Thanksgiving Sorting Worksheet (Then and Now)

The Thanksgiving sorting worksheet gives kids a fun, hands-on way to learn about holiday traditions by sorting and categorizing items from the past and present.

This free printable Thanksgiving activity combines coloring, cutting, and sorting tasks, helping kids develop fine motor skills and a sense of how modern celebrations have evolved from the original Thanksgiving.

It’s a simple yet engaging addition to any lesson, encouraging curiosity about history through an interactive, creative project.

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Thanksgiving sorting practice – past and present

This two-page sorting activity invites kids to creatively explore how holiday traditions have evolved.

The printable includes two worksheet versions—one in black and white for coloring and a color version for easy sorting.

With 10 unique images to cut and sort, kids can place each item under “Thanksgiving Then” or “Thanksgiving Now,” developing an appreciation for how modern customs differ from early celebrations.

The images—such as a pilgrim hat, a modern car, a football, the Mayflower, a baseball cap, an oven, and a depiction of pilgrims and Native Americans sharing a meal—encourage kids to think critically about changes in lifestyle and culture.

Beyond historical context, this sorting activity blends fine motor practice with categorization skills, making it ideal for Thanksgiving lessons at home or in the classroom.

As kids color the black-and-white worksheet and decide where each image belongs, they engage in thoughtful analysis, exploring the differences in holiday traditions over time while adding a personal touch to their work.

Educational benefits

This printable Thanksgiving activity offers multiple educational benefits for young learners:

Coloring each image allows kids to personalize the activity, encouraging creativity while reinforcing their understanding of the Thanksgiving theme.

Engages children in exploring how Thanksgiving traditions have changed over time, giving them a glimpse into early customs compared to today’s celebrations.

Cutting and pasting images build fine motor skills, essential for tasks requiring precision and coordination.

By categorizing images as “Then” or “Now,” children practice analytical skills, examining historical context to decide where each item belongs.

Additional Thanksgiving printables

Explore these fall-themed printables to add even more learning fun to the holiday:

• History of Thanksgiving coloring sheets: Introduce kids to the holiday’s origins with coloring pages that feature the Mayflower, the first shared meal, and other early traditions.
• Thanksgiving I spy worksheet: A fun way to build observation skills as kids search for holiday items like turkeys and pies, counting them along the way.
• Thanksgiving counting worksheet: Reinforce counting skills by having kids tally pumpkins, corn, and other holiday icons.
• Thanksgiving graphing printable: Kids count themed items and plot them on a bar graph, practicing basic math and data skills with a holiday twist.

Books about Thanksgiving for kids

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to share stories that bring the holiday’s history to life. Here are some of our favorite Thanksgiving-themed books to deepen kids’ understanding:

• Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving: This story follows Squanto’s journey and his role in helping the Pilgrims survive their first winter. It provides a meaningful perspective on the origins of the holiday, highlighting themes of gratitude, resilience, and friendship.
• Sharing the Bread: Set in the 19th century, this beautifully illustrated book captures a family’s preparations and meal, celebrating the warmth of family and the joy of sharing.
• The Thanksgiving Story: This classic by Alice Dalgliesh recounts the Pilgrims’ journey to America, their challenges, and their first feast with the Wampanoag people. It gives young readers a historical look at the roots of the celebration, making it an ideal choice for learning about the holiday’s origins.

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