• For many people, Thanksgiving is not only when they have time off, but when they choose to have time with their family. Children and adults of all ages gather together at the dinner table to enjoy a meal. Make any Thanksgiving celebration special for the children in your life by creating a separate and fun meal designed just for them. Serve a meal they can help prepare with items they can decorate to their own tastes.
  
  

Carved Pumpkin Soup Bowls

• Soup is often served as part of a Thanksgiving meal. Create a special bowl out of a pumpkin for your homemade clam chowder or lobster bisque. Start by helping your child slice off the top of several small pumpkins. Pull out the seeds carefully and make sure there are no seeds left. Wash and pat dry the interior of the pumpkin. Have your child and his or her friends lightly cut a design into the front of the pumpkin about a quarter of an inch deep. Ladle a cup of soup into each bowl for an amusing first course.
  
  

Turkey Pot Pies

• Younger kids may find a large turkey daunting to eat. Create a main course just for them. Pot pies are ideal for kids who like the idea of combining turkey and pie. Purchase several small metal pie tins. Line each tin with a sheet of pastry and fill the tin with a mixture of chopped turkey, vegetables and a white sauce. Top with a sheet of pastry and bake until golden brown. Let each child decorate the top of the pie with slices of cut-up vegetables.
  
  

Mashed Potato Turkeys

• Make mashed potatoes. Hand out small cookie cutters in the shape of turkeys and let the children cut turkey shapes out of the finished mashed potatoes. They can decorate the mashed potatoes with gravy on the top of the potatoes. Give out small pieces of red and yellow peppers so they can decorate the wings of the turkeys.
  
  

Edible Leaves

• Pay homage to the colorful leaves outside with a fun dessert project. Make sugar cookie dough and have the kids press the dough into leaf shapes. Let them top the cookies with red, orange and yellow food coloring so the finished results will resemble leaves. Bake until done. Serve at the end of the meal.