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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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:
Props
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!
