Thanksgiving poems for kids offer a perfect way for children to learn about gratitude, kindness and family togetherness. Through simple and joyful verses, these poems encourage little ones to express their thankfulness in creative and meaningful ways. Whether read at school, shared during family gatherings or enjoyed at bedtime, Thanksgiving poems for kids fill hearts with warmth, laughter and love while reminding everyone of the true spirit of giving thanks.
15 Thanksgiving poems for kids
Here are 15 delightful Thanksgiving poems for kids that capture the spirit of gratitude, family, and holiday fun.
1. At grandfather’s house by Siobhan Alvarez-Borland
Over the hills to grandfather’s house,
Through wind and falling snow,
We carry pie and cranberry sauce,
With cheeks all aglow.
The harvest moon is rising high,
Our boots are full of leaves,
The turkey’s warm, the cider sweet—
It’s Thanksgiving Eve!
2. Turkey time tangle by Siobhan Alvarez-Borland
The turkey wore a tutu,
The mashed potatoes flew—
Aunt Sally spilled the gravy,
And the dog barked “WOO-HOO!”
The tablecloth’s a canvas,
Our feast a work of art—
Thanksgiving’s not quite perfect,
But it’s full of messy heart.
3. A Thanksgiving dinner by Maude M. Grant
Take a turkey, stuff it fat,
Some of this and some of that.
Get some turnips, peel them well.
Cook a big squash in its shell.
Now potatoes, big and white,
Mash till they are soft and light.
Cranberries, so tart and sweet,
With the turkey we must eat.
Pickles-yes-and then, oh my!
For a dessert a pumpkin pie,
Golden brown and spicy sweet.
What a fine Thanksgiving treat!
4. First Thanksgiving by Aileen Fisher
Venison for stew and roasting,
oysters in the ashes toasting,
geese done to a turn,
berries (dried) and wild grapes (seeded)
mixed with dough and gently kneaded-
what a feast to earn!
Indian corn in strange disguises,
ash cakes, hoe cakes (many sizes),
kernels roasted brown….
after months of frugal living
what a welcome first Thanksgiving
there in Plymouth town!
5. Gobble gobble by Lynn Beaird
A turkey is a funny bird,
His head goes wobble, wobble.
He knows just one funny word-
Gobble, gobble, gobble.
6. Little child’s thanks by Siobhan Alvarez-Borland
I’m not very tall,
Still working on polite,
I spill all my juice
And hate sleeping at night.
But today I am thankful
For mashed sweet potatoes,
And that Mommy still kisses
My icky old toes.
7. I went hungry on Thanksgiving by Jack Prelutsky
I was hungry on Thanksgiving
But I couldn’t eat a thing
I couldn’t eat a drumstick
And I couldn’t eat a wing
I couldn’t have the pickles
Or the gravy covered rice
The pumpkin pie was luscious
But I couldn’t have a slice
I was starving for some stuffing
Or a tasty yellow yam
Or a puffy little muffin
Spread with homemade berry jam
Our dinner looked delicious
But I didn’t dare to touch
I went hungry on Thanksgiving
My new braces hurt too much!
8. Pumpkin pie smiles by Siobhan Alvarez-Borland
A giggle, a gobble, a grateful “Hooray!”
I hope you have fun this Thanksgiving Day.
With pumpkin pie smiles and laughter so bright,
You make every table feel just right.
9. The little girl and the turkey by Dorothy Aldis
The little girl said
As she asked for more:
“But what is the Turkey
Thankful for?”
10. Thanksgiving by Marchette Chute
I’m glad that I was good today
As good as I was able
I’m glad to be inside this house
And sitting at this table
I’m glad that it’s Thanksgiving Day
And all the world is merry
And I’m glad I have a fork
And that the pie is cherry.
11. Wild turkeys run by Siobhan Alvarez-Borland
Wild turkeys in the forest,
Marching one by one,
“We’ll dodge that oven’s shadow,”
“We’ll hide until it’s done!”
They waddle through the orchard,
They sneak behind the shed,
They whisper in a turkey huddle:
“Pretend we all are bread.”
12. The harvest moon by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
It is the Harvest Moon! On gilded vanes
And roofs of villages, on woodland crests
And their aerial neighborhoods of nests
Deserted, on the curtained window-panes
Of rooms where children sleep, on country lanes
And harvest-fields, its mystic splendor rests!
Gone are the birds that were our summer guests,
With the last sheaves return the laboring wains!
All things are symbols: the external shows
Of Nature have their image in the mind,
As flowers and fruits and falling of the leaves;
The song-birds leave us at the summer’s close,
Only the empty nests are left behind,
And pipings of the quail among the sheaves.
13. A Thanksgiving fable by Oliver Herford
It was a hungry pussy cat,
upon Thanksgiving morn,
And she watched a thankful little mouse,
that ate an ear of corn.
“If I ate that thankful little mouse,
how thankful he should be,
When he had made a meal himself,
to make a meal for me!
Then with his Thanks for having fed,
and thanks for feeding me.
With all his thankfulness inside,
how thankful I shall be!”
Thus mused the hungry pussy cat,
upon Thanksgiving Day.
But the little mouse had overheard
and declined (with thanks) to stay.
14. The loudest string by Siobhan Alvarez-Borland
I sang so loud at dinner,
My mashed potatoes flew,
My cousin plucked the gravy boat
And strummed it like a kazoo.
My uncle played the turkey leg,
My sister shook the beans—
Our Thanksgiving Day was musical,
A feast of loud routines!
15. A slice of thanks by Siobhan Alvarez-Borland
I’m thankful for my cozy bed,
My pillow and my toes,
I’m thankful for warm sweaters
And for frosting on my nose.
I’m thankful for my pumpkin pie,
My family, and my pup—
And most of all I’m grateful
For when they let me stay up!
Conclusion
Thanksgiving poems for kids are a wonderful way to teach gratitude, love and kindness in a joyful way. Through simple words and cheerful rhythms, children can share what they are thankful for while celebrating family and togetherness. Whether read aloud in class, performed at home or written in handmade cards, these poems bring warmth and meaning to the holiday season, helping kids appreciate the true spirit of giving thanks.
Looking for something more lighthearted? Check out our collection of funny Thanksgiving jokes for kids here.
