Thanksgiving brings family and friends together for a delicious feast, but it’s also the perfect time to spark creativity with some festive DIY crafts. If you’re looking for fun ways to keep the kids entertained and engaged, these Thanksgiving-themed crafts are ideal. They’re fun, easy to make, and help kids connect with the holiday’s themes of gratitude and family.
From crafting paper plate turkeys to creating gratitude trees, these DIY projects allow kids to explore their creativity and contribute to your Thanksgiving decor. Get ready to bring out the glue, paint, and glitter for some family bonding time that will fill your home with festive, handmade Thanksgiving treasures.
1. Paper Plate Turkey
A simple, colorful paper plate turkey is a perfect craft for younger kids. Begin by having them paint a paper plate in warm fall colors. Once it’s dry, they can cut feather shapes from construction paper in reds, oranges, and yellows to glue around the plate.
Next, add a turkey face using googly eyes, a small orange beak, and even a wobbly red wattle. This cute craft is excellent for toddlers and preschoolers, who will love seeing their turkeys lined up as holiday decor. They can make multiple turkeys to decorate tables, windows, or even the front door.
2. Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree
A Thanksgiving gratitude tree is a beautiful way to teach kids about the importance of giving thanks. Start by gathering branches and placing them in a vase to resemble a tree. Cut out leaf shapes from colorful paper, and each day leading up to Thanksgiving, have kids write something they’re grateful for on a leaf.
Attach the leaves to the tree, creating a visual representation of gratitude. This gratitude tree makes for a meaningful Thanksgiving centerpiece, and kids will love adding to it daily. It’s a simple yet impactful craft that reinforces the holiday’s message of thankfulness.
3. Pinecone Turkeys
Pinecones make an excellent base for creating fun, nature-inspired turkeys. Collect pinecones from outside, and let kids glue colorful feathers around them to make the turkey’s tail. To complete the look, add googly eyes and a small orange paper beak at the front.
This eco-friendly craft brings together elements from nature and creativity, giving kids a chance to explore the outdoors while collecting their materials. Pinecone turkeys make charming Thanksgiving decorations and are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
4. Handprint Turkey Cards
Handprint turkey cards make heartfelt gifts for family members or can be displayed as part of your holiday decor. Kids can dip their hands in non-toxic paint and press them onto a sheet of paper to create a turkey shape. Once the paint is dry, add details like eyes, a beak, and legs to complete the turkey.
These cards are easy to make and offer a unique, personal touch. Kids can give them to family members as a way to share their gratitude, making these turkey cards a memorable keepsake for years to come. This craft is great for toddlers and preschoolers who enjoy the hands-on experience.
5. Corn Husk Wreath
Corn husks aren’t just for cooking – they make beautiful, rustic wreaths that are perfect for Thanksgiving decor. Have kids arrange dried corn husks in a circular pattern, gluing them onto a wreath base. They can even add dried leaves or acorns for an extra autumnal touch.
Creating a corn husk wreath is simple but gives a polished look that’s perfect for your front door or a cozy nook in your home. This craft helps kids get in the fall spirit and contributes to the Thanksgiving ambiance. It’s a unique way to decorate and celebrate the season.
6. Pumpkin Seed Art
If you have leftover pumpkin seeds, don’t throw them out; use them for a fun art project instead! Dry and clean the seeds, then let kids paint them in bright colors like orange, red, and yellow. Once the paint is dry, they can arrange and glue the seeds onto construction paper to create shapes like pumpkins, leaves, or turkeys.
Pumpkin seed art is a unique, textured craft that brings fall vibes indoors, and it’s a great way to use every part of the pumpkin. Kids love the colorful results and enjoy displaying their artwork as part of your Thanksgiving decor. It’s a simple project that celebrates the beauty of autumn.
7. Leaf Rubbing Art
Celebrate the beauty of fall leaves by making leaf rubbings. Have kids gather a few unique leaves, then place each leaf under a piece of white paper. They can use crayons or colored pencils to rub over the top of the paper, revealing the intricate details of the leaf underneath.
