5 Thanksgiving Themed Crafts To Make With Your Kids

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to get creative with kids and make lasting memories while celebrating the season of gratitude.

Not only do crafts keep children engaged, but they also provide opportunities for learning, teamwork, and fun.

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Here are five simple and festive Thanksgiving crafts that kids will love to make, and you'll love displaying.

1. Handprint Turkeys

Handprint crafts are a classic and easy way to capture kids' creativity, and a handprint turkey is an adorable keepsake for Thanksgiving. All you need is some construction paper, markers, and paint.

Materials Needed:

• Brown construction paper
• Colored paper (red, yellow, orange, and green)
• Paint (red, yellow, orange, and brown)
• Markers
• Glue

How to Make It:

1. Paint the child’s hand with brown paint and press it onto a sheet of white or colored construction paper.
2. Once dry, use the colored paper to cut out feathers, and glue them around the handprint to make a colorful turkey tail.
3. Use markers to draw eyes, a beak, and a waddle, completing the turkey face.
4. Write the child’s name and the year at the bottom for a fun keepsake.

2. Thankful Tree

A thankful tree is a wonderful way to teach kids about gratitude while also making a beautiful craft. This can be a centerpiece for your Thanksgiving dinner or a decorative piece that can be added to any room.

Materials Needed:

• Construction paper (brown, green, and yellow)
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• A large jar or vase (for the tree trunk)
• Twigs or small branches

How to Make It:

1. Stick twigs or small branches into the jar or vase to create a tree trunk.
2. Cut out leaves from the green, yellow, and orange construction paper.
3. Have each child write something they’re thankful for on the leaves.
4. Hang or tape the leaves to the tree branches. Watch as the tree fills up with gratitude!

3. Pinecone Pumpkins

If you’re looking for a fun way to incorporate nature into your Thanksgiving crafts, pinecone pumpkins are an excellent choice. These little decorative pumpkins are easy to make and look great as fall table decor.

Materials Needed:

• Pinecones
• Orange paint
• Green pipe cleaners
• Scissors
• Glue

How to Make It:

1. Paint the pinecones orange and let them dry.
2. Once dry, twist a green pipe cleaner around the top to form a pumpkin stem and leaves.
3. Add a few small leaves or decorations if desired.
4. Display your pinecone pumpkins as part of your Thanksgiving table centerpiece!

4. Cork Stamped Leaf Prints

Kids love getting their hands dirty with paint, and cork stamps make it easy for them to create beautiful leaf prints. This craft allows them to explore different shapes and colors while learning about the changing leaves of autumn.

Materials Needed:

• Wine corks (or any small corks)
• Paint (red, orange, yellow, brown, and green)
• White paper or canvas
• Paintbrush (optional)
• Scissors (for trimming the cork if needed)

How to Make It:

1. Dip the flat side of the cork in paint, and press it onto the paper to create a leaf shape.
2. Experiment with different colors to create a variety of leaves.
3. Let the prints dry, and use markers to add veins or extra details to the leaves.
4. Once dry, you can frame the artwork for a fun and seasonal decoration.

5. Paper Plate Pilgrims

Create a fun and interactive way to celebrate the pilgrims who helped shape Thanksgiving. These paper plate pilgrims can be a fun activity for younger children, who will enjoy assembling the pieces.

Materials Needed:

• Paper plates
• Black construction paper
• White construction paper
• Glue
• Scissors
• Markers

How to Make It:

1. Use a paper plate as the face of the pilgrim and decorate it with markers to add eyes, a nose, and a mouth.
2. Cut out a pilgrim hat from black construction paper and a small white square for the hat’s buckle.
3. Attach the hat to the top of the paper plate with glue.
4. Cut out a collar or shirt from the white paper and glue it below the face to complete the pilgrim’s outfit.
5. Let the kids enjoy their paper plate pilgrims as they display them around the house.

These five Thanksgiving crafts are perfect for getting kids into the festive spirit while teaching them about gratitude, creativity, and the season. Whether it’s creating a handprint turkey, making a thankful tree, or crafting paper plate pilgrims, these activities will keep children engaged while you celebrate the harvest season with fun and festive creations. Gather your materials, roll up your sleeves, and get ready for a Thanksgiving full of creativity and joy.