15 Thanksgiving Poems That Rhyme for Kids
Looking for Thanksgiving poems that rhyme? These 15 sweet, silly, and heartfelt Thanksgiving poems for kids are fun to read aloud at home, share around the Thanksgiving table, or use in preschool and elementary classrooms. You’ll also find short rhymes that are perfect for lunchbox notes and homemade cards.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite excuses to slow down, gather around the table, and notice the little things we’re grateful for. And when you’ve got young kids, a funny turkey poem or a short rhyme can make those moments feel extra special.
Whether you’re looking for a silly Thanksgiving turkey poem for a preschool circle time, a short verse for first graders to read aloud, or a meaningful poem to share at Thanksgiving dinner, I hope you find a favorite here. Some are laugh-out-loud goofy, and others are all about family, gratitude, and the small things that make the holiday memorable.
These Thanksgiving poems work for little kids, early readers, and family gatherings. If your kids are curious about the holiday itself, you can also read my story of Thanksgiving for kids together before picking a poem to share.
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15 Thanksgiving Poems that Rhyme
As a mom of three, I wanted a collection of Thanksgiving poems that rhyme and actually feel fun to share with young children. I wrote these verses for Mimosas & Motherhood®, with a few playful nods to classic poets and holiday traditions. They’re meant to be read aloud, laughed over, and enjoyed together. If you share one, please credit Mimosas & Motherhood and link back to this page.
Planning a little more Thanksgiving fun? My 50 Thanksgiving family activities are full of easy ways to spend time together, and these Thanksgiving crafts for toddlers are great for little hands. If your family loves games, try my Thanksgiving trivia questions for kids, too!
1. Gobble Gobble Giggles by Siobhan Alvarez-Borland
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.
A silly turkey poem for preschoolers or kindergarteners. Try reading it aloud together and letting the kids join in on every “gobble gobble!”
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!
A sweet choice for early readers to practice rhyming words and talk about what makes them thankful.
4. 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.
5. 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.
A funny one for reading aloud when Thanksgiving dinner gets a little chaotic (because it always does!).
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!
Have kids clap the rhythm or make up a goofy Thanksgiving dinner soundtrack as you read.
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.”
A fun turkey poem for first graders and second graders to read aloud or act out together. Cute to pair with a Thanksgiving craft, like this printable handprint turkey keepsake poem.
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.
Try this one with older readers when talking about gratitude, harvest traditions, and the language poets use to describe a season.
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.
Short and sweet for preschoolers, homemade Thanksgiving cards, or a family read-aloud.
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 (or pair with your favorite little poem or other good things in the lead up to turkey day):
🦃 “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.
Easy Ways to Use Thanksgiving Poems With Kids
A few easy ways to use these holiday poems at home or in the classroom:
- 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 to inspire a thankful heart.
- Use this post as a starting place for discovering other inspirational Thanksgiving poems, like those by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Ella Wheeler Wilcox or Robert Herrick.
- Study poetic techniques or for young readers to use as inspiration creating their own Thanksgiving prayer for when you give thanks.
Whether you read a silly turkey poem over breakfast (wiggle fingers for the turkeys!), slip a little rhyme into a lunchbox, or ask everyone to share a favorite at the Thanksgiving table, I hope these poems bring a little more laughter and connection to your holiday.
Looking for even more Thanksgiving fun with kids? Keep the laughter going with these 75 funny Thanksgiving riddles for kids or get everyone talking with our Thanksgiving Would You Rather questions. And if you’re looking for a meaningful way to practice gratitude together, check out this list of 65 non-perishable foods for a Thanksgiving food drive and get the kids involved in giving back this holiday season!
If you’re planning more Thanksgiving fun with kids, explore the family activities, crafts, and trivia linked above. Which of these turkey poems are your favorite? Happy Thanksgiving holiday from our family to yours!
