Little hands. Grateful hearts.

20–30 minutes · paper project

A gratitude tree that grows all month

Gather: Scrap paper or cardstock, a large sheet or cereal-box panel, crayons, glue stick, child-appropriate scissors.

1. Make the tree. Draw a trunk with five or six branches on your large sheet. Tape it to a wall at a comfortable height or lay it on a table.
2. Prepare the leaves. Draw broad leaf shapes on scrap paper and cut them out. An adult can cut a stack first; younger children can decorate whole rectangles instead.
3. Name something specific. Write or dictate one detail: “Thank you for reading with me” or “I loved our walk.” A picture counts, and passing is always welcome.
4. Let it grow. Glue one leaf onto a branch after dinner. Add the date to the back of a few leaves you want to keep.
5. Turn thanks into care. Choose one leaf each week and act on it: call the person, share a drawing, or help with a task. Save favorite leaves in an envelope after Thanksgiving.

15–25 minutes · Thanksgiving table

Leaf place cards with a real thank-you

Gather: Paper, crayons or markers, glue stick, scissors, and a ruler if you have one.

1. Fold the stand. Cut a rectangle about 4 × 3 inches. Fold it in half across the short dimension so it stands like a small tent.
2. Add a leaf. Draw a broad leaf on another piece of paper, cut it out, and glue it to the front without covering the fold.
3. Make it personal. Write the guest’s name clearly. Inside, add one thing you appreciate about them; let children dictate their words.
4. Test the table. Stand the cards beside the plates, away from candles, hot serving dishes, and food. Press the fold again if a card tips over.
5. Give the keepsake. Invite guests to take their card home. Keep a few blanks for a last-minute guest or someone you want to remember.

20 minutes to make · one small act a day

A kindness countdown paper chain

Gather: Paper strips, washable markers, glue stick or tape. Skip staples for little hands.

1. Choose a manageable count. Make seven links for one week or 26 for November 1–26. One week is a complete project; you do not need a whole month.
2. Write realistic actions. Try “send a thank-you,” “ask what would help,” “return something borrowed,” “share a book,” and “pick up litter with an adult.”
3. Build the chain. Curl the first strip into a loop and glue the ends. Thread each new strip through the last loop before closing it.
4. Choose together. Open one link when you have time. Swap an action if it does not fit your energy, budget, or the other person’s wishes.
5. Carry kindness into Christmas. Keep the blank strips. In December add a gift of time, a toy-drive reminder, or a note to someone who may feel left out.

25–35 minutes · Christian family activity

A fruit-of-the-Spirit gratitude basket

Gather: A sheet of paper, nine paper fruit shapes or circles, crayons, scissors, glue stick, and a Bible if you wish.

1. Draw your basket. Draw a simple bowl or basket on the page. An adult can prepare the fruit shapes; no small beads or loose decorations are needed.
2. Name the nine qualities. Write one quality on each fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Read Galatians 5:22–23 together if you wish.
3. Add an everyday example. On the back, write or draw a way to practice it. Use the nine prompts below, or invite the family to suggest their own.
4. Practice one. Choose a fruit each morning or at dinner. Ask “How could we practice this today?” Let children point, draw, speak, or pass.
5. Reflect with grace. At the end of the day name one effort and one way to repair a hard moment. This is a conversation about growing in faith, not a behavior scorecard.

Fill a Thanksgiving box

Boca Helping Hands’ Thanksgiving Box Brigade lists the requested food items and drop-off instructions. Filled boxes are due November 16, 2026. Follow the current list so the donation is useful.

Give time at the food bank

Palm Beach County Food Bank lists volunteer opportunities for ages 14 and up; volunteers ages 14–16 need an accompanying guardian. Register for an available shift before going. Younger children can help an adult plan a collection using the organization’s current needs.

Make a boat-parade toy donation

The Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade and Boynton Beach parade list new, unwrapped toy collections. Check each organizer’s collection locations and deadlines before bringing toys.

Choose a no-cost kindness

Ask someone: “Would a call, an errand, or a little company help this week?” Offer one thing you can keep. Make space for someone spending the holiday alone, while respecting their answer.

Palm Beach Gardens · 2026-11-13 – 2026-11-14

Gardens Harvest & Holiday Bazaar

Friday 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Burns Road Community Center, 4404 Burns Road

Browse handmade gifts, decorations, art, and holiday treats from local makers. An easy November outing for craft inspiration and early gift shopping.

