15 Thanksgiving Kids' Crafts
I love fall. There are so many fun activities and crafts during the season. I remember vividly crisp fall days from my youth and am excited to pass along some of my favorite craft ideas.
Thanksgiving is a day where most of us either have a house full of family or are visiting someone else’s home. Keep your children busy and happy with some of these craft ideas.
Cut back on some of the Thanksgiving stress by completing your holiday shopping early so you have the day free to relax with your family.
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Thankful Turkey
Are you looking for a fun way to introduce thankfulness to your child? Visit The Busy Toddler for a fun activity. A thankful turkey grows daily as your child adds on one feather each day with a few words of gratitude printed on it.
Painted Pumpkins
The only preparation for painted pumpkins is to throw some paper down on the table and set up a variety of paints and brushes. Your children can be as detailed as they want when painting their pumpkins.
You can do cute small pumpkins or large ones. They make adorable Thanksgiving centerpieces, especially when paired with a classy, embroidered table runner.
Thankful Bunting
The Artful Parent has instructions for a thankful bunting. This project only needs paper, scissors, tape, and markers. Your child can be as detailed or simplistic as they desire when coloring their ideas of thankfulness.
Painted Pinecones
Nature brings us so much beauty. Step outside and collect some pinecones to bring inside as part of your décor. Your child can spruce up the pinecones with paint for an extra touch. There is no right or wrong way to do this and you can match the colors to your home’s color scheme.
Try baking the pinecones in the oven at 200ᐤ to kill any bacteria or mites that may come in with the pinecones, before you decorate them.
Thanksgiving Placemats
If you’re looking for a fun craft for children without any mess, a coloring page is always a fun idea. Kindergarten Connection has a set of three fun Thanksgiving placemats to download. If you want to keep these placemats as a keepsake, laminate them after they are finished.
Leaf Turkeys
BabyCenter has an interesting idea for incorporating nature into a turkey craft. This one uses fallen leaves glued to paper to construct a turkey. If someone in your home has allergies or you live in a climate without fallen leaves, you can use fake leaves.
Paper Bag Turkey
A craft that only requires a few supplies is always welcomed. A paper bag turkey only requires a paper bag (or brown craft paper), construction paper, marker, glue stick & scissors. Days with Grey shares how her son completes this child-led craft with minimal adult supervision.
Beaded Pipe Cleaner Corn
I am amazed that you only need pipe cleaners and plastic pony beads to make this craft. This is a good way for your child to practice their fine motor skills by threading the beads on the pipe cleaner. Visit One Little Project for the tutorial.
This craft would pair nicely with this Give Thanks Velvet Décor Pillow as a hostess gift.
Fingerprint Turkey
Simply consisting of paint and paper, a fingerprint turkey is a turkey made from a basic sketch and your child’s fingerprints. Not only is a fingerprint turkey a cute craft, but it is also a memorable keepsake. Visit Sixth Bloom for step by step instructions for this simple craft.
Hand Turkey
A handprint turkey is a staple of Thanksgiving. Adults and children of all ages can enjoy making this craft. All you need is paper and markers. With the palm face down on the paper, use a marker to trace around the hand and fingers.
Then, decorate the turkey by using the traced thumb as the turkey head and the fingers as the feathers. If you want, you can even cut out this craft and apply a magnet for a fun decoration for your refrigerator.
Pumpkin Pie
Is there anyone who doesn’t love pumpkin pie? It’s a staple on every Thanksgiving table.
Give your little one the materials to assemble their very own craft version of this popular dessert. Visit A Night Owl Blog for instructions for a tissue paper and paper plate pie craft.
Gratitude Pumpkin
A gratitude pumpkin is a thoughtful tradition. Every member of the family writes what they are thankful for on a real pumpkin with a permanent marker. Start at the stem and circle around the pumpkin until it is filled up.
Fall Leaf Garland
A fall leaf garland would look lovely hanging as a fall decoration. The Artful Parent recommends hanging them in a window to see the light shining through each leaf.
Turkey Headbands
This craft is fun while making it and for pretend play after. Kids (or even adults!) can have fun pretending to be turkeys after making this fun craft. I Heart Craft Things has a free template for a silly turkey headband.
Turkey Puppets
Easy Peasy and Fun has a tutorial and printable for adorable turkey puppets. Print and color the template for fun, pretend play. They have two versions, one for younger children and one for older children to ensure fun for everyone.
Being Thankful
There are countless ways to make Thanksgiving special for your family. If you are visiting others this year, consider bringing one of these children-made crafts with your hostess gift. Your hostess is bound to love the thought they put into it.
What is your favorite Thanksgiving craft for children? Do you have any special family craft traditions? Let me know in the comments.
For more fall content, check out my Ultimate Fall Must Haves List.