A Thanksgiving Play for Kids
Let’s Be Thankful is a Thanksgiving play for kids that tells the story of the Pilgrims’ arrival in America and their first difficult year in the New World. Through their encounters with the Wampanoag people, children discover how sharing knowledge, helping one another, and working together can make a difference. The story concludes with a harvest celebration that reminds us of the importance of gratitude, friendship, family, and appreciating the blessings in our lives.
CHARACTERS:
- BOY 1: A friendly boy who enjoys telling stories.
- BOY 2: His friend, who wants to learn about Thanksgiving.
- NARRATOR
- WOMAN PILGRIM 1
- MAN PILGRIM 1
- GIRL PILGRIM: Daughter of Woman and Man Pilgrim 1.
- WOMAN PILGRIM 2
- MAN PILGRIM 2
- BOY PILGRIM: Son of Woman and Man Pilgrim 2.
- WAMPANOAG LEADER: Chief of the Wampanoag people.
- WAMPANOAG 1
- WAMPANOAG 2
- WAMPANOAG 3
- WAMPANOAG 4
- SQUANTO (TISQUANTUM): A Wampanoag man who helps the English settlers learn how to grow food and survive.
PROPS: Cardboard ship, berries, seeds, herbs or plants, corn seeds, baskets of fruit and vegetables, bows and arrows (for theatrical use), cooked or plastic turkey, long table, chairs, and baskets.
SETTING: The table is placed in the center of the stage. The baskets of fruit and vegetables are on the floor near the table.
SCRIPT:
SCENE 1: WHAT IS THANKSGIVING?
(Boy 1 and Boy 2 enter the stage talking. They stand in the center.)
BOY 1: What are you going to do for Thanksgiving?
BOY 2: I don’t know yet. What about you?
BOY 1: Why don’t you and your family come over to my house? We’re having turkey for dinner!
BOY 2: That sounds great! What time should we come?
BOY 1: Around one o’clock.
BOY 2: Perfect! I’ll see you then!
(Boy 2 starts walking away.)
BOY 1: Hey! Wait a minute!
BOY 2: (turning around) What’s up?
BOY 1: Do you know the story behind Thanksgiving?
BOY 2: Well, I know we eat turkey and get together with our families, but I don’t really know how it all started.
BOY 1: Would you like me to tell you?
BOY 2: Absolutely!
BOY 1: Then come along! Let me take you back in time, more than four hundred years ago!
(They walk offstage.)
SCENE 2: LEAVING ENGLAND
NARRATOR: Many years ago, in England, a group of people called the Pilgrims wanted to practice their religion freely. They disagreed with the rules of the Church of England and decided to leave their homeland in search of religious freedom.
(Woman Pilgrim 1, Man Pilgrim 1, and Girl Pilgrim enter. Woman Pilgrim 2, Man Pilgrim 2, and Boy Pilgrim are standing on the opposite side of the stage.)
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: I don’t think we can go on living like this anymore.
MAN PILGRIM 1: I agree. We want to worship God in our own way, but we are not allowed to.
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: Why can’t people choose how they want to practice their religion?
MAN PILGRIM 1: I believe we should leave England and find a place where we can live according to our beliefs.
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: But where will we go?
MAN PILGRIM 1: Across the Atlantic Ocean, to a place called the New World.
(They approach Woman Pilgrim 2 and her family.)
MAN PILGRIM 1: We are planning to sail to America. Would you like to come with us?
MAN PILGRIM 2: America? That’s a very long journey!
WOMAN PILGRIM 2: And what about our children? Will they be safe?
MAN PILGRIM 1: The journey will be difficult, but we hope to find a place where we can live freely.
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: We must be brave and have faith.
GIRL PILGRIM: I want to go, too! I want to see this new land!
BOY PILGRIM: Me, too! I wonder what it looks like!
MAN PILGRIM 2: Very well. Let’s prepare for the journey!
(The Pilgrims cheerfully gather their belongings and get inside the cardboard ship.)
