Kids’ Friendsgiving Lesson: Cooking, Table Setting, and Read-Alouds

There’s something extra special about gathering with friends in the fall, and this year our library enrichment group hosted a sweet and simple Friendsgiving meal activity that quickly became one of my favorite days of the season! The goal was to bring our kids together, help them practice real-life skills, and enjoy a cozy meal they helped prepare. Families signed up ahead of time to bring sides and desserts, and by the time everything came together, we had a full, delicious feast made by many little hands working together.

If you’re looking for an easy, community-building activity for your homeschool group, co-op, or your parent friend group, this Friendsgiving setup is low-prep, kid-friendly, and filled with meaningful learning moments.

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Why Host a Friendsgiving for the Kids?

A Friendsgiving gathering is a natural fit for children because it blends hands-on learning, community connection, and practical life skills all in one. Kids get the chance to:

• Work together toward a shared goal

• Practice safe food-preparation skills

• Experience the joy of making a meal for others

• Build social-emotional skills like cooperation and gratitude

• Enjoy cozy seasonal traditions with their peers

  
  

It’s also flexible and easy to scale for mixed ages. Our group included learners as young as four and as old as nine, and they handled each part great with simple guidance.

What You’ll Need

Here’s what we used for this activity, though you can easily adjust ingredients based on your group’s preferences and allergies:

• A variety of veggies for chopping (carrots, celery, peppers, onions, etc.)

• Kid-safe knives or butter knives

• Cutting boards

• Pre-cooked chicken

• Pre-cooked noodles

• A portable hot plate or electric skillet

• Bowls, plates, utensils

• A table-setting diagram printable (optional)

• Thanksgiving-themed read-aloud books or books centering around seasonal shifts from fall to winter

  
  

Prep Ahead of Time

A little preparation made the day run smoothly:

• We created a sign-up sheet so families could bring sides and desserts.

• We pre-cooked the chicken and noodles at home to simplify the timing.

• We set up chopping stations so each small group of kids had their own veggie and tools.

• Print and laminate table-setting diagrams to use them again next year.

Our Friendsgiving Activity: Step by Step

1. Welcome & Stations

As families arrived, we had kids design their placemats by simply decorating large construction paper sheets. They wrote their names, drew pictures, and listed things they were thankful for. 

Then we grouped the kids at different vegetable stations. Each group had a cutting board, butter knives, and a small bowl. Before we got started, we talked through basic knife safety and how to hold the veggies steady.

2. Chopping the Veggies

This was easily the most joyful part! The kids loved chopping their assigned veggies, and it gave them a chance to practice fine-motor skills in a safe, hands-on way. Older kids worked more independently, while younger ones had a little extra help.

3. Adding Everything to the Skillet

After chopping, each group took turns adding their veggies to the electric skillet. We talked about how vegetables soften as they cook, how smells change, and how different ingredients blend together. Once everything was sautéing, we added the pre-cooked chicken and noodles to warm through.

The whole room smelled amazing!

4. Read-Aloud Time While the Meal Cooked

While the mixture simmered, we gathered the kids on a cozy rug and read a few Thanksgiving stories. This quiet moment offered a nice reset after all the hands-on excitement and kept everyone busy while the food finished cooking. Here are a few of my favorites!

If you’re looking for some stories that are less Thanksgiving-themed and more centered around the seasonal change, check out our list of favorite books for the winter-to-fall transition!

5. Practicing Table Setting

Next, we brought out the table-setting diagrams and let the kids set places for all their friends. They practiced:

• Where to place the utensils

• How to position plates

• Where napkins belong

• How to set cups correctly

  
  

This was a surprisingly engaging activity, and several kids wanted to do it more than once!

6. Time to Eat!

When the skillet dish was ready, families added their sides and desserts to the table. The kids were so proud to serve and eat a meal they helped cook. The best way to finish the afternoon is with a simple gratitude circle where each child can share one thing they’re thankful for, and don’t forget to take a group picture!

Learning Connections

This Friendsgiving activity is rich in cross-curricular learning if you want to take it up a notch:

• Practical Life Skills: chopping, stirring, table setting

• Math: measuring veggies, counting scoops, dividing portions

• Science: how heat transforms ingredients, textures, and smells

• Literacy: seasonal read-alouds and group discussion

• SEL: cooperation, patience, gratitude, and community-building

  
  

It truly checks every box for a well-rounded learning activity!

Tips for a Smooth Friendsgiving Event

• Choose veggies that are easy for young kids to cut with butter knives.

• If you have a large group, set up multiple chopping stations.

• Use a clearly labeled sign-up sheet so sides and desserts are balanced.

• Bring extra utensils and bowls, just in case.

• Consider food allergies ahead of time and coordinate with families.

• For larger groups, you can make two skillet mixtures simultaneously.

  
  

Optional Extensions

• Create thank-you cards for parents and caregivers.

• Do a “taste test” and talk about flavors and textures.

• Add a simple nature walk before or after the meal.

• Make a gratitude banner or a “thankful tree” the kids can decorate.

  
  

Hosting a Friendsgiving for your child’s group doesn’t have to be elaborate or stressful. With a little planning and lots of kid involvement, it becomes a warm, memorable event that brings your community together and teaches meaningful life skills along the way!