Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something. Please check out my full disclosure policy here.
Thanksgiving crafts do have a very real season, y’all. You can see them at all the schools, festivals, homes, churches, you name it.
But what about the moms who aren’t crafty? Should their kids miss out?
Thankfully, no.
My kids absolutely love crafts and beg me regularly for them.
Especially around this time of the year, there are so many cute Thanksgiving crafts for kids, I really want to oblige.
But I am not good at crafts.
As in, I don’t enjoy crafts (Thanksgiving crafts or not), and I wanna crawl in a hole whenever I am asked to participate.
I don’t particularly enjoy that kind of creativity and with lack of sleep, diapers to change and food to cook, I don’t often ponder upon the next Pinterest-worthy creation.
What I do enjoy though, is being with my kids when they make crafts. It’s priceless.
They always get so excited about painting or cutting or glitter glue. (oh. my. gosh. glitter glue is my worst enemy). And since I would do close to anything for my kids, we craft, occasionally.
It’s a great way to not only effortlessly learn but to connect with my kids as well.
I looked at many many different crafts and chose the very best Thanksgiving crafts for kids you’ll actually want to make, even if you are not the least bit crafty.
I know this because they are so cute, even I want to make them.
These Thanksgiving crafts for kids are simple, inexpensive and a variety of ages will have fun with them.
Enjoy!
15 THANKSGIVING CRAFTS FOR KIDS YOU’LL ACTUALLY WANT TO MAKE
I linked to various art supplies on Amazon for your convenience, but I am pretty sure the Dollar Store is the cheapest place to find everything you need for easy crafting.
1. Candy Corn Turkey
Image credit and tutorial: Crafty Morning.
Mix googly eyes, colored paper, and candy corn and have yourself a merry little an adorable Thanksgiving picture!
The kids can munch on some candy while making it and I think I will let them each name their turkey too. We love these scissors at our house, they make cutting very easy for kids.
2. Fork Painted Turkey
Image credit and tutorial: I Heart Arts N Crafts
I am so glad there are people who name their website about loving arts and crafts. They created these blogs to give me hope to find at least a few things I can somehow put together.
I loved this simple craft because it combines two kid favorites: squeezing out paint and messing with paint.
This set contains both yellow and orange colors and is washable. We have these tempera colors and though they are a bit more expensive, the bottles are large and the quality is nice.
3. Q-tip Tree
Image credit and picture tutorial:La classe della maestra Valentina.
I love this adorable tree that the kids can easily make to show the gorgeous colored leaves we see in Fall. (I can’t read Italian so I let the pictures speak for themselves)
All you need are q-tips, paper and fall paint colors. Easy-peasy.
I prefer putting messy artwork on these trays with raised sides, so the cleanup is a breeze.
4. Creative Place Mats
Image credit and printable: Ella Claire.
These are definitely going on the table this Thanksgiving. We will have 10 kids to keep busy (and somewhat quiet) during Thanksgiving Day family lunch…
They double as decor and I bet the kids will enjoy creating together. I will put an individual box of crayons out for everybody, to cut down on arguments.
5. Thankful Turkey
Image credit and tutorial: The Resourceful Mama.
This is one of my favorite Thanksgiving crafts because it really captures the essence of the holiday: to remember all that we have and give thanks.
And while the turkey is cute, I definitely would like my kids to focus on how blessed they are.
Another idea is to give turkeys to family members with the feathers expressing why the kids are thankful for them. I bet that would make everybody’s day.
6. Mayflower Craft
Image credit and printable: A Little Pinch of Perfect.
If you homeschool, and even if you don’t, this craft will help your kids learn about the Pilgrims’ ship and what it was like to travel for months to The New World.
Since Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday, it is important to tell kids how and why we began celebrating it.
Of course, other countries have harvest fests and fall celebrations, but America’s history was in the making when Pilgrims and Indians ate that first meal together after so much hardship.
7. Paper Strips Pumpkin
Image credit and full tutorial: Color The Moon.
This idea is so cute! Because it doesn’t (have to) involve cutting, even younger kids can enjoy creating. Just get their supplies completely ready for them so all they have to do is use that purple glue!
A spin-off of this idea is making thankful hearts. Cut out a heart shape instead of pumpkin and write what you are thankful for on the strips.
8. Fall Leaf Painting
Image credit and tutorial: Minne Mama.
Another craft that younger children can make as well, I love how it makes use of the pretty leaves kids love to find on walks.
It also looks sort of magical how you just paint over the leaf however you want and voila, looks like you drew a perfect fall leaf! I would definitely use cardstock papers for a more durable art.
9. Turkey Leaf Lanterns
Image credit and full tutorial: Rhythms Of Play.
This is one of those Thanksgiving crafts that requires a little more involvement but not overwhelmingly so.
It would be great for older (and possibly) more patient kids, like the teenager that never leaves her room. Plus the craft’s results are actually useful.
If you’d rather use silk leaves instead of real ones, you can get some here. They could be useful in more ways than one, like scattering them on the table or lay them on a plate and place candles on top.
Modge Podge isn’t that difficult to apply but the results are pretty amazing. Thanksgiving table lighting made by the kids? They will be proud!
10. Handmade Place Mats
Image credit and tutorial: Events to Celebrate.
I love these placemats because you can personalize them in a million ways and the kids’ creativity will really shine through.
Creating something for the Thanksgiving table will also help children feel that they play an important role in the family.
The tutorial recommends Kraft rolls, but if you have cardstock on hand that would probably work too.
You may decide to put this creation together over a course of several days. One day make/gather leaves, next day, paint the mats.
The third day, put the mats together, complete with stickers and write what you want on them.
11. Thanksgiving Mini Book
Image credit and printable: A Litte Pinch Of Perfect.
This mini book is perfect for beginning readers and preschoolers. The cute illustrations and easy-to-understand content help them learn about the first Thanksgiving.
I love that the kids can color their own books.
12. Popsicle Stick Pilgrim
Image credit and tutorial:Crafty Morning.
Popsicle sticks, cardboard, some markers and you have the supplies for this super easy and cute craft.
While the kids work on these, read them a book about the First Thanksgiving.
13. Pilgrim Hat
Image credit and tutorial: Modern Parents Messy Kids.
Even my 18 months old would LOVE to wear a Pilgrim hat like this!
Instead of the gold paint, as suggested, I would take the easy route and give the kids gold Sharpie markers.
14. Fall Leaves Wreath
Image credit: Events to Celebrate
This is another craft that gives children an opportunity to express their own creativity because there is no right or wrong way to do it.
I am imagining a nice walk in the crisp fall woods, collecting some leaves and go to town with glue once at home. (The liquid kind is probably better for delicate leaves)
I’d hang these over the mantel or above the windows for a simple display that honors not only the holiday but the kids who made it too.
15. Paper Bag Teepees
Image credit: Munchkins and Mayhem
There is no particular tutorial for this one, except grab a paper bag, tie the top with string, cut an opening and let the kids decorate the Indian teepees!
I am thinking about getting this Indian Toob , and maybe the Settlers one too, so my kids can play with the teepees.
I hope this serves as an inspiration on Thanksgiving Day!
If you want to find Thanksgiving decoration ideas, check out my post on gorgeous Thanksgiving decorations.
If you loved this post, please share it with your friends!
