Guest Author - Susan Thompson

There have been quite a few site searches for children’s songs and Thanksgiving. I have compiled a few children’s favorite poems and songs you can teach to your children.
Five Little Turkeys (Poem, but you can sing it also)
Five little turkeys standing at the door,
one waddled off, and then there were four.
Four little turkeys sitting near a tree,
one waddled off, and then there were three.
Three little turkeys with nothing to do,
one waddled off, and then there were two.
Two little turkeys in the morning sun,
one waddled off, and then there was one.
One little turkey better run away,
for soon it will be Thanksgiving Day.

The First Thanksgiving (To the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle”)
Pick the corn and pick the beans,
Pick the squash and other greens
it is harvest time you see
Come and share a feast with me.
Bring your family out to play;
we’ll call this Thanksgiving Day

Did You Ever See A Turkey (To the tune of “Have You Ever Seen a Lasse)
Did you ever see a turkey a turkey a turkey
Did you ever see a turkey go this way and that
Go this way and that way and this way and that way
Did you ever see a turkey go this way and that?

Mr. Turkey (to the tune of “Where is Thumkin” or “Frere Jacque)
Mr. Turkey, Mr. Turkey
Run away, Run away
if you don't be careful
you will be a mouthful
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day


This old classic is fun to act out. Have the children help you make up motions to go along with the song.
Over The River
Over the river and through the wood
To Grandfather's house we go.
The horse knows the way
to carry the sleigh
through white and drifted snow.

Over the river and through the wood --
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes
and bites the nose,
as over the ground we go.

Over the river and through the wood
to have a first-rate play.
Hear the bells ring,
Ting-a-ling-ling!
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!
Over the river and through the wood,
Trot fast, my dapple gray!
Spring over the ground
like a hunting hound,
for this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river and through the wood,
and straight through the barnyard gate.
We seem to go
extremely slow --
It is so hard to wait!

Over the river and through the wood --
Now Grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurrah for fun!
Is the pudding done?
Hurray for the pumpkin pie!

Have fun singing these with your kids, and let them show off their songs to the grandparents on Thanksgiving!