15 Thanksgiving Poems That Rhyme: Silly and Sweet Verses for Kids and Families
Looking for sweet and silly Thanksgiving poems that rhyme? Discover 15 family-friendly verses perfect for kids, lesson plans, and sharing around the Thanksgiving table.
Thanksgiving is more than turkey and pumpkin pie. It’s also the perfect time to gather with loved ones, slow down, and reflect on the small things that bring us joy. And what better way to do that than with a collection of Thanksgiving poems that rhyme (especially if you have little kids)?
Whether you’re looking for something sweet to share at the Thanksgiving table, a silly poem for a classroom lesson plan or a heartfelt verse for a homemade card, this list is packed with fun, family-friendly options. From the whimsical to the meaningful Thanksgiving poem, these verses capture the heart (and humor!) of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Perfect for celebrating with preschoolers or kindergarteners, and even older kiddos, or even a playful read-aloud after Thanksgiving dinner, these poems will bring a smile to young people, teachers and dear friends alike.
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15 Thanksgiving Poems that Rhyme
As a mom of three, I couldn’t find enough cute Thanksgiving poems for this age… so I created my own. Unless otherwise noted, of these Thanksgiving poems that rhyme are original to Mimosas & Motherhood; if you love any of them, please share to inspire other parents (but be sure to mention where you found them, too).
1. Gobble Gobble Giggles
Gobble gobble gobbles,
That’s the turkey’s tune,
He struts around the backyard,
Singing “dinner’s coming soon!”
His red snood bobs so proudly,
He’s quite the funny bird,
But when he hears the oven click,
He doesn’t say a word.
This silly classic is a hit with little children and perfect for fluency practice and creative writing prompts!
2. At Grandfather’s House by Siobhan Alvarez-Borland
Over the hills to grandfather’s house,
Through wind and falling snow,
We carry pie and cranberry sauce,
With cheeks all aglow.
The harvest moon is rising high,
Our boots are full of leaves,
The turkey’s warm, the cider sweet—
It’s Thanksgiving Eve!
A playful homage to Lydia Maria Child’s “Over the River,” this short poem brings back memories of old-fashioned holidays. Pair it with visual arts or graphic arts crafts inspired by vintage Thanksgivings.
3. A Slice of Thanks by Siobhan Alvarez-Borland
I’m thankful for my cozy bed,
My pillow and my toes,
I’m thankful for warm sweaters
And for frosting on my nose.
I’m thankful for my pumpkin pie,
My family, and my pup—
And most of all I’m grateful
For when they let me stay up!
Great for close reading and sight words in early literacy classrooms.
4. Turkey Time Tangle by Siobhan Alvarez-Borland
The turkey wore a tutu,
The mashed potatoes flew—
Aunt Sally spilled the gravy,
And the dog barked “WOO-HOO!”
The tablecloth’s a canvas,
Our feast a work of art—
Thanksgiving’s not quite perfect,
But it’s full of messy heart.
Use this for graphic arts or occupational therapy lessons with food art or themed table decorations.
5. Tis Nature’s Call (Inspired by Emily Dickinson)
The corn is husked, the fields laid bare,
The geese are flying fast—
Tis nature’s call to gather close
Before the cold has passed.
The orchard sleeps, the clouds roll on,
The trees let go their gold—
A whispered hush of thankfulness
Beneath the season’s fold.
A more poetic option for middle school or high school students—perfect for a discussion of rhythm and seasonal symbolism.
6. The Loudest String by Siobhan Alvarez-Borland
I sang so loud at dinner,
My mashed potatoes flew,
My cousin plucked the gravy boat
And strummed it like a kazoo.
My uncle played the turkey leg,
My sister shook the beans—
Our Thanksgiving Day was musical,
A feast of loud routines!
Great for pairing with vocal music or a physical education “Thanksgiving band” activity.
7. The Last Slice (A Thanksgiving Dilemma) by Siobhan Alvarez-Borland
Who gets the final slice of pie?
Grandma says “Don’t ask me why,”
Uncle Joe points at the cat,
But we all know she’s not up for that.
A stare-off starts at dining room’s end—
Cousins, siblings, dear friends—
We settle it with paper and pen…
“Rock, paper, scissors.” Pie win!
8. A Poem Inspired by Edgar Albert Guest
“Thanksgiving’s not just turkey,”
Said Edgar Albert Guest,
“It’s hugs and jokes and caring,
And always doing your best.”
