Your little one’s first Thanksgiving is a big deal. You want to make it as enjoyable and as memorable as possible. Here are a few ideas to help you achieve this. 

Choosing A Festive Outfit

When choosing an outfit for your baby’s first Thanksgiving, the most important thing is to keep it simple. Here are a few other things to keep in mind: 

• Go for natural, breathable fabrics like cotton.
• Use layers to keep them warm in the chilly weather
• Avoid anything scratchy or rough like velcro, tags, and scratchy appliques
• While pilgrim outfits are a staple on Thanksgiving, make sure your baby’s is soft and comfortable on their skin
• You can keep things simple by just getting a pilgrim or turkey baby hat. 
• Customized onesies are also a great way to mark the occasion

Start A Unique Family Tradition

Your baby’s first Thanksgiving is the perfect time to start a new family tradition. Here are a few ideas: 

• Watch a Thanksgiving parade
• Watch Thanksgiving movies
• Collect Thanksgiving-themed stuffed animals or toys
• Love crafts? Try the classic turkey handprint tradition. It’s also a great way to track how much your little one’s hand has grown each Thanksgiving
• Donate to a non-profit organization or a local charity

Activities And Games

Every family get-together needs activities and games! They are a great way to keep everyone entertained, including your little one. Here are a few ideas: 

• Newborn To 3 Months

At this age, geometric shapes and high-contrast colors fascinate them. Keep them occupied with bright toys and mobiles when they are alert.  

• 3 To 6 Months

By around this age, your little one is starting to get more and more active. Incorporate floor time into their Thanksgiving routine to keep them entertained. A game of peek-a-boo with everyone in the family will also entertain them for hours. 

• 6 To 9 Months

Since babies are quite mobile at this age, set up a designated play area using a playpen. Since they are easily fascinated at this age, a magic show by one of the family members after Thanksgiving dinner will be riveting. 

• 9 To 12 Months

Let your little one walk around the house holding onto the hands of their grandparents, aunts, or uncles. They’ll also enjoy throwing games, rolling objects back and forth, and dropping items into a bucket. 

Thanksgiving Food Ideas

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you should exclusively breastfeed your baby until they are 6 months old. After that, the AAP recommends introducing one new food at a time so that you can keep an eye out for allergic reactions like vomiting and rashes. 

If your baby is ready for solid foods, a few Thanksgiving staples just for her wouldn’t hurt. Stay away from salt and other seasonings and prepare the baby’s food separately from everyone else’s meals. You can set aside unseasoned mashed sweet potatoes or peas for your little one to try at dinner with the family. Avoid foods like desserts with nuts, raw veggies, casseroles, and stuffing.

Older babies can have more variety. Just make sure they eat soft, well-done, diced food. Great options include mashed potatoes, turkey, pumpkin pie, bread, peas, and cranberry sauce. 

Final Thoughts

Thanksgiving should be fun and memorable, especially for your little one. The most important thing is to mark the day in your own unique way that will make it special for them. If you are lucky, you might even start a new family tradition!