Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Dinner

Want to surprise your kids with a really fun meal? Serve them a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Dinner!

Ready to wow your kids one night in November? Serve them a special dinner they won’t soon forget, a meal straight out of a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving!

If your kids love the Charlie Brown movies, then chances are good they’ve either seen the TV special or read the picture book that was created after the TV special was recorded in 1973.

In case you don’t know the story, Peppermint Patty invites herself and two other kids over to Chuck’s house for Thanksgiving Dinner. He doesn’t know how to cook, or apparently how to say no. 

Charlie Brown delegates the Thanksgiving meal prep to Snoopy who instead of turkey, prepares an elegant platter of jelly beans, pretzel sticks, popcorn, and toast. The book omits the strawberry milkshakes included in the TV special.

Peppermint Patty throws a fit over the food and poor Charlie Brown blames himself for ruining everyone’s holiday.

There are key points of wisdom shared by the Peanuts voices of reason, Linus and Marcy, and eventually Charlie Brown’s grandmother invites them all over to her home to enjoy a meal with the family.

Having themed activities near the holidays is super fun, so make sure you add this to your Fall Bucket List.

Either watching the show or reading the book this time of year, it’s a fun activity to include a Snoopy Snack plate — and also have a conversation with your kids about boundaries and what a true apology looks like.

Looking at you, Peppermint Patty.

The TV special is currently streaming on Apple TV. Their contract with Peanuts requires that they offer it for free three days a year, this weekend (November 15 and 16) counting as two of those days. I’m not sure what they did with that third day.

Anywho, here’s what to include in your Charlie Brown Thanksgiving dinner.

Ingredients

popcorn – This can be air popped, microwave, or stovetop popcorn. It’s up to you, but I say, use what you have.

toast – Toast your family’s favorite bread and butter it, if desired.

jelly beans – Everyone knows the best jelly beans are Jelly Belly. This time of year you can find lots of different flavors in small variety packs.

pretzels – The classic version is to use pretzel sticks, but honestly Buttersnaps taste better and you can find small bags at Dollar Tree and use the leftovers for your Thanksgiving raspberry pretzel dessert!

optional, strawberry milkshake – As I mentioned, this is omitted from the picture book, but is included in the film version. I recommend making my Red Banana Smoothies and call it good.

Assemble all components however you like, plated or served as a buffet. The kids are gonna love it!

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