Gobble-Gobble Thank-You Turkeys

Children turn into farm turkeys that waddle, fan their tails, run and stretch their necks, then say “thank you” for something they like in a circle. It wakes up the body and connects to Thanksgiving.

How to play

1. Talk about how families get together on Thanksgiving to share a meal and say thanks; put on a tail by spreading your fingers behind your bottom (1 min).
2. The turkeys waddle around, rocking from foot to foot and saying “gobble-gobble” (1 min).
3. The turkeys fan their tails: arms spread wide, turn slowly in place, then close the tail (1 min).
4. The turkeys run around the farm and, on “Gobble!”, freeze and bob their heads forward and back (1 min).
5. In a circle, the teacher asks “Thankful for…?”; anyone who wants says something and everyone jumps with a “gobble-gobble” (1 min).
6. The turkeys sit together at the big circle table and take a breath (1 min).

Rules

• Each turkey runs in its own space.
• When we hear “Gobble!”, we freeze.
• Saying thanks is your choice; everyone does the jump.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the turkey rocks and fans its tail while seated and runs with a buddy pushing.
• Hearing loss: pair “Gobble!” with a hand beak opening and closing.
• Autism: in the circle, the child can say thanks by pointing to a picture or with a gesture.

Learning goals

• Warm up the body with traveling and stopping.
• Coordinate arms and legs in imitation moves.
• Learn about a holiday and express gratitude.

Teacher tip

Offer simple examples (“my dog,” “playing outside”) so no one freezes up. Not every family celebrates Thanksgiving, so keep it about feeling thankful rather than what’s on the table.

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