NARRATOR: In September 1620, approximately 102 passengers boarded a ship called the Mayflower. After a long and difficult journey across the Atlantic Ocean, they finally reached the shores of North America in November.
(The Pilgrims walk around the stage inside the ship.)
GIRL PILGRIM: (looking tired) Mother, I’m hungry! We’ve been eating salted meat and hard biscuits for so long!
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: I know, sweetheart. We’ve been at sea for almost two months!
WOMAN PILGRIM 2: Don’t worry. Hopefully, we’ll reach land very soon.
MAN PILGRIM 1: (looking into the distance) Look, everyone! I can see land!
BOY PILGRIM: Hooray! We’re finally here!
ALL PILGRIMS: Hooray!
SCENE 3: A NEW HOME
SETTING: PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS, 1620
(The Pilgrims leave the ship and look around. Berries and seeds are scattered on the floor.)
NARRATOR: The Pilgrims arrived in the homeland of the Wampanoag people, near what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts. They were excited to begin a new life, but they soon discovered that surviving in this unfamiliar place would not be easy.
MAN PILGRIM 1: We must find food and shelter before winter arrives!
MAN PILGRIM 2: Let’s look around and see what we can find.
WOMAN PILGRIM 2: I’ll stay with the children while you search for food.
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: Be careful, everyone!
(The Pilgrims walk around the stage, pretending to search for food.)
GIRL PILGRIM: (picking up some berries) Look! I found some berries!
BOY PILGRIM: (picking up some seeds) And I found some seeds!
GIRL PILGRIM: Mother! Father! Look what we found!
MAN PILGRIM 1: Wonderful! Every little bit will help us.
WOMAN PILGRIM 2: We should be thankful for what we have.
ALL PILGRIMS: Thank you, God, for these blessings!
NARRATOR: However, their first winter was extremely cold and difficult. Food was scarce, and many Pilgrims became seriously ill. Sadly, some did not survive.
(The Pilgrims pretend to shiver from the cold. Woman Pilgrim 2 embraces her son.)
BOY PILGRIM: Mother, I’m so cold!
WOMAN PILGRIM 2: Come closer, sweetheart. I’ll keep you warm.
MAN PILGRIM 2: We must help one another. We cannot give up!
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: We must remain strong and have hope.
MAN PILGRIM 1: Better days will come. We must believe that!
NARRATOR: As the days passed, spring finally arrived. The warm sunshine brought new hope to everyone.
(The Pilgrims slowly stand, stretch, and look up at the sky.)
GIRL PILGRIM: Look! The sun is shining!
BOY PILGRIM: And the flowers are blooming!
GIRL AND BOY PILGRIM: Let’s celebrate! Spring is here!
(They dance happily.)
NARRATOR: After a long, difficult winter, the Pilgrims were grateful to see the arrival of a new season.
(The Pilgrims gather in the center of the stage and sing.)
SONG: A BEAUTIFUL DAY
(Sung to the tune of “It’s a Beautiful Day”)
See the sun,
Shinning in the window,
Time to start a new day.
Can’t you hear the song bird singing?
Anouncing a loud day.
And it’s a beautiful day,
for running in the sun,
A beautiful day has just begun,
A beautiful day to do what I want to do-o-o-o.
Aha
And it’s a beautiful day,
Just to be alive,
A beautiful day so glad that I’ve got,
A beautiful day,
And I’d like to share it with you.
SCENE 4: NEW FRIENDS
NARRATOR: One day, some members of the Wampanoag people approached the settlement. They had lived in this region for generations and knew the land very well.
(The Wampanoag people enter the stage.)
WAMPANOAG LEADER: Greetings! We are the Wampanoag people. We have come to speak with you.
MAN PILGRIM 1: Welcome! We are happy to meet you.
WAMPANOAG LEADER: We know that you have had a difficult time. We would like to share some of our knowledge with you.
MAN PILGRIM 2: That would be wonderful! We need all the help we can get.
WAMPANOAG 1: We can teach you how to grow corn and other crops.
WAMPANOAG 2: We can also show you how to find food in the forest and along the shore.
