Do you have crazy sports fans at your house? So do we. Our family loves cheering. My high school and college kids especially love to dress up, cheer loud, and pump up the crowd. They have flags, wigs, capes, and coveralls in their team colors. It’s serious business.
One weekend, when they were all home, my 11-year old nephew mentioned that he had his last rec basketball game of the season. My older boys decided it was time to do something awesome. They invited all of our extended family that lived in town to come to the game. The theme was “White-Out” so everyone was asked to dress in white.
We showed up early to tailgate in the rec center parking lot. The kids played cornhole and ate pizza. We loved the confused looks of some of the folks driving by in the parking lot.
Then we took over the stands in the rec center. As you may know, there are usually just a few parents and siblings in the stands, so our group really stood out. The other families thought it was hilarious. The statisticians and referees also got the giggles. This was not a normal day for recreational 6th grade basketball.
The boys worked the crowd, leading them in cheers, chants, and the wave.
One of my sons decorated a few thrift store t-shirts so they could be thrown into the stands during time-outs. It was pretty funny.
We learned all the players’ names and cheered just like we were watching a college game. The players were a little confused at first, but they soon embraced the crowd and the court was full of smiles. Every time Cousin Henry made a shot or stole the ball, the crowd went absolutely crazy. It really was so fun! And, that big smile on Henry’s face was the best of all.
So, we hope this easy idea adds a little fun one day for your family. Make a little person’s day by really showing them you’re their biggest fan!
If your church, school, or neighborhood is looking for a great children’s Thanksgiving play to celebrate the holiday, here is a simple script we created. Printable Children’s Thanksgiving Play Script
Children’s Thanksgiving Play
Cast
3 Narrators
Squanto
3-6 Pilgrims
3-6 Native Americans
If you have more than 16 children, you can add more pilgrims, Native Americans, and narrators. Make it work for you!
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Children’s Thanksgiving Play Narrators
thanksgiving play Script
Narrator 1: Many years ago, the Pilgrims prayed for a place to live where they could worship Heavenly Father and go to church.
Pilgrims kneel in prayer.
Narrator 2: They decided to come to America. They sailed on a big ship called the Mayflower.
Pilgrims carry cardboard ship across stage. Native Americans wiggle blue fabric for water.
Narrator 3: It took great courage for the Pilgrims to cross the ocean. There were many dangers, and the boat was cramped. There were no showers or bathtubs on the Mayflower, so it was probably pretty smelly too.
One of the pilgrims smells another and passes out.
Narrator 1: After a very long voyage, the pilgrims landed in America in a place they named Plymouth Rock.
Native American runs by holding carboard sign “Welcome to Plymouth Rock”.
Narrator 2: They went in search of food in the forest. They gathered seeds and berries.
Native Americans hold branches in the air and pretend to be berry bushes. Pilgrims pick berries from the bushes and eat them.
Narrator 3: But soon the weather began to change. The first winter that the Pilgrims lived in America was very long, very cold, and very difficult.
Pilgrims huddle together. Native Americans run by holding snowflakes and making rain and storm noises.
Narrator 1: Many of the Pilgrims became ill and nearly half of them died.
One of the Pilgrims lays on the ground as if she is dead. Others cry.
Narrator 2: When Spring finally came, it was a time of joy!
One Native American runs by with cardboard sunshine.
Narrator 3: The Pilgrims were befriended by the Native American tribes of the area. The Natives taught the Pilgrims how to fish, plant corn, and build homes. The Pilgrims could never have survived without the help of their new friends.
Native Americans and Pilgrims shake hands. One pair fishes. One pair plants seeds with dead fish in a hole. One pair stacks wood.
Narrator 1: One of the Indians was called Squanto.
Squanto walks in and stands with hands on his hips.
Narrator 2: Earlier in his life, Squanto had been kidnapped by an English explorer and taken captive to Europe. Although this was a horrible thing, Squanto learned the English language and, when he returned to America, he was able to act as a translator, guide, and advisor for the Pilgrims.
Two pilgrims walk in and shake hands with Squanto. Squanto leads them to other side of stage.
