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Movies for Kids about History of Thanksgiving Holiday

Movies for Kids about History of Thanksgiving Holiday post image

With the Thanksgiving holiday around the corner, we are putting together some movies for kids about the history of Thanksgiving holiday. It is so much more fun to learning history with movies, and it is something the whole family can enjoy and learn together.

6 Movies for kids about the History of Thanksgiving Holiday

6 movies for kids to learn Thanksgiving history, that are great for the whole family to watch together.
William Bradford: William Bradford was a signatory to the Mayflower Compact while aboard the Mayflower in 1620. As a peacemaker, he befriended the Native Americans who taught the struggling Pilgrims how to survive. By the end of the first year, William Bradford became Governor of the new land. After their first critical harvest, he set aside time for the Pilgrims and their new Native American friends to feast together and express their thanks to God. Thus, William Bradford became the Father of Thanksgiving Day. He served as Plymouth Colony Governor five times covering about thirty years between 1621 and 1657.

Mayflower Pilgrims: A documentary with many facts about the pilgrims, such as Plymouth, England and why Pilgrims left England.

Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower: From their self-imposed exile in Holland and perilous Atlantic crossing in the Mayflower to unimaginable hardships encountered in their new land, this is the definitive story of the Pilgrims and how they came to live–and ultimately prosper–in the harsh climate of an unfamiliar world.


Squanto and the First Thanksgiving: The Legendary American Tale, Told by Graham Greene, true story of the Native American named Squanto, who is captured from his beloved Pawtuxet tribe, taken to Spain, and sold into slavery. Years later, Squanto regains his freedom and embarks on a miraculous journey back to his homeland where he teaches the Pilgrims how to survive the difficult early years in the Plymouth colony–culminating in the first Thanksgiving celebration. A touching drama about trust, faith and renewal.

Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale: a movie from Disney. Although it is not facts based, but it is well written story and a good way for kids to see the types of lives people in that age lived.

The New World: Nightmare in Jamestown: a movie from National Geographic, it’s a story of bubonic plague, starvation, espionage and cannibalism — and the founding of America’s first colony. In 1607, a handful of English adventurers set sail across the Atlantic, expecting a paradise teeming with gold and riches. Now, 400 years later, the latest discoveries reveal the true story of Jamestown–as you’ve never seen it before. With exclusive access to forensics and archaeology, National Geographic reveals shocking new evidence of starvation and disease, secret plots and Spanish spies. Authentic recreations bring to life one of the most dramatic chapters in America’s history.
Movies for kids to learn Thanksgiving history, Mayflower ship, pilgrims, ... that are great for the whole family to watch together.


Do you have any good Thanksgiving movies to recommend? Enjoy your holiday!

More quick easy Thanksgiving activities for kids? Check 140 Free Thanksgiving Printables for Kids
free Thanksgiving printable worksheets for kids learning activities
For more history learning resources, visit 10 Apps for Kids to Learn History.
apps for kids learn history
For more ideas on movies for kids, visit our collections of educational movies for kids.
Educational Movies for Kids


{ 4 comments… add one }
  • Callie

    Thank you for this list. My children really enjoy This is America Charlie Brown: The Mayflower Voyagers. And for me, I like the 1975 Anthony Hopkins film, Mayflower: The Pilgrims Adventure, which mostly follows the courtship of John Alden and Pricilla Mullens. It would be appropriate for older tweens on up, too.

  • Catherine

    Thanks for sharing! You introduced me to a few I hadn’t heard of before. We will be definitely be checking these out!

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