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: Thank you! We would love to learn.
(Squanto steps forward.)
SQUANTO: My name is Squanto. I speak English, and I can help you communicate with my people.
MAN PILGRIM 1: That’s wonderful! We are very grateful for your help.
SQUANTO: Come with me. I’ll show you how to plant corn.
(Squanto takes some corn seeds and kneels down.)
SQUANTO: First, you must prepare the soil. Then, plant the seeds carefully.
(He demonstrates how to plant the seeds.)
WAMPANOAG 1: Corn is very important to our people. We also grow beans and squash.
WAMPANOAG 2: These crops provide food for our families.
MAN PILGRIM 2: We will follow your instructions. Thank you for teaching us!
NARRATOR: The Wampanoag people shared their knowledge of farming, fishing, hunting, and the land. Squanto, also known by his Wampanoag name, Tisquantum, played an important role in helping the English settlers communicate and learn new skills.
WAMPANOAG 3: We can also show you how to fish.
WAMPANOAG 4: And how to find food in the forest!
BOY PILGRIM: Really? That sounds exciting!
GIRL PILGRIM: I would love to learn!
SQUANTO: Then come along! There is much to discover.
NARRATOR: The Wampanoag people and the English settlers began working together, sharing knowledge and helping one another.
(The Wampanoag people stand in the center of the stage and perform a rhythmic chant.)
SONG: LET’S PLANT AND GROW
(Sung to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell,” with a few rhythmic adjustments.)
Let’s plant the corn,
Let’s watch it grow.
Give it sunshine,
Give it water,
And soon we’ll have a wonderful crop!
Let’s work together,
Let’s lend a hand.
There’s so much to learn
About this beautiful land!
(Everyone claps along.)
SCENE 5: THE HARVEST CELEBRATION
NARRATOR: The seasons passed, and the Pilgrims worked hard in their fields. Thanks to their efforts and the knowledge shared by the Wampanoag people, they finally gathered a successful harvest in the autumn of 1621.
MAN PILGRIM 1: Look at all the food we’ve grown!
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: We have corn, vegetables, and plenty of other food!
GIRL PILGRIM: And we have so much to share!
MAN PILGRIM 2: We should celebrate this wonderful harvest!
WOMAN PILGRIM 2: Yes! We have many reasons to be thankful.
MAN PILGRIM 1: Let’s invite our Wampanoag neighbors to celebrate with us.
(He approaches Squanto.)
MAN PILGRIM 1: Squanto, please invite your people to join us for a harvest celebration.
SQUANTO: I will gladly share the invitation with them.
WAMPANOAG LEADER: We will join you. We are also grateful for the harvest and for the food that sustains our families.
WAMPANOAG 1: We will bring food to share.
WAMPANOAG 2: And we can celebrate together!
NARRATOR: In the autumn of 1621, the English settlers and members of the Wampanoag community gathered for a three-day harvest celebration. The Wampanoag leader, Ousamequin, also known as Massasoit, came with approximately ninety men. They shared food and spent time together.
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: Let’s prepare the table!
(The Pilgrims arrange the table and chairs.)
WOMAN PILGRIM 2: I’ll help arrange the food.
(The Wampanoag people enter carrying baskets.)
WAMPANOAG 3: We have brought some food to share!
WAMPANOAG 4: And we have brought venison and other delicious food!
(They place the baskets on the table.)
GIRL PILGRIM: Look at all these wonderful things!
BOY PILGRIM: Everything looks delicious!
MAN PILGRIM 2: We have so much to be thankful for.
WAMPANOAG LEADER: We are thankful for the harvest, for the land, and for the food that nourishes our families.
SQUANTO: Sharing what we have makes the celebration even more meaningful.
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: We are thankful for the food, our families, and the opportunity to share this day.
WOMAN PILGRIM 2: And we are grateful for everyone who has helped us.
MAN PILGRIM 1: Let us celebrate this harvest and give thanks for our blessings!
(Everyone gathers around the table.)