Narrator 3: Together, the Pilgrims and the Native Americans hunted ducks and geese, and other wild birds. The Pilgrims would be ready, this time, for the coming winter.
One Native American and one Pilgrim walk across the stage with sticks as guns. Another child dressed as a turkey runs from other side of the stage, clucking loudly. The Pilgrim says, “Catch that wild bird!” They chase the bird off the stage.
Narrator 1: When summer ended, the harvest was bountiful!
Pilgrims walk across stage holding pictures of Thanksgiving foods. (Corn, Squash, Pumpkin, Bread, Fruit)
Narrator 2: It was time to celebrate! They had plenty of food and many new friends. They wanted to give thanks to Heavenly Father for all of their blessings.
Narrator 3: “Join us!” the Pilgrims said to the Native Americans. “Join us in a big feast of Thanksgiving!”
Pilgrims wave to Native Americans, calling them to join the feast. Native Americans enter.
Narrator 1: Everyone was so excited, and everyone gave thanks to our Father in Heaven.
Pilgrims place food in the center, then join hands with Native Americans.
Narrator 2: What a wonderful first Thanksgiving Day!
Narrator 3: So, this Thanksgiving, when you gather with your family and friends to eat and celebrate, remember to pause and give thanks.
All: Children are still standing in a line holding hands. Each one takes their turn to say, “Give thanks for __________________.” (At our show, we had each child make a poster and hold it up to tell what they were most thankful for.)
The children can choose what they want to say, but here are some examples.
Give thanks for family, food, laughter, a warm house, good friends, freedom, animals, ice cream, the earth, love.
Optional Dance/Song
If you want, you can add a dance and song at the end. We used this one by the Learning Station.
List of needed supplies
Costumes
Pilgrim costumes
Native American costumes
Turkey Hat(s)
Here are two great links for costume ideas and patterns:
Blue fabric or 2 blue plastic tablecloths for ocean
Leafy branches for berry bushes
Fishing pole
Wood to stack
Cardboard cut-out pictures of:
The Mayflower
Welcome to Plymouth Rock
Snowflakes
Sunshine
1 Dead Fish
Corn, Squash, Pumpkin, Bread, Fish, Apples
The kids had a great time performing this children’s Thanksgiving play and, we hope, they learned a bit about the first Thanksgiving. We also hope it reminded them of the many reasons they have to be grateful.
You can adapt this script to your needs. We hope it gives you a good starting point for your own celebration. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Thank you to my friend Charlotte for taking all these great photos of our Thanksgiving play!
Capitol Reef is one of our favorite places. In fact, we’re hesitant to share it with the world. We feel like it’s a bit of a secret… and we like it that way. Our favorite time to visit is in the fall when the orchards are full of ripe fruit. We love camping in Fruita Campground, picking apples, and exploring the park. It’s a special place and we’ve visited many times over the years.
Hanging out in Capitol Reef
This 3-Day itinerary is a great vacation plan for families with young children. In addition to Capitol Reef, you’ll head over to Goblin Valley, which is a great place to let your imagination go wild. We took eight families from our neighborhood on this trip. Our little ones loved climbing in all the holes, caves, and cracks in the rocks at Capitol Reef. We let them stand up in the car with their heads popping out of the sunroof to bask in the glory of Capitol Gorge Road. They played hide and seek among the trolls and monsters of Goblin Valley and ran up and down the elephant skin mountains near Caineville. This is a magical place!
Capitol Reef & Goblin Valley 3-Day Itinerary
Find your way to Torrey, Utah. It’s a little town 206 miles south of Salt Lake City. We suggest rolling into town in the evening and grabbing some pizza at Red Cliff or burgers at Slackers. There are lots of lodging options in Torrey. For campers, we love Capitol Reef’s Fruita Campground.
Day 1: Capitol Reef
Capitol Gorge
Start your morning with an incredible drive down the Capitol Gorge Road to the Capitol Gorge trailhead. This drive is like a slot canyon for your car. We hope you have a sunroof. If not, stick your head out the window as far as you dare. It’s AMAZING!
