Thanksgiving Ideas- Plus a Link Up!

I am so excited about Christmas this year.  Something about the holiday is just producing this sense of awe, wonder, magic, and a twinkle in my eye.  However, I also realize the importance of not skipping over Thanksgiving because there is equally something magical about this holiday.  There is something about taking the time to truly be thankful for the things that we have, the things that so many of us take for granted, that places my heart in such feelings of gratitude that I am sometimes left with tears in my eyes.  Just last night, on the coldest night of the year (a chilly 26 degrees) I became so incredibly thankful for my house to keep me out of the wind and for my warm bed and blankets to sleep under.  I looked up the statistic and it's estimated that approximately 100 million people in the world are currently homeless.  That means that last night approximately 100 people may have slept in the cold.

There is truly always something to be thankful for. 

Today, I'm hosting my first ever link-up because I want to see what you guys and gals are up to for Thanksgiving!  Link up your family friendly blogs below with your posts on your Thanksgiving traditions, crafts, food, family, etc... If it relates to Thanksgiving link it up!  I'll be sure to check them all out!  

I want to share with you some of my favorite crafts, activities, and devotions that I have found via Pinterest to help your family have a fantastic Thanksgiving!  

Kids Thanksgiving Tree: Source

If you are searching for the perfect lesson for your #KidsMin this one is only $15 on CMD!  

This Thanksgiving banner will look cute and stylish in any home and comes with a free pattern to download plus a full tutorial: Source

Take your family on a nature walk and as your walking talk about all the things that you are Thankful for in God's creation.  It's a great time for kids to talk about all their favorite bugs and animals, grass, trees, and falling leaves.  

After your nature walk check out this adorable Turkey craft made from real leaves picked up along the walk.  This is a great activity for Thanksgiving morning while mom or dad is in the kitchen cooking, the kids can be sitting at the table working on their own project. 

Here's a great and most importantly FREE object lesson using candy corn from childrensministry.com!

Check out this cute Turkey craft perfect for your Wednesday night service before Turkey day.

Be sure to be sensitive to kids with allergies! 

Also, don't forget the simple activity of sitting around with your family at the table after your Turkey dinner and give a chance for everyone to say what they are thankful for.  We have been doing this in my family for as long as I remember and it is still my best and favorite memory of my childhood.  

For more Thanksgiving ideas be sure to follow my Pinterest boards here! 

Don't forget to link up your own Thanksgiving ideas or even something you are thankful for! 

Top 5 Easy DIY Musical Instruments

Coming up this Wednesday my kids ministry will be themed around Music night. 

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.  Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs."  -Psalm 100:1-2

I thought I'd put together a craft post of some easy instruments that every kid can make at home. 

Last summer, I hosted a music night and we made a lot of the instruments right there at the church.
I love music and it is very important to me that my kids learn at a young age how important it is to worship the Lord through music.  Every kid can make a joyful noise to the Lord with both their voice and an instrument.

Here are some simple musical instruments that your kids can use to sing and dance to Jesus.  

Egg Shakers

We all have old Easter eggs sitting in our closet and a bag or rice or dry beans in our kitchen. 

Scoop a small handful of rice (or the food or noise maker of your choice) in your Easter egg and you have an instant shaker. 

If you don't want rice all over your house I suggest taping or gluing your egg shakers closed.  

Shoe Box Guitars

Need an idea for all those old shoe boxes sitting in your closet?  Make shoe box guitars. 

Grab some markers, crayons, wrapping paper, etc and let your kids go to town on decorating the outside of the box. 

After your kids have decorated the box, find some string or yarn. 

Use a hole puncher to punch holes in both sides of your guitar and tightly string your yarn across. 

Make sure that your string is pulled as tightly as it can be so that it will make a noise.
If you want to have a neck on your guitar use an old paper towel roll.
Hot glue* it to the shoe box and you have a complete guitar.  

Paper Plate Tambourines

This is also another super easy do it yourself instrument.
Much like the egg shaker, all you need is a paper plate, rice or beans, and a stapler.
Let your little one's decorate the backs of their paper plates however they wish with markers, crayons, etc...
After they have finished decorating fill the plates with whatever you want (different foods make different sounds) and staple it shut.
And just like that you have a tambourine.

Drums
This is by far the easiest instrument of all to make.
Grab some pots and pans, and a few cooking spoons or spatulas and you have an instant drum set.
I do recommend grabbing some earplugs for mom & dad before using this option though.
For a more complicated drum set you can use old oatmeal (or any circle) containers.
Cover the outside with construction paper, let your kids decorate, and go to town.

Microphone
When I was growing up I was the singer of my family.
My dad always says that I learned the words to the Disney songs faster than anyone he'd ever seen.
To make a microphone for the little vocalist in your family just save those empty paper towel holders.
Gather one up and decorate it however you want.
For the little girls in your family I recommend lots of sequins and bling.
She'll go nuts over her very own bedazzled microphone that she can use to sing to her hearts content.

Do you make any instruments with your kids?

Leave your suggestions in the comments! 

*Hot glue should only be used by adults or by those with proper adult supervision!