PILGRIMS AND WAMPANOAG PEOPLE: We are thankful for this wonderful day!
NARRATOR: And that is one of the stories behind the Thanksgiving celebration we know today. Although much has changed over the centuries, the tradition of gathering together, sharing food, and giving thanks remains meaningful to many people.
SCENE 6: LET’S BE THANKFUL!
(All the characters stand together in the center of the stage.)
NARRATOR: Thanksgiving reminds us that there are many things to appreciate in our lives. We should be thankful not only for food and material things but also for the people who love us and help us.
BOY PILGRIM: I’m thankful for my family!
GIRL PILGRIM: I’m thankful for my friends!
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: I’m thankful for the food on our table.
MAN PILGRIM 1: I’m thankful for every new opportunity.
WOMAN PILGRIM 2: I’m thankful for the love we share.
MAN PILGRIM 2: I’m thankful for hope and a new beginning.
WAMPANOAG 1: I’m thankful for the land.
WAMPANOAG 2: I’m thankful for nature and its gifts.
WAMPANOAG 3: I’m thankful for my community.
WAMPANOAG 4: I’m thankful for the food we grow.
SQUANTO: I’m thankful for knowledge, cooperation, and the chance to help others.
WAMPANOAG LEADER: We should remember to respect one another and appreciate the gifts that nature provides.
BOY 1: Now I understand! Thanksgiving is not just about eating turkey!
BOY 2: You’re right! It’s about being grateful for what we have and sharing with others.
BOY 1: Exactly! We should be thankful every day, not just once a year!
BOY 2: I agree! Let’s celebrate!
(All the characters join hands and sing.)
SONG: LET’S BE THANKFUL
(Sung to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.“)
Let’s be thankful for this day,
For our friends and for our play.
Let’s be thankful; let’s be glad,
For the food and things we have.
Let’s give thanks for you and me,
And our home and family.
ALL CHARACTERS: Happy Thanksgiving!
(Everyone bows.)
THE END
Author: K I D S I N C O
Conclusion: The story of Thanksgiving reminds us that even during difficult times, there are always reasons to be grateful. Through friendship, cooperation, and generosity, people can overcome challenges and build stronger communities. Most importantly, we should remember to appreciate our families, friends, food, and all the wonderful things we have. Being thankful is something we should practice every da
Moral of the Story: We should always be thankful for the blessings in our lives. Sharing what we have, helping others, and appreciating the people around us make the world a better place.
Moral Values:
- Gratitude: Appreciating the good things and blessings in our lives.
- Generosity: Sharing what we have with others.
- Friendship: Building relationships through kindness and understanding.
- Cooperation: Working together to overcome difficulties.
- Kindness: Helping people who need assistance.
- Respect: Appreciating different cultures, traditions, and beliefs.
- Perseverance: Remaining hopeful and determined during difficult times.
- Community: Understanding the importance of helping and supporting one another.
Explore our full collection of free play scripts for kids, perfect for classroom performances.
External Resources:
- National Museum of the American Indian – Rethinking Thanksgiving Celebrations
- Plimoth Patuxet Museums – Thanksgiving
- First Thanksgiving – National Geographic Kids
This play script, “Let’s Be Thankful,” is the property of Kidsinco and may not be republished, copied, or distributed on any other website, blog, forum, or social media platform without written permission from Kidsinco. It is intended for personal and educational use only.
Thank you for visiting Kidsinco Free Play Scripts for Kids!
LET’S BE THANKFUL
CHARACTERS:
BOY 1
BOY 2
NARRATOR
WOMAN PILGRIM 1
MAN PILGRIM 1
GIRL PILGRIM (daughter of woman and man pilgrim 1)
WOMAN PILGRIM 2
MAN PILGRIM 2
BOY PILGRIM (son of woman and man pilgrim 2)
CHIEF INDIAN
INDIAN 1
INDIAN 2
INDIAN 3
INDIAN 4
SQUANTO
PROPS: Cardboard ship, berries, seeds, herb/plant, corn seeds, basket of fruit, basket of vegetables, arrows and bows, cooked or plastic turkey, long table, chairs.
