20 Thanksgiving Poetry for Kids (with Vocabulary List)

1. “Thanksgiving” by Ivy O. Eastwick

Thank you for all my hands can hold —
Apples red and melons gold,
Little seeds to make new grain,
And the flowers after rain.
Thank you for every sort of food,
For roots and leaves and nuts and fruit,
For the warm sun and the air so sweet,
For the earth beneath my feet.

hold: to grasp or carry something with the hands

melon: a large, sweet fruit with a thick rind and juicy flesh

thankful: feeling or expressing gratitude

2. “The First Thanksgiving” by Aileen Fisher

When the Pilgrims came across the sea,
They brought along their liberty.
They wanted freedom, brave and true,
And a fresh start for me and you.

They planted seeds and learned to share,
With Native friends who showed great care.
Together, in the autumn’s glow,
They had a feast, the winds did blow.

Thanksgiving’s here, a time to say,
Thank you for each happy day!

liberty: the state of being free within society

feast: a large meal, typically one celebrating a special event

autumn: the season between summer and winter when leaves fall

3. “A Thanksgiving Fable” by Oliver Herford

The turkey is a solemn bird,
Of such remarkable composure,
He’s been through quite a lot, I’m sure,
To keep his dignity assured.

When Thanksgiving Day is drawing near,
He acts as if he’s never feared,
Though deep inside he surely knows,
His fate on this day surely grows.

solemn: serious and dignified

composure: calmness of mind or manner, self-control

4. “Thanksgiving Day” by Lydia Maria Child

Over the river and through the wood,
To grandfather’s house we go;
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh
Through the 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.

sleigh: a vehicle on runners for traveling over snow or ice

whistle: a high-pitched sound made by forcing breath through pursed lips or a device

5. “I’m Thankful for the Earth” (Anonymous)

I’m thankful for the Earth so sweet,
I’m thankful for the food we eat,
I’m thankful for the friends I see,
I’m thankful for my family.

I’m thankful for the skies above,
I’m thankful for the ones I love,
I’m thankful for this happy day,
I’m thankful in every way!

thankful: expressing gratitude or thanks

friends: people one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection

family: a group consisting of parents and their children

6. “Five Little Turkeys” (Anonymous)

Five little turkeys standing at the door,
One waddled off, and then there were four.
Four little turkeys, soft and brown,
One waddled off and then there were three around.

Three little turkeys, all in a row,
One waddled off, and then there were two to show.
Two little turkeys, having some fun,
One waddled off, and then there was one.

One little turkey, happy and fat,
He waddled off and then there were none at that.

waddle: to walk with short steps, swaying from side to side

turkey: a large bird native to North America, often eaten at Thanksgiving

7. “Thanksgiving Time” by Langston Hughes

When the night winds whistle through the trees,
And blown leaves fall and scatter,
When frost begins to nip the breeze,
And pumpkins grow still fatter,

It’s Thanksgiving time again,
The time to pause and say—
How grateful I am for all my friends,
This bright Thanksgiving Day.

whistle: to make a high-pitched sound by forcing air through the lips

autumn: the season when leaves change color and fall

thankful: feeling or expressing gratitude

8. “Thank You” by Corrine Rockliffe

Thank you for the world so sweet,
Thank you for the food we eat,
Thank you for the birds that sing,
Thank you, God, for everything.

thank you: an expression of gratitude

world: the earth and all life upon it

food: substances consumed to provide nutritional support

9. “A Thanksgiving Dinner” by Maude M. Grant

Take a turkey, stuff it fat,
Some of this and some of that,
Put it all into the pan,
Cook it carefully, if you can.

Mash the potatoes, make the pies,
Bake the bread before your eyes.
Set the table, bring it in,
Now the feast is sure to begin!

stuff: to fill something tightly with material

feast: a large celebratory meal

dish: a particular variety or preparation of food

10. “The Turkey Shot Out of the Oven” by Jack Prelutsky

The turkey shot out of the oven
And rocketed into the air.
It bounced off the chandelier,
Then flew right out the door.

The gravy and the cranberry
Were caught up in the chase,
And the mashed potatoes got
All over the place!

turkey: a large bird often associated with Thanksgiving

oven: an enclosed compartment for cooking food by heat

gravy: a sauce made from meat juices

cranberry: a small, tart, red berry often served with turkey

11. “Thanksgiving” by Edgar Albert Guest

Gettin’ together to smile and rejoice,
And eatin’ and laughin’ with folks of your choice,
That’s what Thanksgiving is really about,
And not what the papers and preachers talk about.

rejoice: to feel or show great joy

gathering: a coming together of people

12. “We Give Thanks” (Anonymous)

For flowers that bloom about our feet,
For tender grass so fresh, so sweet,
For song of bird and hum of bee,
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.

flower: the colorful part of a plant that produces seeds

bee: an insect that gathers nectar and pollen

thanks: expressions of gratitude

13. “The Little Pilgrim” by Margaret Hillert

I’m a little Pilgrim
On Thanksgiving Day.
I’m thankful for the sunshine
And for my friends to play.
I’m thankful for my family,
And all the things they do.
I’m thankful for my blessings,
And I’m thankful for you.

pilgrim: a person who journeys for religious reasons

blessing: a beneficial thing for which one is grateful

14. “If Turkeys Thought” (Anonymous)

If turkeys thought, they’d run away
Before Thanksgiving Day.
They’d hide in forests deep and dark,
To dodge the hungry human’s bark.

turkey: a large bird native to North America

Thanksgiving Day: a holiday celebrated in November in the U.S. and Canada

hide: to conceal oneself

15. “I’m Thankful” by Jane Taylor

I’m thankful for my friends and toys,
And all the things that bring me joys.
I’m thankful for my happy home,
And all the places I can roam.

thankful: expressing gratitude

joy: great happiness

16. “Harvest Time” (Anonymous)

Leaves are falling, skies are gray,
Harvest time is here today.
Families gather, giving cheer,
Thanksgiving Day is drawing near.

harvest: the gathering of ripe crops

family: a group of related people

gather: to come together

17. “Prayer of Thanksgiving” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

morning: the early part of the day

rest: to relax or cease work

shelter: a place giving protection

18. “November” by John Updike

The stripped and shapely
Maple grieves,
Its leaves like the hands of
A murdered people
Claw the empty sky.

maple: a type of tree known for its colorful leaves in autumn

grieve: to feel deep sorrow

19. “Thanksgiving Alphabet” (Anonymous)

A is for apple pie, B is for beans,
C is for cranberries, whatever that means.
D is for dishes piled up high,
E is for eating more than a pie!

apple pie: a dessert made with apples baked in pastry

cranberry: a small red berry often served during Thanksgiving

beans: edible seeds of various plants

20. “Thanksgiving Day Parade” by Kenn Nesbitt

I love the Thanksgiving Parade,
With every balloon and band.
The marching bands and clowns,
And floats go hand in hand.

parade: a public procession celebrating a special day

balloon: a large inflatable object often seen in parades

band: a group of musicians

float: a decorated platform in a parade

Final Thoughts: 

Poetry brings the heart of Thanksgiving to life in a way that’s simple, sweet, and memorable. When kids recite rhymes about family meals, autumn leaves, or thankful hearts, they’re not just reading. They’re connecting emotionally, expanding language, and growing creatively.

Want more themed learning content like this? Check out WuKong Education’s language and writing programs: perfect for building vocabulary and reading fluency all year round.