How to Keep Your Children Busy During Thanksgiving Dinner Preparation

Thanksgiving begins to roll around again, and it's time to make Thanksgiving dinner. Some may decide to prepare a day or so before the big holiday, and some may prepare even a week before! Of course, then there's those years where you have been so busy, that the holiday sneaks up on you, and before you know it-it's time to prepare Thanksgiving dinner again!

When preparing dinner, and if you have young children, sometimes it's hard to keep them entertained while you busy yourself in the kitchen to prepare the main course and all of the side dishes. While you can ask your guests to bring some of the dishes for the main day, there are still some of them that will need to be prepared in your home as well.

One thing that can keep the dinner from getting made on time, is the run of children in and out of the kitchen, and those who are curious of what's going on in that kitchen, and best of all...What is that smell? How does the Thanksgiving chef keep the children busy and entertained while the dinner is being prepared in the kitchen?

If you are cooking the day before, invite some of your family who may have children, or even your parents who can help keep the kids busy while food is being cooked. Children can organize board games, movies, or even do some crafts while dinner is in preparation. Invite family or friends who can help you organize their inside activities if the weather will be too cool for the children to play outside. While some may feel guilty about placing their children in front of the television for a "baby-sitter," it can also hold a child's attention at least for an hour or so. Either let your children invite a friend or two, or bring over one of their cousins to enjoy some Disney movies while dinner is being cooked. Have a few fall snacks such as candy corn, or even some movie food like popcorn available for them. While the movie is being played, you can keep an eye on the children back and forth, and even take a break every now and then to catch some clips of the movie yourself too!