Thanksgiving

40+ Fun Thanksgiving Treats Your Kids Will Gobble Up

written by BRETT NICOLE HAYDEN
updated by PATTY SCHEPEL
thanksgiving treats"
thanksgiving treats
Source: i heart naptime
Source: i heart naptime

While other holidays often get more attention for their kid-friendly features, there’s something very special about Thanskgiving. It’s a time of year where we’re encouraged to take a step back and reflect on all of the things that make us fortunate in life. And, it’s the perfect chance to model this mindfulness for our children, as well.

As the seasons continue to change and it starts to feel like things are slowing down a bit, it’s the perfect time to gather and spend time with loved ones. You don’t have to wait for Thanksgiving dinner to engage in some quality time with your little ones, though. Now’s the perfect time to make some new memories, and we can’t think of a better way to do just that than an afternoon in the kitchen making yummy Thanksgiving treats to share.

If you can’t think of the perfect treat, don’t worry. We’ve complied a list of the best festive Thanksgiving treats that we know your little turkeys will gobble up.

Thanksgiving Drinks

1. Thanksgiving Punch

Don’t worry, this Thanksgiving punch can be served without alcohol to make it kid friendly. Not only is it a delicious drink, but it will make your whole house smell like fall.

thanksgiving treats punch
Source: The Salty Marshmallow

2. Apple Cider Floats

This recipe takes root beer floats to a whole new level—and we are here for it!

thanksgiving treats Apple Cider Floats
Source: Grandbaby Cakes

3. Three-Ingredient Caramel Apple Cider

When you work up a thirst from baking Thanksgiving pies, whip up this three-ingredient caramel apple cider for everyone to share.

thanksgiving treats
Source: i heart naptime

4. Homemade Hot Chocolate

It’s time to face it—it’s starting to get chillier out. When the weather cools off, my favorite way to keep my hands warm is to never be too far away from a cup of hot chocolate.

thanksgiving treats homemade hot chocolate
Source: Celebrating Sweets

Sweet Thanksgiving Treats

5. Apple Pecan Bread

Any form of a sweet bread is one of my favorite treats because it can be eaten at any time of the day. Breakfast or dessert? Take your pick.

thanksgiving treats apple pecan bread
Source: The Movement Menu

6. Pecan Caramel Cheesecake Bars

Cheesecake in bar form is the best. Make sure you get a bite because it won’t last long.

thanksgiving treats cheesecake bites
Source: The Movement Menu

7. Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispie Treats

Rice Krispie treats happen to be one of my favorite treats from my childhood. I guarantee if my mom and I had put together this pumpkin pie version back in the day, it wouldn’t have lasted longer than a few hours.

thanksgiving treats
Source: Just a Taste

8. Maple Brown Sugar Cookies

Though apple and pumpkin are the Crown Jewels of the season, let’s not forget about another delicious fall flavor: maple.

thanksgiving treats
Source: Sally’s Baking Addiction

9. Sweet Potato Casserole Bites

These sweet potato casserole bites are so cute and yummy. It’s easy to go back for seconds!

thanksgiving treats sweet potato bites
Source: Basil + Bubbly

10. Chocolate Lasagna

Just when I thought nothing could ever top actual lasagna, this curve ball of a recipe shows up. Layers of chocolate? I’m sold!

thanksgiving treats
Source: Best Friends for Frosting

11. Pumpkin Cheesecake Overnight Oats in a Jar

Pumpkin cheesecake for breakfast? Sign me up. The natural sweet flavors like maple syrup and vanilla greek yogurt will make this a go-to in my household.

thanksgiving treats pumpkin cheesecake oats
Source: With Salt & Wit

12. Turkey Treat Bags

How cute are these turkey treat bags?! Not only will your little ones love to eat them, they’ll have fun putting them together too.

thanksgiving treats
Source: A Little Pinch of Perfect

13. Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow

This is the autumnal spin on one of my favorite sweet treats that I never knew I needed but couldn’t be happier that it exists.