So I help set the table,
I share my favorite toy—
Thankfulness lives in small things,
That spark the truest joy.
9. Wild Turkeys Run by Siobhan Alvarez-Borland
Wild turkeys in the forest,
Marching one by one,
“We’ll dodge that oven’s shadow,”
“We’ll hide until it’s done!”
They waddle through the orchard,
They sneak behind the shed,
They whisper in a turkey huddle:
“Pretend we all are bread.”
Great for adding Thanksgiving fun to 1st grade or 2nd grade social studies lessons about animal behavior.
10. Thanksgiving Table (Inspired by Richard Blanco)
The Thanksgiving table stretches wide,
With food and stories served with pride.
Delicious food, a delicious meal,
But deeper still the thanks we feel.
The hands we hold, the eyes that shine,
The jokes we tell, the songs, the wine—
For young people, elders, pets, and plants,
Today we give the world our thanks.
11. The Gravy Boat Parade by Siobhan Alvarez-Borland
The peas are marching two by two,
The carrots dance in line,
The mashed potatoes wave hello—
“This dinner sure is fine!”
The gravy boat floats proudly past,
Like Macy’s down the street,
It sails atop the tablecloth—
With turkey for its fleet.
We cheer and clap, our forks held high,
For dishes big and small,
This Thanksgiving parade of food
Might be the best of all!
Silly and sweet—a crowd-pleaser with littles!
12. Laughter of the Gleaner (Homage to Harriet Maxwell Converse)
With worn matron smiles, and baskets in hand,
They harvest the fields from east land to sand.
The laughter of the gleaner is quiet, yet strong,
A hymn for the harvest, a whispered song.
Native Americans, farmers, and kin,
A merry harvest before winter sets in.
The spirit of the season is found on this day—
In sharing and sowing, in giving away.
Ideal for more thoughtful moments during homeschool or classroom close reading activities.
13. Little Child’s Thanks by Siobhan Alvarez-Borland
I’m not very tall,
Still working on polite,
I spill all my juice
And hate sleeping at night.
But today I am thankful
For mashed sweet potatoes,
And that Mommy still kisses
My icky old toes.
Great for pre-K and homemade Thanksgiving cards.
14. Pumpkin Pie Smiles by Siobhan Alvarez-Borland
A giggle, a gobble, a grateful “Hooray!”
I hope you have fun this Thanksgiving Day.
With pumpkin pie smiles and laughter so bright,
You make every table feel just right.
15. Alberto Ríos-Inspired: “The World Ends in Gratitude”
Not in fire, not in rain,
Not in thunder, loss, or pain—
But in cranberry sauce and open arms,
In warm reminders, in simple charms.
The world ends in children’s cheers,
In bread passed down through 300 years,
In stories shared by those we miss—
In silent thanks and a grateful kiss.
You might also enjoy these Thanksgiving activities for kids:
- 50 Thanksgiving Family Activities to Make the Holiday Extra Special
- Easy Thanksgiving Crafts for Toddlers
- 50 Thanksgiving Trivia Questions for Kids (Fun + Educational!)
Mini Thanksgiving Poems for Lunchbox Notes
Looking for even more funny Thanksgiving poems? Here are mini rhymes you can tuck in lunchboxes leading up to Thanksgiving break:
🦃 “The turkey wore sneakers and ran down the hall,
He dodged all the guests and leapt over the wall.”
🥧 “The pie said ‘Pick me!’ and gave a big wink—
But when I looked closer, it started to stink!”
🍁 Leaves are falling, turkeys, too—
But nothing’s better than knowing you!
A heart so kind, a smile so true—
This note is to say I’m thankful for you.
Bonus Ideas for Using These Thanksgiving Poems That Rhyme
Here are some additional ways to incorporate these Thanksgiving poems that rhyme:
- Add to lesson plans in physical education, social studies, or graphic arts.
- Use with vocal music programs as chant-style performances.
- Pair with a Halloween pumpkin for seasonal crossover fun.
- Share poems with folks of your choice at your holiday gathering.
These Thanksgiving poems that rhyme offer the perfect way to sprinkle joy, reflection, and laughter into your Thanksgiving holiday—whether you’re around the Thanksgiving table, in the classroom, or curled up with your kids after a delicious meal.