Capitol Gorge Road- A slot canyon for your car!
At the end of the scenic drive, you’ll find yourself at the Capitol Gorge trailhead. Jump out and start walking. There are holes in the rocks everywhere. Little and big climbers rejoice!
You’ll see petroglyphs 0.2 miles in, followed by the pioneer registry at 0.6 miles. Early pioneers in the area carved or shot their names into the sandstone. The trail has eroded over time, so the names are high up on the walls. It’s pretty cool to think of early settlers and rotten outlaws coming through this trail hundreds of years ago. Go a little further and you’ll find some small pools of water known as the Tanks. Then, make your way back to the parking lot where there are covered picnic tables. Pull your cooler out of your car and bust out the sandwiches for lunch!
Hickman Bridge
After lunch, make your way back through the gorge and head to Hickman Bridge. This is an easy 2-mile hike to a large beautiful arch. You’ll find some shade below the arch and the kids will enjoy bouldering around the area. This is climbing kid paradise.
Hickman Bridge
Head back to Torrey or your campsite for the evening.
Day 2: More Capitol Reef
Start your day with a 3.4 moderately difficult hike to Cassidy Arch. If you go in summer, start by 8AM and take lots of water. It’s uphill much of the way to the arch. Make sure you watch for cairn markers to find your way. The trail is hard to spot once you’re on the slickrock.
Cassidy Arch
Cassidy Arch is one of the few arches you can walk on. Mom almost had a heart attack watching the kids walk across it. The arch is very thick and the kids felt completely safe, but moms have a hard time with danger sometimes. Is your mom like that? Even so, this is an amazing hike through the Grand Wash and ending with an incredible arch. We found this post from Earth Trekkers helpful: Cassidy Arch
Cassidy Arch in Capitol Reef
After your hike, stop by the Gifford House to buy some pie and eat your lunch at nearby picnic tables. When you’re rested and ready to go again, head out for Sulphur Creek.
Sulphur Creek
If you have two vehicles, shuttle one car to the visitor center and take your group in the second car to the Sulphur Creek trailhead 3.3 miles west of the visitor center. If you don’t have two vehicles, you can adapt your adventure accordingly. Make sure everyone has good shoes that can be immersed in water as they hike.
Sulphur Creek
Sulphur Creek is an incredible hike with waterfalls, a 600-feet deep gorge, cool rocks, and lots of opportunities for wading and swimming. It’s a child-friendly hike that’s fun for everyone. The route is six miles long from the Chimney Rock area to the visitor center. This is a fun afternoon hike when the the weather is warm/hot.
Work your way down the streambed until you run into Sulphur Creek. Splash your way downstream all the way to the Visitor Center. If you don’t have a car at the Visitor Center, go as far as you want, then walk back. Water levels vary greatly based on the time of year and rain. Check with the park rangers before you go, especially if you have little kids. MORE INFO
Day 3: Goblins and Slots
Pack up and drive an hour to Goblin Valley State Park. Make sure you look around at the other-worldy landscape as you drive through. It really does look like you’re on another planet. The area around Caineville looks like the hills are covered in elephant skin!
Walking on Elephant Skin near Caineville Utah
Goblin Valley
There’s a $15 entrance fee at Goblin Valley. Spend a few hours playing hide-and-seek and exploring the valley. Take time to soak in the magic. Try naming as many hoodoos as you can. When you’re done exploring, find the pavilion with picnic tables and eat lunch.
Hide and Seek in Goblin ValleyHoodoos in Goblin Valley
Little Wild Horse Canyon
Next, head over to Little Wild Horse Canyon, six miles down the road. This is a family favorite. It’s a kid-friendly slot canyon that will add to the delightful experience you just had in Goblin Valley.
Little Wild Horse Canyon
The slots are narrow, twisty and very colorful. There’s a little bit of bouldering in one section. Make sure to check the weather. Stay out of the slot canyon if there’s any chance of rain. We hope you’re there on a sunny day to enjoy this incredible canyon. It’s a perfect grand finale!
Props
