Want to contribute to your church Thanksgiving celebration? Try this service project where kids prepare table dressings three weeks in advance.

3 Weeks Before Thanksgiving Celebration: Kids Decorate Placemats

You’ll Need:

• plastic tablecloth
• card stock
• fall-colored paint
• paintbrushes

What You’ll Do

Spread a plastic tablecloth over the workspace, and lay out paints and paintbrushes. Let kids paint card stock sheets, which will be used as placemats on the Thanksgiving table for your church’s Thanksgiving celebration. Tell them they can paint things they’re grateful for.

After kids are finished painting, allow time for the paint to dry. Set placemats aside for next week.

2 Weeks Before Thanksgiving Celebration: Kids Give Thanks

You’ll Need:

• kids’ placemats from last week
• markers
• laminator or plastic sleeves

What You’ll Do

Spread all the dry placemats around the work area. Have children write various things they’re thankful for on all the different placemats. These will be a great reminder on your Thanksgiving table.

Once kids are finished writing, laminate the placemats or put them in plastic sleeves so they’re ready to be used!

1 Week Before Thanksgiving Celebration: Kids Set the Table

You’ll Need:

• dried corn husks
• dinner napkins
• Thanksgiving table utensils

What You’ll Do

Have children create napkin rings by tying dried corn husks around dinner napkins. If possible, allow the kids to set the tables for the celebration.

If your church doesn’t have a Thanksgiving meal, kids can host a “pumpkin pie-fest” as a fundraiser or service project the week before Thanksgiving, or they can donate the table decorations to a charitable housing shelter or food program.

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Need more Thanksgiving ideas? You can find lots of fun and practical ideas in the book Seasonal Specials for Children’s Ministry: All-NEW Ideas for 13 Holidays.

Check out all these great ideas for Thanksgiving.