Thursday, November 10, 2011

Turkey Dinner Mayflower Bread Boats and more Thanksgiving Ideas for KIDS



We took a cozy midweek Wednesday to celebrate November.  For our school lesson yesterday we reviewed the Thanksgiving story and celebrated with finger puppets and a special KID FRIENDLY dinner.  We shared together the beautiful and strong character qualities of both the Indians and the Pilgrims and focused on why it is so important to have thankful spirits always!  ...because a thankful heart is a lucky heart. 


 I thought of such a super cool idea the other night as I was in bed trying to fall asleep (that's when my mind always thinks of all this homemakerish stuff) ;)  I was SO excited to try it!  How fun to make Mayflower Ship bread boats to hold a Thanksgiving style meal in!  I knew my boys would love it.


As we were kicking off Thanksgiving season and learning about our American history, I whispered to them that they were going to have a turkey dinner and would be eating the Mayflower ship.  They spent the rest of the afternoon guessing how that would be possible...



It is very easy to create these bread bowl meals:

1) Buy small loaves of bread from your local bakery.  I bought three different varieties: wheat, Italian, and Sourdough.  
2) Turn the loaves upside down and cut an oval into the bottom of the loaf.  Pull out extra bread.  
3) Fill with your favorite classic turkey foods!  I used turkey, stuffing, and roasted squash.  You could also use whole cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, or mac & cheese. 
4) Stick in your prepared sails.  I cut cereal boxes into sails and hot glued them onto leftover flag poles from our Veteran's Day parade.  You could also customize the sails by writing their names on them.
5) Serve to the little people and everyone is happy!

 
I made different sails to add variety.


I also used our Pressed fall leaf garland for the decor.

 Turkey breast, herb stuffing, and roasted squash...

Wood forks, spoons, and knives just for the little people.



Sail away, sail away, sail away...


The boys also enjoyed coloring finger puppets with templates I found on Pinterest
They are simple and adorable! 

 Color and color!


We loved our personal show and story of Thanksgiving!  A lot of times, the things that warm our hearts the most are the classic, simple activities practiced as kids and enjoyed over again as adults.


 The boys gave their Pilgrims and Indians special names like Zza for an Indian and Zade and Sarah for the Pilgrims.



I'm a crazy fan for this season!  
October, November, December are the cozy months with lots of festive fun.




One more EXCITING thing!  
I was extra happy to hear that Parent's Magazine
wanted to share my turkey kid's cups from last Thanksgiving!  
Happy Girl.




You can find them on the Parent's Magazine 100 Days of Holidays
along with lots of other adorable projects!
So, go take a peek!


Count Your blessings, 

This post is linked to: DIY Fall Festival, Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal SundaysMet Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff,   Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up  DIY by Design

The DIY Show Off

36 comments:

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com said...

SUPER cute, as always! I never get tired of the Mayflower boats for Thanksgiving! Love them as bread!

Congrats on the feature! I actually saw that on their site!

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com

Kristin said...

I just LOVE it! What a creative idea. Love the place mats too! Your boy are very blessed to have a mom like you! Thanks for sharing the ideas.

b. said...

You have the cutest ideas! Love this so much. And... the food looks soooo delicious too!!! Your kids have so much fun and while learning too. You are a super-mom!!!

Abby Killam said...

I am so stealing your turkey cups this year for my preschool feast, they will love it. THANKS

Randi~Dukes and Duchesses said...

Those bread boats are just awesome ... what kid wouldn't absolutely love them? And how fun that your turkey cups were featured by Parents! That's big time!

Maggie Lamarre said...

very creative, Would luv for my readers to see this awesome idea, will you please join our weekly party at
http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-showcase-tutorial-with.html
Maggie
http://passionatelyartistic.com

Elle and Lou said...

I can imagine this adapted slightly for a pirate party too. Lou

Unknown said...

What a great idea!! I'll have to try this for my boys!

Controlling My Chaos said...

I love the bread boats and your turkey place mats are adorable!

Unknown said...

SUCH a clever idea! Who wouldn't love a bread boat? And your turkey cups are adorable...congrats on being chosen by Parents! I can see why they picked you! Pretty please say you'll share this post here:

http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2011/11/shine-on-fridays-1.html

Karen said...

