The best seat for Thanksgiving dinner will be at the "kids' table" this year with these fun, kid-friendly ideas.  Start gathering kid-inspired place settings, no-mess serving dishes and keep-em-busy games to play from turkey to dessert.

1. Kids plates are available in sets of 4 from Pottery Barn Kids or order personalized plates for the kids from Pitter Patter Creations.  Buy paper plates just for the kid table (because they're special!) from Oriental Trading or kids can decorate plates in advance for the kid table with a decorate-your-own-plate set from Bed, Bath & Beyond.
2. Make-your-own placemats or tablecloth for the kid table. Decorate and laminate paper place settings with hand-print turkeys as pictured or collage with photos of kids' favorite foods.  Or, cut a white sheet to table size and let kids decorate with fabric crayons before Thanksgiving.
3. Add child-friendly serving pieces for a self-service meal: a plastic lazy susan from Target will keep food spinning when someone asks "please pass the ____".  And individual pitchers from Lakeshore will have kids refilling milk and water without interrupting the adult table.
4. Add a little special interest for mealtime atmosphere and the children will keep one another talking and laughing. Flameless candles from Bed, Bath & Beyond are safe and fun.  The "talking fork" game is suitable if the guests don't start stabbing each other.  And a basket of kid jokes can keep young readers busy.

Bon Appetit kids!  Have fun - the day will come when you miss the kids' table.