thanksgiving treats
Source: Sally’s Baking Addiction

14. No-Bake Salted Caramel Pumpkin Bars

There’s nothing better than when a recipe starts out with the words “no-bake.” I know I’ll be whipping these up fast as an after school treat. It’s an easy treat to repeat throughout the week.

thanksgiving treats caramel pumpkin bears
Source: With Salt & Wit

15. Pecan Pie Bars

Love pie but want to switch it up a bit? Try these decadent pecan pie bars that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

thanksgiving treats
Source: Gluesticks Blog

16. Cranberry Orange Gluten Free Biscotti

Your kids will love to pair these biscottis with their hot cocoa this season. Cheers!

thanksgiving treats biscotti
Source: A Saucy Kitchen

17. Nutter Butter Turkey Cookies

When a treat is as fun as it is tasty, I’m hooked. These nutter butter turkey cookies are simply too cute to pass up and a perfect way to celebrate the holiday.

thanksgiving treats
Source: i heart naptime

18. Easy Apple Pie Bites

When you don’t want to make a whole pie but have a hankering for the flavor, these simple apple pie bites will be perfect.

thanksgiving treats
Source: Best Friends for Frosting

19. Easy Pumpkin Ice Cream

Ice cream is appropriate all times of the year, even when it’s chilly outside. Make it extra festive at home by making this easy pumpkin ice cream recipe.

thanksgiving treats
Source: Brown Sugar

20. Apple Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Frosting

There’s not much that’s more fun to make together as a family than cupcakes, and this recipe is perfect for this time of year. Your little ones will be arguing over who gets to lick the bowl!

thanksgiving treats
Source: A Classic Twist

21. Sweet Potato Biscuits with Marshmallow Icing

Have these sweet potato biscuits as a side with your dinner this Thanksgiving. It’s a creative twist to the classic bread roll.

thanksgiving treats biscuits
Source: Girl vs. Dough

22. Turkey Oreo Balls

If you or your little ones are a fan of the sandwich cookie like me, Oreo balls don’t even need to look this cute for me to want to gobble them up, it’s just an added bonus.

thanksgiving treats
Source: i heart naptime

23. Mini Pumpkin Bundt Cakes

We can’t get over how adorable these mini bundt cakes are and we’re even more impressed by the taste!

thanksgiving treats
Source: Gluesticks Blog

24. Chocolate Covered Pretzel Pumpkins

This recipe doesn’t just turn out adorably, it’s also super simple and one that everyone will have fun making together.

thanksgiving treats
Source: i heart naptime

25. Homemade Pumpkin Pie Pudding

In my opinion, pudding is one of the most underrated treats. It’s simple and delicious, and this pumpkin pie version takes it to the next level.

thanksgiving treats pumpkin pie pudding
Source: Bless This Mess

26. Brown Butter Pecan Cookies

I know this isn’t possible, but I can practically taste these cookies melting in my mouth just by looking at them, and that’s enough for me to give them a try.

thanksgiving treats brown butter pecan cookies
Source: Baker by Nature

27. Pumpkin Cake

Sometimes we’re just in the mood for cake. This pumpkin cake is perfect for the season and will leave your taste buds fully satisfied.

thanksgiving treats pumpkin cake
Source: Sally’s Baking Recipes

28. Baked Apple Empanadas

Honeycrisp apples, cinnamon, vanilla, and more fall ingredients come together in these warm, delicious empanadas. 

thanksgiving treats
Source: Isabel Eats

29. Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

Who needs store-bought Thanksgiving treats! Make everyone’s favorite sugar cookies from scratch at home with this delicious recipe.

thanksgiving treats pumpkin sugar cookies
Source: Sugar Spun Run

30. Dutch Apple Cookies

Beware: once you bake these you won’t be able to stop eating them. But we promise, these yummy Thanksgiving treats are worth every calorie.

