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Thanksgiving Craft for Kids

Pilgrims giving thanks. Image courtesy of debspoons at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Pilgrims giving thanks. Image courtesy of debspoons at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

If you are a school teacher or just a busy parent, Thanksgiving coloring pages can be a lifesaver when you are looking for a way to keep your child occupied for a certain period of time.  You can find Thanksgiving coloring pages in many places on the Internet that are free for download directly to your printer.

Do you want some suggestions for web sites that you can go to so you can find Thanksgiving coloring pages?  Well, I think I can help you.   Here are some of my most favorite sites:

  • http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/thanksgiving/ – not only does this site have many Thanksgiving coloring pages, but they also offer coloring pages for other holidays as well as some great craft ideas for you to use year-round.  This web site is, by far, the best resource you will find for not only Thanksgiving coloring pages, but also for learning activities and crafts as well.  Of course, that’s my opinion!
  • http://www.coloring-page.com/thanksgiving.html – we like this web site because it has lots of coloring pages but it also has lots of interactive learning activities including some that help children learn to read, learn about phonics, and lots of other helpful ways to learn about other subjects.
  • http://www.apples4theteacher.com/coloring-pages/thanksgiving/ – with lots and lots of Thanksgiving coloring pages as well as other holiday coloring pages and resources for teachers and home schooling parents, this is a great web site to find help with all kinds of subjects from art to history to geography.  Many think that teaching across the curriculum (incorporating all subject areas into a lesson plan) is a great way to help a child learn.  This web site will certainly help in that area!

The best part about Thanksgiving coloring pages and other holiday coloring pages is that not only can they be colored and displayed, but they can also serve as templates for other crafts.  If you are looking for a picture of a pilgrim to make a craft from, look for Thanksgiving coloring pages and use the picture as a guide.

Kids craft sites with great things for Thanksgiving:

There are many other web sites out there with free printable Thanksgiving coloring pages.  Just search with your favorite search engine and then pick the site that best fits your needs!

From all of us at Happy Caterpillar, we wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.

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Keeping Your Halloween Party Budget Friendly

Halloween parties can be fun for all ages, but they can also become expensive quickly if you do not have a budget in mind. And while everyone wants to invite all of their friends, the more people, the more money the party costs. After all, you have to figure in the decorations, entertainment, food, and costumes. However, with the right planning you can create the perfect Halloween party on any budget.

Make it a potluck

Potlucks are a great idea for any party. For starters, you do not have the work and expense of creating multiple dishes yourself. You also get the advantage of trying new and different recipes. It is often easiest to make the main dish yourself, and assign dishes to different party goers (for instance, asking one family to bring a side dish, another dessert, another salad, etc.). You can also make your Halloween party snacks or desserts only.

Plan ahead and shop on sale

If you host an annual Halloween party, paper supplies and decorations can often be bought cheaply in November for the following year. If this is your first year hosting a Halloween party, start buying as soon as Halloween merchandise starts hitting the shelves so that you can take advantage of the lower prices and better selection.

Halloween Table Setting. Image courtesy of Apolonia at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Halloween Table Setting. Image courtesy of Apolonia at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Look for items that can be used more than once

If you can get two uses out of one item, you have saved money right there. Pumpkins that are painted or left natural (no carving) can be used to make baked goods after the guests have gone home. Fall decorations can work just as well in November as in October, provided that there is nothing specifically Halloween about them. Also look for Halloween decorations that can be reused from one year to the next. That way, if you do invest much money this year, you won’t have to next year.

Small and intimate beats large and loud

While a large party involving the entire neighborhood may sound like fun, the amount of money that it will cost, let alone the amount of room that you will need, can make this a bit prohibitive. Consider making the party for adults only, or limit to only the families that you are closest with.

Shop at warehouse stores

Buying in bulk is often less expensive, especially when you need to buy a large amount of items. Candy, paper goods, and treats for the goodie bags can often be found for less than you would pay at the department stores.

Chances are, if you spend more money on your Halloween party than you were intending, it is only going to stress you out. So by shopping smart and planning ahead, you can have just as much fun without the stress.