The table is on the center of stage. The basket of fruit and the basket of vegetables are on the floor near the table
SCRIPT:
(Boy 1 and 2 enter the stage talking. They stand in the center of the stage)
BOY 1: What are you going to do for Thanksgiving?.
BOY 2: I don’t know.
BOY 1: Why don’t you and your family come over and eat turkey with us?.
BOY 2: That would be great! What time do you want us to come?.
BOY 1: About 1:00.
BOY 2: Okay, I will see you then.
(Boy 2 starts to walk and waves goodbye)
BOY 1: Hey. Wait!.
BOY 2: (turns around) What’s up?.
BOY 1: Do you know the story of thanksgiving?.
BOY 2: Sort of.
BOY 1: Do you want me to tell you the story?.
BOY 2: Yeah!.
BOY 1: (they start walking and leave the stage) Many, many years ago…..
NARRATOR: The Pilgrims that were living in England were unhappy because there was religious persecution.
(Woman Pilgrim 2, Man Pilgrim 2, and Boy Pilgrim enter and stand in the right side of the stage. Woman Pilgrim 1, Man Pilgrim 1, and Girl Pilgrim enter the stage talking)
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: We can`t go on like this anymore.
MAN PILGRIM 1: I know, we don`t have religious freedom, but we have to do what our King James said.
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: I still don`t understand why he doesn`t allow us to attend the church of our choice.
MAN PILGRIM 1: I think we should leave England and find a place where we can worship God in our own way.
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: I agree with you. We have to talk to other people and see who wants to join us.
(They approach Woman Pilgrim 2, Man Pilgrim 2, and Boy Pilgrim)
MAN PILGRIM 1: We want to break away from the Church of England. It is too controlling!.
MAN PILGRIM 2: How can we do it?.
MAN PILGRIM 1: Let’s gather some people to sail across the Atlantic to settle in a New World.
MAN PILGRIM 2: But we don’t have any money!.
MAN PILGRIM 1: Some merchants will fund our trip.
WOMAN PILGRIM 2: Yes, for the sake of our children and for the gospel, we need to immigrate to America.
(They get inside the cardboard ship and walk around the stage)
NARRATOR: So the pilgrims left England in September, 1620 in a a ship called the Mayflower with 102 people aboard and came to America.
GIRL PILGRIM: (to Woman Pilgrim 1) Mom, I am hungry, we only eat salted meat and dry bisquits.
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: I know sweety, we have been in this boat for almost two months!.
WOMAN PILGRIM 2: I am sure we will soon get off this ship.
MAN PILGRIM 1: Look over there, I can see land!.
WOMAN PILGRIM 2: I told you, we are almost there.
SETTING: LAND – AT PLYMOUTH MASSACHUSETTS
(They get out of the ship and walk around the stage. Berries and seeds are on the floor)
NARRATOR: When they landed, the Pilgrims needed food to eat.
MAN PILGRIM 1 AND 2: Come everybody!. We have to look for fresh food.
MAN PILGRIM 2: Let´s get separated to find the food.
WOMAN PILGRIM 2: Yes, I will go this way, and you go that way.
(they walk around the stage looking down for food)
GIRL PILGRIM: (picks up the berries) Hey, look! I have some berries.
BOY PILGRIM: (picks up the seeds) And I found some seeds.
GIRL AND BOY PILGRIM: Mother! Father! Look what we found!
ALL PILGRIMS: (holding hands and looking up) Thank you God for your blessings!.
NARRATOR: The first winter in America was long and hard.
MAN PILGRIM 2: It´s cold. Everybody put on your heavy clothes.
WOMAN PILGRIM 2: Let´s protect our children.
NARRATOR: Some pilgrims became ill.
BOY PILGRIM: (to pilgrim woman 2) I feel sick, mother. (lies on the floor)
WOMAN PILGRIM 2: (kneels down) Somebody help me!. My son is sick.
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: (gives a herbal plant to woman pilgrim 2) Give him this plant. It will cure his disease and he will feel much better.