thanksgiving treats dutch apple pie cookies
Source: Lovely Little Kitchen

31. Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

Think Ritz Bits peanut butter sandwiches, but replaced with pretzels and peanut butter that’s actually creamy, all coated in yummy chocolate. You’re left with bite-sized mouthfuls of joy that won’t disappoint. Swap in an alternative creamy filling for a nut-free option!

thanksgiving treats
Source: Cooking Classy

32. Chocolate Caramel Apple Bark

Homemade caramel sauce meets silky chocolate, salty pretzels, and sweet-tart juicy apples in this rather healthy rendition of holiday bark. The flavorful variety of so many tastes at once makes it hard to stop eating. Garnish it with some colorful sprinkles for an extra fun Thanksgiving treat!

thanksgiving treats
Source: Rachel Mansfield

What kiddo doesn’t jump at the chance to eat spoonfuls of cookie dough batter before it has made its way to the oven? This pumpkin cookie dough dip recipe doesn’t let raw eggs ruin the delight of diving right into the batter! Makes a great pairing with apple slices and cinnamon sugar pita chips.

thanksgiving treats
Source: MOMables

34. Caramel Apple Trifles

For delightful parfaits that slip in a serving of fruit, try this layered cinnamon treat. It combines brown sugar and cinnamon-spun apples, cinnamon granola, and fresh cinnamon whipped cream. Kids will love having a helping hand in the whipping cream process, witnessing the cream transform into its cloud-like final result.

thanksgiving treats
Source: Life, Love and Sugar

35. Turkey Fruit Plate

For when you’ve all indulged in enough sugary, creamy treats, try creating this colorful and elaborate fruit plate, arranged into the appearance of a turkey thanks to the Bosc pear for the turkey’s body!

thanksgiving treats
Source: One Lovely Life

36. Roly Poly Pumpkin Cookies

Got kiddos who appreciate the pumpkin cheer of the season, but can’t stand the taste? This is the perfect frosted sugar cookie recipe that showcases pumpkin in appearance only! To make these Thanksgiving treats extra kid-friendly, invite them to join in the frosting decorating process and to sprinkle some of their favorite candies on top.

thanksgiving treats
Source: Half-Baked Harvest

Savory Thanksgiving Treats

37. Fall Charcuterie Board

This kid-friendly fall charcuterie is such a fun idea to put together and snack on with your little ones. Put this together before throwing on one of your family’s favorite movies and you’re in for the perfect night.

thanksgiving treats fall charcuterie board
Source: i heart naptime

38. Fall Chex Mix

Mix things up your next family movie night by swapping the same old popcorn with this seasonal Chex Mix treat. We wouldn’t be surprised if it’s gone before the opening credits are complete.

thanksgiving treats
Source: Brown Sugar

39. Caramel Apple Popcorn Bars

When sweet and salty flavors are combined it’s almost always a wonderful combination. These caramel apple popcorn bars bring the best of both worlds together in perfect harmony.

caramel apple popcorn bars
Source: A Classic Twist

40. Thanksgiving Blessing Mix

A DIY snack mix that incorporates a dimension of gratitude that’s very ’tis the season. While this food blogger includes a free printable of blessings, you can certainly change up this mix’s ingredients and come up with your own recipe of blessings! 

thanksgiving treats thanksgiving treats
Source: i heart naptime

41. Potato Cheese Balls

What’s Thanksgiving if it doesn’t have potatoes? But this time, spice it up with some potato cheese balls. Your family will be asking you for the recipe.

thanksgiving treats potato cheese balls
Source: Precious Core
brett nicole hayden
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brett Nicole Hayden, Assistant Editor

As the Assistant Editor, Brett works with the editors of The Everymom on the content creation process by updating stories, sourcing images and graphics, and pitching and contributing her own articles. Her favorite topics to write about are culture, relationships, and living. She’s also The Everymom’s resident baby names and family movies expert!

patty schepel the everymom editorial intern
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Patty Schepel, Editorial Intern

As the editorial intern, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.