Top 07 Thanksgiving Crafts For Kids

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for families to come together and celebrate the blessings of the harvest season. It's also a perfect opportunity for kids to engage in fun and creative activities that capture the spirit of the holiday. Crafting not only keeps little hands busy but also helps children express their creativity and learn about the traditions of Thanksgiving. In this article, we’ve gathered the top 10 Thanksgiving crafts for kids that are easy, educational, and sure to bring a festive touch to your holiday celebrations.

From adorable turkey decorations to gratitude-themed projects, these crafts will provide hours of enjoyment and create lasting memories for your family. At WoodWander Manufacturing, we believe in inspiring creativity and imagination in children, and these Thanksgiving crafts are a perfect way to do just that.

1. DIY Book Nook

A DIY Book Nook is a delightful and educational Thanksgiving craft that kids will love. These miniature book dioramas can be decorated to reflect a cozy Thanksgiving scene, complete with tiny turkeys, fall leaves, and festive decorations.

Materials Needed:

• Small wooden box or cardboard box
• Paints and brushes
• Craft paper and cardstock
• Miniature decorations (turkeys, pumpkins, leaves)
• Glue and scissors
• LED fairy lights (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Box: Start by painting the inside and outside of the box with festive fall colors. Let it dry completely.
2. Create the Scene: Cut out and decorate pieces of craft paper and cardstock to create the background and floor of the book nook. You can design a cozy living room, a rustic barn, or an outdoor harvest scene.
3. Add Miniatures: Glue miniature turkeys, pumpkins, and leaves inside the box to bring your scene to life. Arrange them creatively to make the nook look inviting.
4. Lighting (Optional): For an extra touch, you can add LED fairy lights to illuminate the book nook. Simply place the lights around the edges or inside the scene.
5. Finish Up: Once everything is glued and dried, place the book nook on a bookshelf or a mantel as a charming Thanksgiving decoration.

At WoodWander Manufacturing, we offer custom DIY Book Nook kits that include all the materials and miniatures you'll need to create a stunning Thanksgiving scene. Our kits are designed to make crafting easy and enjoyable for kids and parents alike. Visit our website to explore our selection and start your creative journey today!

2. Handprint Turkey Placemats

Handprint Turkey Placemats are a fun and personalized Thanksgiving craft that kids will enjoy making and using. These placemats add a festive touch to your Thanksgiving table and can be cherished as keepsakes for years to come.

Materials Needed:

• Large sheets of construction paper or cardstock
• Washable paints in fall colors (brown, red, orange, yellow)
• Paintbrushes
• Black marker
• Glue
• Scissors
• Laminating sheets (optional)

Instructions:

1. Create the Handprint Turkeys: Have the kids paint their hands with different colors for the turkey's body and feathers. Press their painted hands firmly onto the construction paper to create handprint turkeys. Let the paint dry completely.
2. Add Details: Once the handprints are dry, use a black marker to draw eyes, beak, and legs on the turkey. You can also add a wattle using red paint or marker.
3. Decorate the Placemats: Encourage the kids to decorate the rest of the placemat with fall-themed drawings or stickers. They can add leaves, pumpkins, or any other Thanksgiving symbols they like.
4. Laminate (Optional): For durability, you can laminate the placemats. Place each decorated sheet in a laminating pouch and run it through a laminator. This step is optional but will make the placemats last longer.
5. Set the Table: Use the finished placemats to set your Thanksgiving table. Each child can be proud to see their personalized creations being used during the holiday meal.

This craft is not only fun but also helps kids develop their fine motor skills and creativity. Plus, it provides a wonderful way to involve children in the Thanksgiving preparations and make them feel special.

3. Pine Cone Turkeys

Pine Cone Turkeys are an adorable and easy Thanksgiving craft that kids will love making. These cute decorations can be displayed around the house to add a festive touch to your Thanksgiving decor.

Materials Needed:

• Pine cones
• Colored craft feathers
• Googly eyes
• Craft foam or felt (for the beak and wattle)
• Glue gun or craft glue
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pine Cones: Start by cleaning the pine cones to remove any dirt or debris. Let them dry completely if they are damp.
2. Attach the Feathers: Glue the colored feathers to the back of the pine cone to create the turkey's tail. You can use a variety of fall colors to make it vibrant and festive.
3. Add the Eyes: Glue the googly eyes near the top front of the pine cone. Make sure they are securely attached.
4. Create the Beak and Wattle: Cut out a small triangle from the craft foam or felt for the beak, and a small, curved shape for the wattle. Glue these pieces below the eyes on the pine cone.
5. Finish Up: Allow all the glued parts to dry completely. Once dry, place the Pine Cone Turkeys around your home or use them as table decorations for your Thanksgiving meal.

Pine Cone Turkeys are a fantastic way for kids to connect with nature and get creative. They make great handmade decorations that can be used year after year, and the process of making them provides a fun and engaging activity for the whole family.

4. Paper Plate Pilgrim Hats

Paper Plate Pilgrim Hats are a simple and educational Thanksgiving craft that helps kids learn about the history of the holiday while creating fun and wearable accessories. These hats can be worn during Thanksgiving celebrations or used as decorations.

