How to Celebrate Thanksgiving Break With Your Kids With a Native American Dinner

Develop a tradition with your child this Thanksgiving that I've shared with my children for many years. Each year, the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving is designated Native American Dinner night. My kids love it, and it is important to us, since I am part Cherokee. Whether or not you are native American, this is a fun tradition to start. Let the kids help you research, plan and prepare the meal.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Announce to your children that you want to make a native American traditional meal for the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. Ask them to help research, plan, and prepare the meal with you. Start by reasearching what native Americans ate, and what types of foods were available to them. Find some native American recipes online to try.

2. Let your kids go to the store with you to buy the ingredients and help prepare the meal together. We usually include corn bread cakes and pinto beans. If you have access to buffalo or deer meats or jerky, include them. Smoked or roasted salmon is also a great main dish to try. Berries and other fruits make great desserts. Discuss the foods you have chosen, and how the native American people would have prepared them as you cook.

3. Say a special prayer or make a speech over the food before you eat. Whatever you choose to do, this will become part of the tradition that you will do each year. Your kids could dress up as native Americans if they would like.
   
   Forming family traditions build fond, irreplaceable memories for kids to remember as they grow. Your child will always remember the little things you do together each year, and many of them will probably make their way into your child's home when he or she grows up.

[taskeinc]

on 10/21/2008 Solid idea, promotes togetherness and a true reason for giving thanks ..