Leaf rubbing art creates beautiful, rustic designs that kids can use to decorate cards, table settings, or wall art. It’s a simple and magical way for kids to explore nature and create autumn-themed art. Plus, it’s an inexpensive craft that offers beautiful results.
8. Turkey Headbands
Kids love dressing up, so why not let them create their own turkey headbands for Thanksgiving? Start by cutting a strip of construction paper for the band and several feather shapes in fall colors. Kids can glue the feathers to the back of the band and add a turkey face with googly eyes and an orange beak on the front.
Turkey headbands are a fun way for kids to feel festive, and they’re perfect for family photo ops. These headbands are easy to make and add a touch of whimsy to your Thanksgiving celebration. Kids will be proud to wear their handmade headbands throughout the day.
9. Thanksgiving Placemat
Let kids make personalized placemats for Thanksgiving dinner with a little creativity and construction paper. Have them decorate large sheets of paper with drawings of turkeys, pumpkins, and other Thanksgiving images. If you laminate the placemats, they’ll be spill-proof and reusable for years.
Personalized placemats add a fun, personal touch to the holiday table, and they showcase each child’s unique creativity. This craft is not only festive but also practical, making dinner even more special. Kids will feel proud to have their artwork front and center at the family table.
10. Felt Pie Slices
Create mini pie slices using felt for a cute, no-bake Thanksgiving treat. Cut triangles from brown felt for the pie crust and orange for pumpkin pie filling. Add a white pom-pom for “whipped cream” on top of each slice.
These felt pie slices look good enough to eat and are fun for kids to make. They’re perfect as Thanksgiving decorations, or kids can use them as pretend play food. This craft captures the essence of Thanksgiving desserts without any of the baking!
11. Feathered Pinecone Owl
Turn pinecones into adorable feathered owls with just a few simple materials. Glue feathers onto the sides of the pinecone to make wings, then add googly eyes and a small beak made from paper or felt. These little owls make charming decorations for Thanksgiving and can be placed around the house or on the dinner table.
Kids love creating these owls because they can pick different colors for the feathers, making each one unique. This craft is a fun way to introduce kids to crafting with natural materials and gives them a chance to create a forest-themed friend for Thanksgiving.
12. Thanksgiving Suncatchers
Make Thanksgiving suncatchers that brighten up your windows using tissue paper and contact paper. Cut out a leaf, pumpkin, or turkey shape from clear contact paper, and let kids arrange small pieces of colorful tissue paper on top to create a mosaic effect.
Thanksgiving suncatchers add a burst of color to your home and let kids explore color combinations and patterns. Hang them in a sunny window for a beautiful display of fall colors that will catch the light. It’s an easy craft that results in stunning, colorful decorations.
13. Beaded Indian Corn
Kids can make mini Indian corn using pipe cleaners and colorful beads. Twist several pipe cleaners together to form the corn base, then let kids add beads in fall colors. Twist the ends to secure the beads, and finish with a green pipe cleaner for the husk.
Beaded Indian corn is a simple, tactile craft that’s easy for kids of all ages. They’ll enjoy stringing the beads and arranging colors to mimic real Indian corn. This craft makes a lovely addition to your Thanksgiving decorations and teaches kids about the harvest season.
14. Painted Rock Turkeys
Collect some rocks and transform them into painted turkeys. Have kids paint the rocks in warm fall colors, then add turkey feathers, eyes, and a beak with markers or paint. These rock turkeys make adorable decorations for Thanksgiving and are fun to create.
Kids love the hands-on nature of this craft and the chance to get creative with their turkey designs. Painted rock turkeys are a unique and fun way to add color to your Thanksgiving decor. They’re also a great project for kids who love art and want to try something new.
15. Thankful Paper Chains
Create a thankful chain by writing what everyone is grateful for on strips of paper, then link them together. Kids can decorate each strip with drawings or patterns, then link them together to form a long paper chain.
This thankful chain is a festive and heartfelt decoration that encourages kids to reflect on what they’re grateful for. The chain can be hung as a reminder of gratitude and gives kids a sense of accomplishment. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to add warmth to your Thanksgiving celebration.
