a bunch of Navy kids are coming to Thanksgiving...now what

I think they'll just be happy to have a home cooked meal and something to watch on the TV! Thank you for opening up your home to them.

This is amazingly generous of you!

I would have playing cards available, sports on tv, and maybe set aside some time before dessert to go around the table and have everyone share what makes their Thanksgiving at home memorable.

Make sure you have a football on hand - they might enjoy a friendly pickup game!

We hosted my dad's friend's son and his friend (Marines) one Thanksgiving. They ate, watched football, took a nap, and hung out in the backyard with me, my sister, and brother. We tossed the football around.

More food!

And when my son brought home some buddies on short notice, the soldiers (one was female) only had their uniforms on, so when they all went out into the yard to play some "touch" football, they borrowed sweats, t-shirts, sweatshirts, whatever. We had to borrow some larger sizes from a neighbor!

So, pretty much ditto what @sunnycalimom said, right down to the napping!

My dh was Navy.
Food and more food and snacks and more snacks and drinks and more drinks is how I prepared when I did this.

Thank you for thinking of the single Sailors.

Jennifer

Just food, pie ( don’t forget the pie), brownies, chocolate chip cookies, milk,

Oh, this is so near and dear to my heart! My dad was a 30-year submariner and would often bring single sailors home for holiday meals. It means so much to those young kids who are away from family ~ some for the first time. My dad would also volunteer for *duty* on Christmas Eve when my sister and I were older so the younger guys could be home with their young kids.

Blessings to you!

Is he by any chance in the Norfolk area? I can't remember where he's stationed (maybe you've never said?). My two sailors there host a bunch of people to their home for thanksgiving and your son would be more than welcome to join them.

My boys experienced these invitations themselves while in boot camp and A School in Great Lakes. They were always most appreciative of the churches and families who reached out.

Thank you for having them all over! 

I don't have anything to add to what people have said already...snacks, food, dessert, drinks, TV (Macy's parade, football), a real football for tossing outside after food is digested). Notice how I listed "snacks" and "dessert" separately from "food"... lol. Definitely three distinct categories.  

And, once you think you have enough food, buy more. Especially pie. Personally I wouldn't make that many pies but if you like to bake it could be fun. But be sure to have more than you think you'll need, because you will need that many. lol -- And don't forget the whipped cream!

I was once a single airman far from home. I always appreciated being invited to share Thanksgiving with families.

A lot will depend on if they are in basic training or just are just young. It’s my experience that they will have cell phones unless they are in the middle of basic training, so calling hopefully won’t be a big issue. Same thing with clothes, but that would be a great thing to ask about.

If they aren’t living in the dorms and have a small kitchen, sending home a few leftovers could be appreciated. It’s certainly not necessary, though! And with big appetites, you may not have any leftovers anyway.

Be sure to take a group photo—families like to see pictures!

He is stationed in Norfolk but lives in Chesapeake. Let me see what his plans are and I will be in touch!

Same

I’m from a Navy town and we have done the same. We like to see if they want to take leftovers home, so we try to have cheap to go containers on hand. But that goes for any gathering with my family. We always cook/have way too much food!