Thanksgiving is almost here, and you know what that means. Turkeys are getting nervous, pumpkin pies are making their annual appearance, and grandparents everywhere are preparing for the wonderful chaos of family gatherings.
But here's something you might not expect. Thanksgiving is also a golden opportunity to help your grandchildren become stronger readers, and you don't even need to open a book!
As a grandma, I'm always looking for ways to sneak a little learning into the fun. What better way than with surprising Thanksgiving facts that get kids talking, laughing, and discovering new words?
Ready to gobble up some knowledge?
Did You Know? 5 Thanksgiving Facts to Share With Your Grandchildren
1. Turkeys Can Fly!
Yes, really! Wild turkeys can fly at speeds approaching 55 miles per hour. That's one speedy bird!
The Literacy Connection: Introduce words like soar, glide, swoop, and flutter. Ask your grandchild to describe what a turkey might look like while flying through the backyard.
Grandparent Giggle: "If a turkey flew over our house, where do you think it would land?" The answers might surprise you!
2. Pumpkins Are Actually Fruits!
Surprise! That pumpkin sitting on your porch isn't technically a vegetable. It's a fruit because it develops from a flower and contains seeds.
The Literacy Connection: Play a describing game. Is a pumpkin round, enormous, bumpy, smooth, or gigantic? Every new descriptive word builds vocabulary.
Grandparent Giggle: Ask, "If a pumpkin could talk, what would it say when someone turned it into a pie?"
I'm guessing something like, "Hey! I didn't sign up for this!"
3. Turkeys Have Been Around Our Dinner Tables for a Very Long Time
People in what is now Mexico began raising domesticated turkeys about 2,000 years ago. Talk about a family tradition!
The Literacy Connection: Introduce the word tradition. Explain that traditions are activities or customs families repeat over time.
Ask your grandchild, "What's your favorite Thanksgiving tradition? What new one should we invent?"
Grandparent Giggle: Suggest starting a tradition where Grandma gets the first piece of pie. Personally, I think it's an excellent idea.
4. Potatoes Traveled a Long Way to Thanksgiving Dinner
Did you know those fluffy mashed potatoes on our Thanksgiving tables didn't originally come from Poland? Potatoes actually originated in South America, where people began growing them thousands of years ago. They eventually made their way to Europe, including Poland, where they became a favorite food!
The Literacy Connection: Explore words like journey, travel, discover, and destination. Invite your grandchild to imagine a potato's adventure around the world.
Grandparent Giggle: "If a potato packed a suitcase, what would it bring?"
I suspect a potato wouldn't forget its favorite gravy!
5. Cranberries Are Thanksgiving Superstars
Wisconsin grows more cranberries than any other U.S. state. That's a lot of cranberry sauce!
The Literacy Connection: Practice comparison words like more, fewer, most, and least. Ask your grandchild which Thanksgiving foods they'd like more of and which they'd happily skip.
A Little Something to Watch For: If your grandchild consistently struggles with these words or other language activities, it may be worth paying closer attention. Difficulty with comparison words alone isn't a sign of dyslexia, but persistent language or early literacy challenges can sometimes signal a need for additional support.
Our CJ Corki A–Z Journal helps you track your grandchild's developmental milestones, celebrate progress, and record observations you may want to share with parents or educators.
Grandparent Giggle: "If you could replace cranberry sauce with any food in the world, what would you choose?"
Chocolate might win by a landslide!
Why All This Silly Talk Matters
Here's the important part behind all the giggles.
Did you know everyday conversations help children develop the language skills they need to read?
When grandchildren hear unfamiliar words, ask questions, explain their ideas, and tell imaginative stories, they're strengthening their vocabulary and comprehension.
And here's my favorite part. You don't need flashcards, worksheets, or a classroom. You just need curiosity, conversation, and a willingness to be a little silly.
The Grandparent Gobble Challenge!
This Thanksgiving, challenge everyone at the table to create the funniest sentence using three words:
Turkey. Gigantic. Adventure.
Here's mine: "The gigantic turkey packed his suitcase for an adventure because he heard Grandma was making gravy!"
Let everyone take a turn, especially the youngest family members. Celebrate their creativity instead of correcting every little mistake.
Because the goal isn't perfection. It's helping children discover that words are wonderful, stories are fun, and learning can happen anywhere.
And that, my fellow grandparents, is something worth gobbling about!
Keep the Gobble-Worthy Learning Going!
Thanksgiving may come just once a year, but opportunities to build little readers happen every day!
Ready for more giggles, games, and grandparent-powered literacy ideas? Visit CJ Corki to discover playful ways to turn everyday moments into learning adventures.
Because every conversation, every story, and every giggle helps grow a reader!
Sources and Further ReadingSmithsonian Institution, Origins of Thanksgiving FoodsSmithsonian's National Zoo, Wild TurkeyUniversity of Illinois Extension, Pumpkin RecipesWisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Wisconsin Cranberry BoardReading Rockets, Oral Language and Vocabulary
