They can thank the person for being in your child’s life and for any fun activities they’ve done together. Writing a note to a best friend can become a beautiful family tradition. You can print a letter template for kids to make it easy.

There are many benefits of cursive writing, so perhaps you can encourage your student to write in cursive. You can use free printable cursive handwriting worksheets if they need extra practice. 

Thanksgiving Acrostic Poems

Have your elementary kids write an acrostic poem. The idea is simple. Write a word such as gratitude, Thanksgiving, or pumpkin pie on a piece of paper. You want each letter on its own line. Each line of the poem begins with each letter of the word you’re writing about.

As an example:

Pumpkin or apple

Incredibly delicious

Eaten at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Traditions

Encourage your children to write about their favorite family traditions. Thanksgiving traditions include people you invite over, the foods that you eat, asking each other what Thankful means, or even watching Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. If your kids prefer, they can write about a new Thanksgiving tradition they’d like to start.

The First Thanksgiving

Have your elementary kids write about the history of Thanksgiving. You have a couple of options. Kids can write a short story about the First Thanksgiving or write a short report. Either way, this is a great way to give your kids some fun writing practice. 

Thanksgiving Then and Now

Have your older kids write a comparison about the differences between Thanksgiving then and now. They can write the comparison on a sheet of paper or even create a short film about the changes.

Thanksgiving Favorite Foods

What are your children’s favorite foods? Young writers love writing about their favorite food to eat no matter if it’s sweet potatoes, homemade soup, or pumpkin pies. You can discuss this writing prompt at the dinner table or hand them a piece of Thanksgiving writing paper. 

A Native American / Indigenous People Research Project

Encourage your homeschool students to complete a Thanksgiving writing paper about Native Americans or indigenous people. Your older students can research the culture and history. Kindergarten students through the second grade can watch a short film and then narrate what they learned.

Writing Resource You Might Like

• How to Teach Narrative Writing
• How to Write a Paragraph for Kids
• Writing Helps: Words and Phrases that Show Transition – Download a free transition words chart.
• Rubrics for Writing Assignments
• Daily Writing Prompts for Middle School (and all other grades too!)

More Thanksgiving Printables

• Printable Leaf Templates 
• Thanksgiving Worksheets 
• Thanksgiving Color by Number
• Turkey Coloring Pages
• Thanksgiving Dot Painting 
• Mayflower Craft Template
• Easy Thanksgiving Crafts
• Pilgrim Coloring Pages
• Thanksgiving Math Worksheets

Fun Thanksgiving Writing Prompts PDF

No more boring writing prompts! These fun Thanksgiving writing prompts will have your kids giggling as they write creative stories. Click the image below to download a PDF of fun Thanksgiving writing prompts.

In Conclusion

These amazing Thanksgiving theme prompt ideas are perfect for kids of all ages. Kids can write the prompts in a journal or use a graphic organizer template to arrange their thoughts before writing a creative story. Your kids will get needed practice with story writing steps while having a great time creating an imaginative short story.