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When fall arrives and Thanksgiving is on the horizon, many families start thinking about Friendsgiving. Unlike the traditional holiday meal that often revolves around extended family, Friendsgiving is about gathering with friends—sometimes with kids in tow—to share food, gratitude, and community.
But let’s be honest: hosting a house full of adults and children can feel daunting. Between the food, the mess, and the noise, the idea may feel more stressful than joyful. The good news is that with a little planning, Friendsgiving can be both kid-friendly and chaos-free. The key is designing the day with connection and flexibility in mind, so everyone—kids and adults alike—feels included.
Here are practical strategies to make your Friendsgiving festive and fun without overwhelming yourself.
START WITH THE SPIRIT OF FRIENDSGIVING
Friendsgiving is less about the perfect table setting and more about creating space for community. Unlike traditional holiday gatherings, there’s no set expectation; it can be as formal or as casual as you choose. Some hosts opt for paper plates and buffet lines; others prefer sit-down meals. Both can work.
What matters most is keeping the focus on gratitude and togetherness. Setting this tone helps relieve pressure and reminds guests that the day is about connection, not comparison.
KEEP THE MENU SIMPLE (AND SHARE THE LOAD)
Food may be the centerpiece of the day, but that doesn’t mean you need to do all the heavy lifting.
Potluck Style Works Best: Assign broad categories like “main dish,” “side dish,” or “dessert,” and let guests fill in the details. This ensures variety without overwhelming the host.
Kid-Friendly Options: Make sure there are a few simple, familiar foods for younger guests. Mac and cheese, fruit skewers, or small rolls often go over better than fancier dishes.
Snack Station: Set out a tray with cheese cubes, crackers, grapes, and pretzels. Having snacks ready keeps kids from getting hungry and cranky while waiting for the main meal.
Flexible Main Dish: Don’t feel locked into roasting a turkey. Friendsgiving doesn’t have rules—rotisserie chickens, pulled pork, or a big pot of chili can anchor the meal just as well.
SET UP KID ZONES
One of the best ways to keep Friendsgiving manageable is to give kids intentional spaces to enjoy themselves. This ensures they are having fun, and it gives the adults a little space to connect with one another.
Craft Corner: Provide crayons, markers, stickers, and paper. Seasonal crafts like decorating paper leaves with “thankful for…” notes or coloring placemats add a festive touch.
Play Space: A basket of building blocks, puzzles, or board games helps kids of different ages find something to do.
Movie Zone: A quiet corner with blankets, pillows, and a family-friendly movie running in the background can give kids (and parents) a needed break. As the night goes on, it can be a great place for little ones who need to rest, too.
Older kids can help supervise younger ones in these spaces, giving them a sense of responsibility and keeping the atmosphere calmer.
INVOLVE KIDS IN THE CELEBRATION
When kids feel like part of the event, they’re less likely to be restless. Friendsgiving is a perfect opportunity to involve them in age-appropriate ways.
Gratitude Ritual: Ask each guest—children included—to share something they’re thankful for before the meal. Kids who can’t write yet can draw their answer on a card for a “gratitude tree.”
Helper Roles: Assign kids small jobs like placing napkins at the table, stirring ingredients, or passing out dessert plates.
Special Seating: Consider a kids’ table. Cover it with butcher paper and provide crayons so they can doodle between bites.
Small touches like these help kids feel engaged and valued.
MANAGE THE CHAOS WITH SMART TIMING
Children thrive on routine, and hosting a kid-friendly Friendsgiving means keeping that in mind.
Start Early: Afternoon gatherings work well. Starting at 2 or 3 p.m. means kids aren’t overtired, and families can head home before bedtime.
Build in Breaks: Plan for some downtime between the main meal and dessert. Kids can play outside, watch a movie, or do a craft while adults tidy up and reset.
Keep It Short: Three to four hours is usually the sweet spot. It allows time for eating, talking, and playing without stretching kids’ patience too thin.
This approach balances fun with family needs and helps prevent meltdowns.
BALANCE TRADITIONS AND FLEXIBILITY
Part of the charm of Friendsgiving is its flexibility, but a few simple traditions can make the day memorable without overwhelming anyone.
Here are some easy traditions families can incorporate:
Thankful tablecloth: Use a plain tablecloth and provide fabric markers for everyone to write what they’re grateful for each year.
Recipe Swap: Invite guests to bring recipe cards for their dish so families can take home new favorites.
Kids’ Parade: Hand kids paper hats or scarves and let them parade around before dessert.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s creating rituals that bring people together year after year.
TAME THE MESS BEFORE IT STARTS
A house full of guests can get messy quickly, but a little preparation can help. One key element is accepting help. Don’t dismiss offers for people to help with cleanup. It’s another way you can connect, and it makes your life easier later on.
Eco-Friendly Tableware: Compostable plates, cups, and utensils save time on cleanup.
Laundry Basket Trick: Keep a basket handy to collect stray toys and clutter before guests arrive.
Disposable Table Covers: Cover kids’ tables with butcher paper or disposable cloths for easier cleanup after crafts and meals.
Cleanup will still take effort, but these steps make it faster and less stressful.
WHY IT’S WORTH IT
Friendsgiving can feel like extra work, especially when kids are involved. But when parents build a gathering that is simple, flexible, and fun, kids get the chance to see friendship and gratitude lived out in community.
For children, the memories of laughing with friends, sharing food, and feeling included often last far longer than any perfectly set table or gourmet dish. For parents, the reward comes in seeing kids play happily while adults enjoy a chance to connect.
Hosting a kid-friendly Friendsgiving may not be perfectly quiet or mess-free, but it can be warm, joyful, and deeply meaningful—exactly what the season of gratitude is meant to be.
Rebecca Hastings is a former elementary teacher who traded the classroom for writing when she stayed home with her three children. Passionate about authenticity, faith, and family, you can find her at RebeccaHastings.net and on Amazon. In real life, she can often be found typing words, driving her kids places, or wherever there is chocolate.