16. Acorn People
Turn acorns into little Thanksgiving characters with just a few markers and a bit of felt. Use markers to draw faces on the acorns, then glue on tiny pieces of felt or paper for hats and clothing. Kids can even create a whole acorn family to play with or display.
Acorn people are an imaginative way for kids to create mini characters that celebrate the fall season. This craft is easy, creative, and makes for a fun outdoor activity. Kids will enjoy making their acorn family and can use them as table decorations or for imaginative play.
17. Pilgrim Hat Crayon Holders
These cute pilgrim hat crayon holders are practical and fun for the kids’ table at Thanksgiving. Roll black construction paper into a cone shape to form the hat, then add a yellow buckle on the front. Place crayons inside the cone so kids can color during dinner.
Pilgrim hat crayon holders are a great way to entertain kids during Thanksgiving dinner while adding to the table’s decor. It’s a simple craft, but one that kids will love using. Plus, they’re a festive addition to any kids’ table.
18. Leaf Crown
Kids can feel like royalty with a leaf crown made from fall leaves and paper. Glue or tape colorful leaves onto a strip of construction paper, then wrap it around their heads to fit. Kids can wear their crowns all day long, showing off their fall pride.
Leaf crowns are perfect for little ones who want to feel like part of the Thanksgiving festivities. It’s an easy craft that brings kids closer to nature and makes for some adorable family photos. Plus, they’ll enjoy wearing their handmade crowns as part of the celebration.
19. Painted Corn Cob Prints
Use corn cobs to create beautiful, textured prints that mimic fall patterns. Dip an ear of corn in paint and roll it across a sheet of paper, creating a unique print. Kids can experiment with different colors to create a beautiful Thanksgiving-themed artwork.
Corn cob prints are a simple yet fun way for kids to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. This craft celebrates the harvest season and allows kids to make festive art with unique textures. Plus, they’ll enjoy the process of rolling and printing.
20. Turkey Puppets
Turkey puppets are easy to make using paper bags, construction paper, and craft supplies. Decorate the bag with feathers, eyes, a beak, and feet to create a turkey face. Kids can use their turkey puppets for storytelling and imaginative play.
Turkey puppets add an interactive element to Thanksgiving crafts, giving kids the chance to put on a puppet show. They’ll love making their puppets unique with different colors and features, and they’ll have fun coming up with stories for their turkeys.
21. Apple Stamping Art
Make fall-themed art by using apple halves as stamps. Dip each half in paint, then press it onto paper to make a print. Kids can add details to transform their apple prints into pumpkins or other fall shapes.
Apple stamping is a simple yet creative way for kids to create their own Thanksgiving artwork. The prints are beautiful and can be used as cards or table decorations. Kids will enjoy the tactile nature of this craft and love the results of their stamped art.
22. Handprint Leaves
Create colorful “leaves” using handprints dipped in paint. Have kids press their painted hands onto paper, then cut out the handprint shapes to form leaves. Arrange the handprints into a garland or wreath to decorate the house.
Handprint leaves are a personal and creative way to celebrate fall, and kids will enjoy seeing their hands turned into colorful decor. This craft also makes for a fun keepsake, as each handprint represents a memory of Thanksgiving.
23. Pumpkin Spice Play Dough
Pumpkin-scented play dough is a fun sensory experience for kids during Thanksgiving. Mix flour, salt, water, and a little pumpkin pie spice for a dough that smells like fall. Kids can shape their dough into pumpkins, leaves, or anything they like.
Pumpkin spice play dough is easy to make and brings a cozy, festive scent into your home. Kids will enjoy molding and shaping their creations, making this a perfect craft to celebrate the season. It’s an activity that will keep them engaged and lets them create their own mini fall masterpieces.
Wrapping Up
These 23 DIY Thanksgiving crafts are a perfect way to engage kids in the holiday spirit, teaching them the values of gratitude, creativity, and family. Each craft is a chance for family bonding, and the results make beautiful decorations for your Thanksgiving celebration. Gather your materials, set up a crafting station, and enjoy making memories that you’ll cherish for years to come. Thanksgiving isn’t just about the meal; it’s about love, laughter, and creativity.