Thanksgiving is a time for gathering, gratitude, and reflecting on all the blessings in our lives. It’s also a perfect opportunity to teach kids the values of giving back, working hard, and dreaming big—principles at the heart of entrepreneurship.
At our Thanksgiving we start early by gathering at the cousins’ house and invading the kitchen where we are quickly ejected! The day is filled with board games, football on TV, catching up and, of course, cooking. It’s a busy and fun day with lots of hustle and bustle.
This Thanksgiving, I’m thinking about how to involve all the kids of varying ages in an activity. Why not make the holiday about more than just football, games, turkey and pie?
Here are some fun ways to combine gratitude with entrepreneurial lessons for your kids:
1. Host a Thanksgiving Kidpreneur Challenge
Before the big meal, challenge your kids to come up with a fun, holiday-themed business idea.
Example Ideas:
A pumpkin pie delivery service for neighbors.
Selling handmade table decorations.
Creating and selling “Thankful Coupons” families can use to show appreciation.
Encourage your kids to plan, create, and even “pitch” their ideas to family members. Offer small prizes (or even a financial grant) to keep it fun and engaging!
2. Start a Family Gratitude "Business"
Create a pretend business where your family “sells” gratitude. Set up a “Gratitude Table” with index cards or sticky notes and encourage everyone to write what they’re thankful for.
Take it a step further by brainstorming ways to “market” gratitude. Could your kids make thank-you cards for teachers or neighbors? Sell handmade crafts and donate the proceeds to a cause they care about? This activity helps kids connect thankfulness with action and generosity.
3. Give Back to the Community
Entrepreneurship is about solving problems and serving others, and Thanksgiving is the ideal time to give back. Work together as a family to:
Make items for donation such as:
No-sew blankets, knit or crochet items for The Linus Project
Handmade cards with notes in them for Cards for Hospitalized Kids
Wreaths or ornaments for your neighbors out of found fall foliage
Care packages for homeless shelters in your area
Donate canned goods to a local food bank
Bake treats to share with community helpers, like firefighters or healthcare workers
Host a “Gratitude Sale,” where your kids sell crafts or treats to raise money for a local charity
These experiences teach kids that entrepreneurship is not just about making money—it’s about making an impact.
4. Reflect and Set Goals for the Future
After the meal, gather the family to reflect on what you’re most grateful for this year. Then, shift the conversation to the future:
What’s one goal each family member wants to achieve?
How can you support each other in reaching those goals?
For aspiring young entrepreneurs, this could mean starting their first small business, saving for a big dream, or simply learning something new.
Gratitude in Action
At its core, Thanksgiving is about more than food and family—it’s about showing gratitude through action. By incorporating entrepreneurial lessons into your Thanksgiving traditions, you’re helping your kids develop skills and values that will last a lifetime.
This holiday, let’s celebrate the incredible potential in every young mind, give thanks for the opportunities we’ve had, and look forward to creating even more for the next generation.
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Young CEO Squad!
About the Author
Suzanne Hornwood Appel the Founder of Young CEO Squad, an educational platform and product line dedicated to inspiring young kids to venture into entrepreneurship. She is an experienced marketing executive with a 25-year background in creating and running digital marketing programs for large companies. Appel lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two kid entrepreneurs.
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