You are so creative! I love that idea;) I started a linky party a few weeks ago and would love you to link up! It's called Friday Frolic!
http://karismaheartsavannah.blogspot.com/2011/11/friday-frolic_11.html

Unknown said...

i saw those cups! So cool they were YOURS! these are all genius ideas!!!!!!!!

Jenny said...

I wish I lived by you. I would soooo wrangle invitations to come to your house all the time for my Grandlittles and me. Okay, and my husband. And maybe my oldest daughter. And her husband. And my friend, Roxie, And.


Ummm...

Okay.

Never mind.

You're just so creative!

Unknown said...

These are such great ideas. The boat is genius. My son is all about the bread served at meals.

I would love for you to link this post to my Thanksgiving Traditions link up on Thursday!

Blissful & Domestic said...

so fun and festive! I'd love for you to link up to my linky party
www.blissfulanddomestic.blogspot.com

Brit said...

Oh My! What an awesome idea :) Love the bread bowls, and the turkey cups, and heck I loved it all! Thanks for sharing, and just in time for Turkey Day :) Can't wait to show off this coolness at my family dinner :)
Britney
www.jandmseyecandy.blogspot.com

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I tweeted about needing kids Thanksgiving craft ideas the other day. I should have come here first!

Jewel Sauls said...

So cute! I love the Mayflower bread bowls! And super exciting to have your Turkey cups in Parents Mag!!!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

I really need some grandchildren...I miss doing crafts with the kids! This is just the cutest idea!

Liz@A Dish Here, A Glass There said...

OH my how cute and creative! Those bread bowls look so yummy and they made perfect sailing ships! Very ingenious! Your kids must have loved them. I loved seeing their sweet faces with the finger puppets! You are right- it's always fun to do a simple activity and perhaps repeat something you did as a child with your own!

Marlis said...

So darling.. I think I need this for my grands.. what a clever idea.. xo marlis

Jamie @ DIY Home Sweet Home said...

What a fun dinner. I'll have to find a way to make them gluten free for my girls. Hope to see you at DIY Home Sweet Home. I'm also your newest follower. Cute blog.
Jamie
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/

Alycia Nichols said...

Those bread boats have got to be one of the most creative things I've ever seen!!! I don't think we're going to have any little kids here this year (the grandkids are getting so big now!), but I will tuck this idea into my brain matter for future use! :-)

Share Knowledges said...

Decoration of unique way is always make my cooking day more happy and joy. I never forget to shoot after decorating dishes. Will sure to share my all dishes at my personal blog land.
gifts for boys

Jill @ KitchenFunWithMy3Sons.com said...

Such a great idea! Just shared this on our Fun Finds Friday... http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2011/11/fun-finds-friday_18.html

Jenn Erickson said...

The Mayflower bread boats are such an amazing idea! LOVE it!! Pinning and stumbling for sure!

Of all the hundreds of link-ups over at 504 Main, I clicked on yours because it caught my eye. Always a treat to find that a new gem from an old bloggy friend!

Jenn/Rook No. 17

Elaine said...

Very very creative! Your boys look like they are really enjoying their Thanksgiving activities! Congrats on your feature in Parent's magazine!

Loy said...

Coming over from Friday Favorite Finds. So very cute. I want to sit at the kid's table.

Victoria said...

Awwww. A Mayflower boat out of bread is awesome! I love it:)

Susie said...

Thank you so much for featuring our finger puppets in this amazing article. It is so rewarding to see that the crafts we design actually bring smiles to kids' faces.

Your children are so lucky to have a mom like you!

Cheers!

Susie and Maya Eshel
www.easy-child-crafts.com

darrin merit said...

You have done very nice post for giving some ideas for giving thanks. I like all ideas. I also like all images in this post.

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House of Smiths said...

Okay, THIS is genius! SO inventive and FUN for kids!
Great work!
xoxo

Vanessa said...

What a festive way to celebrate and learn. This is awesome!

megan {homemade ginger} said...

these are adorable! I would be honored if you shared this at my Ginger Jamboree Link Party!

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