Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for families to come together, reflect on what they’re grateful for, and enjoy the company of loved ones. What better way to make lasting memories than through creative and fun crafts? Whether you’re looking to keep your kids busy while you prepare the big feast or you want to add a personal touch to your Thanksgiving decor, these simple craft ideas are sure to bring joy to your home. Here are a few fun Thanksgiving craft ideas that are perfect for the whole family:

1. Thankful Tree

A Thankful Tree is a meaningful and interactive craft that can help teach children about gratitude while also being a great decoration for the dinner table.

Materials:

  • Brown construction paper or cardboard
  • Scissors
  • Tape or glue
  • Small pieces of paper (in various colors)
  • Markers or crayons

Instructions:

  1. Start by cutting out the shape of a tree trunk and branches from the brown paper. You can either use a single large piece for the trunk and branches or create several smaller branches for a more detailed look.
  2. Tape or glue the tree to a wall or large poster board.
  3. Have your kids cut out small leaves from colorful paper.
  4. Write one thing they’re thankful for on each leaf.
  5. Attach the leaves to the branches using tape or glue.

This is a great way to encourage kids to think about what they’re grateful for while also creating a beautiful seasonal decoration!  Kids can also use real leaves but make sure they dry overnight, and they are big enough to write on.  

2. Handprint Turkey

A handprint turkey is a classic and easy craft that will create a treasured keepsake for years to come.

Materials:

  • Paper (white or colored)
  • Brown, red, yellow, orange, and green markers or paints
  • Scissors
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. Have your child place their hand flat on a piece of paper and trace around their hand with a brown marker or paint.
  2. Once the handprint is dry, use colored markers or paints to add the turkey’s beak, eyes, and feet at the bottom of the palm.
  3. Then, cut out the handprint and add feathers by drawing or cutting out colorful shapes like leaves or ovals, attaching them around the wrist area.
  4. For an extra touch, have your child write something they’re thankful for on each of the “feathers.”

This is a great craft for younger children and will make a meaningful addition to your Thanksgiving decorations.

3. Thanksgiving Placemats

Let your kids create their own custom placemats that they can proudly use on the Thanksgiving dinner table.

Materials:

  • White or colored paper
  • Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
  • Stickers or stamps
  • Clear contact paper (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Provide each child with a large piece of paper as the base for their placemat.
  2. Let them decorate the placemat with Thanksgiving-themed drawings, such as pumpkins, turkeys, fall leaves, or even handprints.
  3. Once they finish decorating, you can laminate the placemats by placing them between two sheets of clear contact paper. Alternatively, you can use a laminating machine if you have one.
  4. Once laminated, these placemats can be used year after year and make a personal touch at the dinner table.

4. Turkey Cupcakes

This one is both a craft and a treat! Let your kids decorate cupcakes to look like little turkeys.

Materials:

  • Cupcakes (homemade or store-bought)
  • Frosting (in brown, orange, and yellow)
  • Candy eyes
  • Candy corn (for feathers and beaks)
  • Pretzels (for the turkey’s legs)

Instructions:

  1. Frost the cupcakes with a smooth layer of brown frosting to create the body of the turkey.
  2. Use candy corn to create the turkey’s feathers by sticking them into the frosting around the edges.
  3. Add a small piece of candy corn as the turkey’s beak and attach two candy eyes.
  4. For the turkey’s legs, break a pretzel stick into two parts and stick them into the bottom of the cupcake.

These turkey cupcakes are a fun way to get your little ones involved in Thanksgiving preparations, and they’ll love eating their creations afterward!

5. Gratitude Jar

This craft helps kids practice gratitude while making a fun decoration for your home.

Materials:

  • A mason jar or any clear jar
  • Small pieces of paper
  • Markers or pens
  • Ribbon or string for decoration

Instructions:

  1. Decorate the jar with ribbon or stickers to give it a festive touch.
  2. Cut the paper into small strips and encourage your children to write something they are thankful for each day leading up to Thanksgiving.
  3. Place the strips of paper into the jar.
  4. On Thanksgiving Day, you can read the thankful notes aloud during your meal.

This simple yet meaningful craft encourages reflection and can help you remember the special moments throughout the year

Thanksgiving is about coming together as a family, sharing a meal, and expressing gratitude. Crafting together is a wonderful way to bond and celebrate the season. Whether you’re making a Thankful Tree or handprint turkeys, these crafts will bring smiles and laughter to your holiday festivities. So, gather your supplies and get ready to make this Thanksgiving a little more creative and a lot more fun!  Happy Holidays!