These Montessori-inspired Thanksgiving Activities for Tots with Free Printables were created just for Sunshine to enjoy during the autumn holiday season. 

Though only two years old, Sunshine feels very much left out when she doesn't have learning activities like her siblings. 

We hope you enjoy them as much as she does!

Here are Sunshine's newest activities!

Thanksgiving Activities for Tots with Free Printables

Thanksgiving Sensory Bin with Emphasis on the Letter P

I had fun with this sensory bin. I thought about adding a few more items, like pigs that the Pilgrim's brought over etc., but I worried it would be too overwhelming for Sunshine.  

Sunshine's not the biggest fan of sensory bins. She won't put her hands in them, unless there's an object she'd like to pull out.  In this bin there are three letter Ps, and then three sets of match up cards and objects.  

I like to try to create some type of educational activity within the sensory bin for her, to keep her interest and increase vocabulary, as she still struggles with her speech.

This sensory bin includes, rice, popcorn kernels, Indian Corn, black beans, wheat berries, pasta, letters, cards, and objects.  

I made sure that if Sunshine decided to eat any or all of the objects, they were either too big to fit in her mouth or they were edible.  She craves oral stimulation, which usually leads to putting everything in her mouth.

Source: The cards used in this sensory bin can be found as part of a free Thanksgiving Packet at Homeschool Creations.

Pilgrim Coloring Page

Sunshine loves to color, except for when she decides she doesn't.  

Usually she screams and cries, begging to color, as she sees her siblings doing. Then, the minute I give her paper and crayons, she decides she wants nothing to do with it.  Her older siblings have a similar coloring page on their shelve this week. 

I'm hoping eventually she'd decide to go for it and actually color.

Source: I found this free coloring page, along with one of a Pilgrim Boy at Activity Village.

Pumpkin Dot Tweezing Activity

I went back and forth with this activity, trying to decide if I wanted to use an orange dot marker, beads, play dough balls, or pom poms.  In the end I decided on pom poms.  

Sunshine has tasted these before and decided she wasn't a fan.  I worried that if I had to tend to Bulldozer or any of the other kiddos for a minute, I'd end up with orange dot marker all over the carpet, walls, and her clothes. 

Either that or Sunshine would decide to suck the ink out of the of the marker.  Bulldozer was notorious for that at this age.  And beads...  There's always the choking hazard.  Play dough ended up being used for other activities.

I'm guessing Sunshine won't choose to use the tweezers, but I'm sure she'll enjoy putting the pom poms on the pumpkin.  And maybe, just maybe, she'll attempt using the tweezers by the end of the week.

Source: This free pumpkin printable can be found at Crystal & Co., along with many other Thanksgiving themed pages.

Pumpkin Spice Play Dough Activity

If you haven't noticed, our color of the week is orange.  Sunshine really struggles with fine motor skills, especially when it comes to using her fingers properly.  

I just happened to have orange popsicle sticks on hand along with very large noodles that could easily fit over the sticks.  This is sure to be a hit!  It smells so good too.

Spooning Indian Corn Kernels

The kiddos had a blast tweezing corn kernels last week. They've been fabulous to have around and use for other activities such as this.  I love all the rich fall colors.  They're so beautiful.

Sunshine struggles with feeding herself.  Every meal, she ends up using her hands to eat, as she becomes extremely frustrated with utensils.  Sunshine and frustration don't mix.  

I thought this might be a fun skill to practice when we're not eating.  

I selected a spoon that most resembles the size of her spoon.  

The corn kernels are small enough for practice, but large enough for when she dumps then all over the floor and needs to pick them up.  (It's actually a fabulous fine motor activity in itself.)  

I provided her with two bowls, just for fun and to increase the possibility of her deciding to practice pouring.

Gourd Fill & Spill

Sunshine is obsessed with putting items in and out of containers, especially when there's a lid involved. 

I can just see her now putting all of the gourds in the pitcher, putting the top on, taking the top off, pouring them back into the bin, and starting all over again.  

I love the simplicity of entertainment when kiddos are this age.

Throwing Practice with the Color Orange

It's always fun to incorporate some type of gross motor activity on the shelves.  

Here I have a small waste basket, and three objects of varying textures, shapes, and weight.  There are no set instructions for this activity, as Sunshine will most likely have her own agenda.  

I'm sure she'll amaze me with all of the many functions she'll come up with for these four objects.

Play Dough Fork Practice

Once again I'm using my favorite pumpkin spice play dough for this activity.  

Sunshine struggles just as much using a fork, as she does a spoon.  I'm hoping this activity might help her understand the whole "stick" process.  

Sunshine will be asked to "stick" the play dough in the bowl, using the fork and transfer it to the plate. She'll need to use her fingers to take the play dough off the fork, but that's okay for this activity.

Sunshine is always wanting to do what her siblings are doing, even if she's technically not Montessori preschool age. 

I try to design her activities to promote the development of fine and gross motor skills as well as sensory integration. These can be great activities for little ones in occupational therapy.

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