Materials Needed:

• Large paper plates
• Black paint or black construction paper
• Yellow and black construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Stapler (optional)
• Paintbrushes (if using paint)

Instructions:

1. Paint the Plates: If using white paper plates, start by painting them black. Let the paint dry completely. If you prefer, you can use black construction paper to cover the plates instead.
2. Cut Out the Hat Shape: Once the plates are dry, cut out the center of the plate, leaving a wide rim to form the brim of the hat. Make sure the remaining part is large enough to fit a child's head.
3. Create the Hat Band: Cut a strip of black construction paper to fit around the base of the hat's crown (the inner circle you cut out). Glue this strip in place.
4. Add the Buckle: Cut a small square from yellow construction paper and a slightly smaller square from black construction paper. Glue the black square in the center of the yellow square to create a buckle. Attach the buckle to the front of the hat band.
5. Assemble the Hat: If needed, staple or glue the hat band securely to ensure it stays in place. Ensure the hat fits comfortably on the child's head.

These Paper Plate Pilgrim Hats are not only fun to make but also provide a great way to discuss the history and traditions of Thanksgiving with children. They can wear their creations proudly during the holiday and even use them in a Thanksgiving play or skit.

5. 3D Pop-Up Thanksgiving Card

Creating a 3D Pop-Up Thanksgiving Card is a wonderful way for kids to express their gratitude and creativity. These cards can be given to family members and friends, adding a personal touch to Thanksgiving greetings.

Materials Needed:

• Cardstock (various colors)
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Markers or colored pencils
• Ruler
• Pencil

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Card Base: Fold a piece of cardstock in half to create the base of your card. Choose a color that will serve as a nice background for your pop-up elements.
2. Create the Pop-Up Elements: On a separate piece of construction paper, draw and cut out Thanksgiving-themed shapes such as turkeys, pumpkins, leaves, and cornucopias. Make sure these elements are small enough to fit inside the card when it is closed.
3. Make the Pop-Up Mechanism: Open the card base. Using a ruler and pencil, draw two parallel lines (about 1 inch apart) from the fold towards the center of the card. Cut along these lines to create a tab, and then fold the tab inward to create a pop-up platform.
4. Attach the Pop-Up Elements: Glue your cut-out shapes to the front of the pop-up tab. Make sure they are securely attached and that the card can still close properly with the elements inside.
5. Decorate the Card: Use markers or colored pencils to add details and messages to the card. You can write a Thanksgiving greeting, draw additional decorations, or add stickers to enhance the design.
6. Finish Up: Let all the glue and decorations dry completely. Once everything is set, your 3D Pop-Up Thanksgiving Card is ready to be given to someone special.

These 3D Pop-Up Cards are a fantastic way for kids to practice their artistic skills while creating meaningful, heartfelt gifts. They also provide a fun and engaging activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

6. Thanksgiving Garland

Creating a Thanksgiving Garland is a fun and engaging craft that can brighten up any space with festive flair. Kids will enjoy making these colorful decorations that can be hung across mantels, doorways, or windows.

Materials Needed:

• Construction paper or cardstock in fall colors (red, orange, yellow, brown)
• String or twine
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• Hole punch
• Markers or crayons
• Leaf, pumpkin, and turkey templates (optional)

Instructions:

1. Create the Shapes: Draw or use templates to trace and cut out shapes like leaves, pumpkins, and turkeys from the construction paper. Make enough shapes to cover the length of the garland you want to create.
2. Decorate the Shapes: Use markers or crayons to add details to your cut-out shapes. You can draw veins on the leaves, faces on the pumpkins, and details on the turkeys.
3. Punch Holes: Use a hole punch to make a hole at the top of each shape. This is where you will thread the string or twine.
4. Thread the Garland: Cut a length of string or twine to the desired length of your garland. Thread the string through the holes in each shape, spacing them out evenly.
5. Secure the Shapes: Use a small piece of tape or a dot of glue on the back of each shape to keep them in place on the string.
6. Hang the Garland: Once all the shapes are attached and spaced evenly, find a spot to hang your garland. You can drape it across a mantel, along a banister, or over a doorway.

Thanksgiving Garlands are a simple yet festive way to involve kids in holiday decorating. This craft helps develop fine motor skills and creativity while adding a personal touch to your home’s holiday decor.

7. Gratitude Tree

A Gratitude Tree is a meaningful Thanksgiving craft that encourages kids to think about what they are thankful for. This project creates a beautiful and interactive display that can be a centerpiece for your Thanksgiving celebration.

Materials Needed:

• Large sheet of paper or poster board
• Brown construction paper or cardstock
• Construction paper in fall colors (red, orange, yellow, green)
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• Markers or crayons

Instructions:

1. Create the Tree Trunk: Cut out a tree trunk and branches from the brown construction paper or cardstock. Glue or tape the trunk to the large sheet of paper or poster board.
2. Make the Leaves: Cut out leaf shapes from the colored construction paper. Make enough leaves for each family member to have several.
3. Write Gratitude Messages: Have each family member write something they are thankful for on each leaf. Encourage kids to think about both big and small things they appreciate.
4. Attach the Leaves: Glue or tape the leaves to the branches of the tree. Arrange them in a way that makes the tree look full and vibrant.
5. Decorate the Background: Use markers or crayons to add additional decorations to the background, such as a sun, clouds, or grass.
6. Display the Gratitude Tree: Find a prominent place in your home to display the Gratitude Tree. It can serve as a daily reminder of the things your family is thankful for.

The Gratitude Tree is more than just a craft; it’s an exercise in mindfulness and appreciation. It helps kids (and adults) reflect on the positive aspects of their lives and share their gratitude with others, making it a perfect activity for the Thanksgiving season.

These engaging Thanksgiving crafts not only provide hours of fun but also create lasting memories and meaningful decorations for your holiday celebrations. From Handprint Turkey Placemats to Gratitude Trees, each project offers a unique way for kids to connect with the spirit of Thanksgiving. Gather your materials, involve the whole family, and start crafting together today — let these creative activities inspire gratitude and joy in your home this Thanksgiving season!