Free admission; purchases extra

All ages welcome. Vendor applications are closed.

West Palm Beach · 2026-11-20 – 2027-01-03

Zoo Lights at Palm Beach Zoo

Selected evenings; verify the date-specific calendar
Palm Beach Zoo, 1301 Summit Boulevard

Explore holiday lights, polar projections, and glowing nature-inspired paths. Choose an all-ages evening for families or a designated 21+ night for a date.

Ticketed; pricing and availability vary by date

Not every night operates. Opening night Nov. 20 is 5–9 p.m.; Thanksgiving Nov. 26 is listed 5–9 p.m. Dec. 3 is designated 21+.

Boca Raton · 2026-11-21

Boca Raton Holiday Tree Lighting

6–10 p.m.; tree lighting 7:30 p.m.
Mizner Park Amphitheater

Welcome the season with music, a craft station, holiday market, and Santa photo opportunities before the tree lights up.

Free event; food and purchases extra

The city says outside chairs are not allowed; chairs may be rented on site. Interior Mizner Park roads close at 5 p.m.

Palm Beach Gardens · 2026-11-26

The Champion Turkey Trot

7–9 a.m.
PGA National Resort, Champion Course, 400 Avenue of the Champions

Start Thanksgiving with a family 5K on the Champion Course. Runners and walkers are welcome.

Organizer lists free attendance; use its Reserve link

Reserve through the organizer's page and confirm remaining availability.

Delray Beach · 2026-12-01

Delray Beach 100-Foot Christmas Tree Lighting & Yuletide Festival

6–9 p.m.; tree lighting 7 p.m.
Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Avenue

See the landmark tree light up, then explore holiday shopping, food, music, and the seasonal village.

Tree walk-through is free; check fees for separate village attractions

Do not imply all village attractions are free. The city's complete village season schedule remains to be announced.

West Palm Beach · 2026-12-03

Holiday in Paradise: Sandi Tree Lighting

6–10 p.m.
West Palm Beach Waterfront, 100 N. Clematis Street

Celebrate by the waterfront as West Palm Beach illuminates Sandi, its sculpted sand holiday tree, with live entertainment and seasonal activities.

Free tree-lighting celebration; rides and purchases extra

The official city date is Dec. 3. Some secondary sites incorrectly say Dec. 4.

Palm Beach Gardens · 2026-12-05

Palm Beach Gardens Tree Lighting

4–8 p.m.; tree lighting 5:45 p.m.
Gardens North County District Park, 5101 117th Court N.

Enjoy a family evening with seasonal activities, a synthetic ice rink, music, and Santa's arrival before the city tree lighting.

Free community event; food purchases extra

The same-day Trailblazer races are separate registration events, not included free race entries.

North Palm Beach to Jupiter · 2026-12-05

Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade & Toy Drive

Starts 6 p.m.; reaches Jupiter approximately 8 p.m.
Intracoastal Waterway, North Palm Beach to Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse

Watch decorated boats travel north along the Intracoastal and bring a new, unwrapped toy to support Toys for Tots and Little Smiles.

Public viewing options available; private venue costs vary

Use the organizer's viewing map. Arrival times and bridge openings are approximate; fireworks are part of the event.

Boynton Beach · 2026-12-11

Boynton Beach Holiday Boat Parade

6–9 p.m.; boats expected to begin southbound travel around 6:30 p.m.
Official watch location: Boynton Harbor Marina, 735 Casa Loma Boulevard

Enjoy an evening of illuminated boats, holiday music, and family activities at the marina. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots collection.

See organizer for current attendance details; food and beverages for purchase

Route runs from Lantana toward the C-15 Canal in Delray Beach; exact local arrival depends on parade progress.

Fort Lauderdale · 2026-12-12

Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade

Preshow 5:30 p.m.; parade and fireworks 6 p.m.
Fort Lauderdale waterways; select a location using the official Where to Watch guide

Plan a holiday evening around decorated boats and waterfront festivities. Choose a viewing location and check travel arrangements before setting out.

Official viewing-area and VIP tickets are sold separately; other viewing options vary

Do not label every viewing area free. Organizer ticket and location links are on the event homepage.