Do you need something to keep the kids engaged while you finish Thanksgiving meal prep?

 Now that I am an adult, I see how much preparation and planning goes into Thanksgiving Day.  Children are oblivious...as they should be! I'm here to help you make the morning a little less stressful for you, too!

Growing up, I LOVED watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  When I had my own children, I was a little shocked at how uninterested they were in the parade on television.  What?!!  If we are home, I still turn it on and tell my children to wait for the Big Guy in Red at the end.  

Let's be honest, kids want to move and do things.  This printable will give your children something to do while they watch the parade.  They can use the printable to draw their own parade balloon.

If you have party balloons and construction paper on hand, pull those out! Invite your children to actually make the balloon. 

You can also have your children go on a scavenger hunt from the couch!  These are always a hit for my children.  And it will give them something to do, while you finish baking that pie.

If you still have some more cooking to do, turn on the dog show and see if your kiddos can find these dogs:

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

5 Teeth Brushing Songs

 

We have several favorite songs we sing at the center.  One of them is Raffi's "Brush Your Teeth."  I saw these adorable dentist sets on some instagram pages I follow for the Dollar Tree.  It wasn't until this week, that I finally scored a few sets!  

I love to incorporate props into circle time.  I thought the children could literally brush the teeth while we sang the songs.  I think I will swap out the plastic brush for real toothbrushes, in order to make this activity more authentic.  Just know that the kiddos may naturally put the toothbrushes in their own mouths.  You may want to write each child's name on their own brush.

Here are the best songs about brushing your teeth:

1. Raffi's "Brush Your Teeth"

2. Super Simple Monster's "Brush Your Teeth Song"

3. Disney Junior's "Brush to the Beat"

4. Koo Koo Kangaroo's "Brush Yo' Teeth"

5. Jim Gill's "Hands are for Clapping"

Okay.  I know this one is not JUST about teeth, but it has a pretty catchy part about teeth are for brushing :)