WOMAN PILGRIM 2: (gives the herbal plant to the boy) Thank you!.
(Boy Pilgrim eats the plant and stands)
NARRATOR: Then Spring came and everybody was joyful.
GIRL AND BOY PILGRIM: (dancing together) What a beautiful day! Let´s dance and play.
(The Pilgrims stand in the middle of the stage and sing)
THE PILGRIMS SING: (Sung to: “It’s a Beautiful Day”)
See the sun,
Shinning in the window,
Time to start a new day.
Can’t you hear the song bird singing?
Anouncing a loud day.
And it’s a beautiful day,
for running in the sun,
A beautiful day has just begun,
A beautiful day to do what I want to do-o-o-o.
Aha
And it’s a beautiful day,
Just to be alive,
A beautiful day so glad that I’ve got,
A beautiful day,
And I’d like to share it with you.
NARRATOR: One day some indians came to the village.
(All the Indians enters the stage)
CHIEF INDIAN: Hello People. We want to offer you our help.
MAN PILGRIM 1: Welcome to our village. We appreciate your help.
INDIAN 1, 2, 3, 4: We can show you how to grow your own food.
MAN PILGRIM 2: Please, tell us how.
INDIAN 1: (shows them the seeds) These are corn seeds. (kneels down and puts the seeds on the floor) This is how you should plant them.
(Man Pilgrim 1 and 2 kneel down)
NARRATOR: And the Indians showed the pilgrims how to plant corn, and wheat, and other vegetables. One of the Indians was called Squanto.
(Indian 1, Man Pilgrim 1 and 2 stand)
SQUANTO: I want to be your friend.
INDIAN 2: We also want to teach you how to hunt and fish.
INDIAN 3: We will hunt quail and turkey.
INDIAN 4: Come let´s go to the forest.
NARRATOR: Then they went to the forest to hunt wild animals.
(They walk around the stage pretending to hunt. The Indians stand in the middle of the stage and sing)
INDIANS SING: I’m a Little Indian (Sung to: ”I’m a Little Teapot”)
I’m a little Indian on the go,
Here is my arrow and here is my bow.
When I go out hunting, hear me shout-
Bear and Buffalo better watch out.
NARRATOR: And when summer ended they wanted to have a feast.
MAN PILGRIM 1: Now that we have plenty of food, and many new friends, let´s celebrate.
WOMAN PILGRIM 1: Yes, let´s give thanks for all the wonderful things we have, for our food, and for our friends.
MAN PILGRIM 1: (to Squanto) Tell your people to come with us to join us in a big feast of Thanksgiving.
SQUANTO: Yes, it will be a very special holiday. My people will bring a wild turkey and fish.
WOMAN PILGRIM 2: Let´s set the table.
(The Indians enter the stage and approach the table carrying the turkey and put it on the table)
GIRL PILGRIM: ( picks up the basket of fruit and puts it on the table) I will put a basket full of fruit.
BOY PILGRIM: (picks up the basket of vegetables and puts it on the table) And these are the vegetables.
MAN PILGRIM 2: Everybody, come and sit down.
(Pilgrims and Indians sit)
WOMEN PILGRIM 1 AND 2: (holding hands) We give thanks for our food and for our friends.
MAN PILGRIM 1 AND 2: And for our many blessings.
PILGRIMS AND INDIANS: Thank you, Lord.
(The Indians and the pilgrims stand in the center of the stage and sing to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”)
Let’s be thankful for this day,
For our friends and for our play.
Let’s be thankful; let’s be glad,
For the food and things we have.
Let’s give thanks for you and me,
And our home and family.
PILGRIMS, INDIANS: (they bow) Thank You!.
THE END
Author: K I D S I N C O
This play script, “Let’s Be Thankful,” is the property of Kidsinco and may not be republished, copied, or distributed on any other website, blog, forum, or social media platform without written permission from Kidsinco. It is intended for personal and educational use only.
Thank you for visiting Kidsinco Free Play Scripts for Kids!