Thanksgiving Crafts to Make with Kids

Thanksgiving, a time for family, food, and frantically cleaning the house before guests arrive. But before the turkey’s in the oven and the relatives are knocking at the door, why not gather the kiddos for some crafty fun? These Thanksgiving crafts are the perfect way to keep little hands busy and create adorable decorations that would make any grandma proud.

Handprint Turkey Art
Pinecone Place Card Holders
Paper Plate Pilgrim Hats
Leaf Lanterns
Thankful Tree
Cornucopia Crafts
Pumpkin Seed Mosaics
Feathered Friends Garland

Listen up, folks. The holidays are a marathon, not a sprint. Between prepping the perfect Thanksgiving feast and keeping the peace at the dinner table, you’re going to need some serious distractions for the kids. So, let’s dive into these easy and fun Thanksgiving crafts that will keep them entertained and giggling while you juggle the culinary chaos.

If you would like some inspiration for DIY Thanksgiving Decor, or a fresh take on Thanksgiving sides, check out those links after you finish this article.

Handprint Turkey Art

Nothing says “I love you” quite like a child’s handprint transformed into a turkey. Seriously, it’s like the Mona Lisa of kid crafts.

Instructions:

Grab some construction paper in festive colors.
Trace your kiddo’s hand onto the paper. The fingers are the feathers, the thumb is the turkey’s head. Genius, right?
Cut out the handprint and glue it onto another piece of paper.
Add googly eyes, a beak, and wattle (that floppy red thing under the beak) to bring your turkey to life.

Pro tip: This craft pairs well with a side of nostalgia and a dash of “remember when you were this small?”

Pinecone Place Card Holders

Class up your Thanksgiving table with these charming pinecone place card holders. They’re rustic, they’re chic, and best of all, they involve a walk outside to collect materials—hello, energy burn-off!

Instructions:

Go on a pinecone hunt. Try not to let the kids bring home every rock and stick they find.
Clean the pinecones (a.k.a. shake off the dirt and hope for the best).
Cut small rectangles of cardstock and write the names of your dinner guests.
Stick the cardstock into the pinecone scales so they stand up like little signs.

Decor tip: Spray the pinecones with a bit of gold or silver paint or dip the ends in glue and glitter for a touch of glam. Martha Stewart, eat your heart out.

Paper Plate Pilgrim Hats

These paper plate pilgrim hats are simple, quick, and make for great photo ops. Because nothing says “Thanksgiving” like a pilgrim hat on a toddler.

Instructions:

Cut the center out of a black paper plate.
Cut a rectangle from black construction paper to form the hat’s top and glue it to the plate ring.
Add a yellow buckle cut from construction paper to the base of the hat.

Photo tip: Have the kids wear their hats while you snap a few pics to send to the relatives. It’s like sending holiday cards, but without the hefty price tag and more hilarity.

Leaf Lanterns

These leaf lanterns are both magical and functional. Plus, they’re an excellent way to showcase your kid’s artistry during the big meal.

Instructions:

Collect a bunch of colorful fall leaves (the crunchier, the better).
Grab a clean jar and some Mod Podge (or watered-down glue if you’re feeling thrifty).
Brush the outside of the jar with glue and stick the leaves on, covering them with more glue.

Lighting tip: Pop a battery-operated or rechargeable tea light inside and watch as the lanterns glow with the warm hues of autumn. It’s practically Pinterest-perfect.

Thankful Tree

Nothing brings the family together like a Thankful Tree. It’s heartwarming, it’s decorative, and it’s a subtle way to remind everyone that there’s more to Thanksgiving than just food.

Instructions:

Find a branch that looks like it could double as a prop in a Tim Burton movie.
Stick it in a pot filled with rocks or sand to hold it upright.
Cut out leaf shapes from colored paper.
Have each family member write what they’re thankful for on a leaf and hang it on the tree.

Sentiment tip: Display this masterpiece prominently, so when Uncle Bob starts complaining about his fantasy football team, you can point to the tree and change the subject.

Cornucopia Crafts

Nothing says “bountiful harvest” like a cornucopia bursting with goodies. And nothing says “Thanksgiving craft” like making one out of paper.

Instructions:

Roll a piece of brown construction paper into a cone shape and tape it together.
Cut out various fruits and veggies from colored paper.
Stuff the paper fruits and veggies into the cone.

Fun fact: Explain to the kids that “cornucopia” comes from Latin and means “horn of plenty.” They’ll either be fascinated or give you a blank stare. Either way, you’ve done your educational duty for the day.

Pumpkin Seed Mosaics

Put those leftover pumpkin seeds to good use with these beautiful mosaics. It’s like a puzzle, but more crafty and less likely to end with a missing piece.

Instructions:

Clean and dry your pumpkin seeds.
Paint the seeds in various colors.
Draw a simple design on a piece of cardboard.
Glue the seeds onto the design to create a mosaic.

Artistic tip: Opt for simple shapes like pumpkins or leaves. Anything more complex and you might find yourself doing more gluing than you bargained for.

Feathered Friends Garland

Nothing brightens up a room like a colorful garland. This one’s made of paper birds, so it’s festive and feathery without the mess.

Instructions:

Cut bird shapes from various colors of construction paper.
Decorate the birds with markers, glitter, or whatever else you have lying around.
Punch a hole in each bird and thread them onto a string.

Decor tip: Hang this garland across the mantel, over doorways, or anywhere else that could use a splash of color.

This Thanksgiving, while you’re busy roasting, basting, and taste-testing, let the kids get creative with these fun and festive crafts. Or if you have any fun and creative ideas to entertain the little ones on this day of thanks, share those ideas too! I would love to see your Thanksgiving crafts come to life in the comments below!

From handprint turkeys to pinecone place card holders, there’s something here to keep every little artist entertained. Plus, you’ll end up with some adorable decorations to make your home feel extra cozy.

Gather your supplies, roll up those sleeves, and get ready for a crafty, laughter-filled holiday that even the stuffiest turkey will find hard to resist.

*Throws glitter into the air flamboyantly*

Happy Thanksgiving y’all

Anna