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If you’re looking for ways to keep little hands busy before the big Thanksgiving meal, these easy projects are exactly what you need. These Thanksgiving crafts for kids are fun, simple, and use materials you probably already have—paper, glue, paint, and a little imagination. From handprint turkeys to thankful trees, these DIY projects spark creativity while teaching gratitude and holiday spirit. Whether you’re crafting at home or in the classroom, each idea below comes with easy steps and affordable supplies you can grab online or at the dollar store.
1. Paper Plate Turkey Craft
Why it’s fun:
This classic Thanksgiving craft for kids turns a basic paper plate into a colorful turkey masterpiece. It’s easy enough for preschoolers but fun for older kids who want to experiment with paint or patterns.
How to make it:
- Cut a paper plate in half to form the turkey’s body.
- Have your child paint the plate brown and let it dry.
- Cut out feather shapes from colorful construction paper (red, orange, yellow, green).
- Glue the feathers around the back curve of the plate.
- Add googly eyes, a paper beak, and a small red “wattle” under the beak.
- Optional: Use markers or paint to decorate the feathers with patterns or words of gratitude.
Pro Tips:
- Use textured craft paper or felt for feathers to give it a more tactile look.
- If you’re doing this in a classroom, pre-cut the shapes to save time.
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2. Thankful Tree Craft
Why it’s fun:
The Thankful Tree is a heartfelt Thanksgiving craft that helps kids reflect on what they’re grateful for while creating something beautiful to display. It’s simple, decorative, and doubles as a meaningful centerpiece for your dinner table.
How to make it:
- Gather a few small tree branches from your yard (or use faux ones from a craft store).
- Place the branches in a mason jar, vase, or small pot filled with pebbles or dried beans for stability.
- Cut leaf shapes from colorful cardstock or craft paper in fall tones—orange, gold, red, and brown.
- Punch a small hole in each leaf and tie a piece of string or twine to hang them.
- Have each child write one thing they’re thankful for on each leaf, then hang them on the branches.
- Display your tree on a console table, kitchen island, or as part of your Thanksgiving centerpiece.
Pro Tips:
- Use metallic markers for an elevated look on darker paper.
- Add mini fairy lights to make your tree glow during dinner.
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3. Handprint Turkey Art
Why it’s fun:
Handprint turkeys are a timeless Thanksgiving craft for kids and a sweet keepsake for parents. It’s creative, personal, and easy enough for preschoolers while still letting older kids explore patterns and color blends.
How to make it:
- Have your child trace their hand on a sheet of white or tan cardstock.
- Cut out the handprint shape—this will be the turkey’s body and feathers.
- Use brown paint or crayons to color the palm (body) and bright colors like red, orange, yellow, and green for the fingers (feathers).
- Glue on googly eyes, a paper beak, and a red paper wattle.
- Write the child’s name and the year at the bottom for a personal touch.
- Frame it or tape it on the fridge as a Thanksgiving keepsake.
Pro Tips:
- Use finger paints for toddlers to make it more sensory and fun.
- Create a “family flock” by tracing everyone’s hands in different sizes.
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4. DIY Pumpkin Pie Paper Garland
Why it’s fun:
This DIY Thanksgiving craft combines creativity with simple cutting and gluing, resulting in a cheerful garland that looks like slices of pumpkin pie. It’s perfect for preschoolers and elementary kids and makes adorable homemade décor for the classroom or kitchen.
How to make it:
- Cut orange triangles from construction paper for the pumpkin pie slices.
- Use light brown paper to cut out crust strips slightly wider than each triangle base.
- Glue the crust pieces to the triangles, overlapping slightly.
- Add a small white pom-pom or cotton ball on top to represent whipped cream.
- Punch holes in the top corners of each slice and string them onto twine.
- Hang the garland on a mantel, doorway, or wall for a festive touch.
Pro Tips:
- Use textured cardstock for the crust to mimic a real pie look.
- Add glitter accents on the edges for extra sparkle.
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5. Toilet Paper Roll Pilgrims and Turkeys
Why it’s fun:
Toilet paper roll crafts are always a hit because they turn everyday recyclables into something creative and cute. These Thanksgiving crafts for kids let them make their own mini turkeys or pilgrims, perfect for decorating a holiday table or shelf.
How to make it:
- Collect clean, empty toilet paper rolls — one per character.
- For turkeys: Wrap each roll in brown construction paper. Cut out and glue colorful feather shapes to the back. Add googly eyes, a beak, and a wattle.
- For pilgrims: Wrap rolls in black or blue paper. Use white paper to create collars and add small paper hats. Draw or glue on facial features.
- For extra fun, stuff the rolls with tissue paper or treats before sealing the bottom.
- Line them up as part of your Thanksgiving centerpiece or along a windowsill.
Pro Tips:
- Use felt scraps or fabric for pilgrim hats to give them texture.
- Mix matte and glossy paper for a more dimensional look.
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6. Leaf Rubbing Art Project
Why it’s fun:
This classic fall activity brings nature and creativity together. Kids get to collect their favorite leaves, explore textures, and watch beautiful patterns appear like magic. It’s one of the easiest DIY Thanksgiving crafts for preschoolers or younger kids.
How to make it:
- Go outside and gather a handful of leaves in different shapes and sizes.
- Place a leaf upside down on a flat surface with the veins facing up.
- Lay a sheet of white paper over the leaf.
- Gently rub a crayon or colored pencil sideways across the paper until the leaf’s texture shows through.
- Repeat with different colors and leaves to create a full fall collage.
- Mount the finished artwork on colored cardstock or hang it on the fridge.
Pro Tips:
- Use autumn-toned crayons like red, orange, gold, and brown for a seasonal palette.
- Spray lightly with hairspray to keep the crayon from smudging.
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7. Felt Turkey Finger Puppets
Why it’s fun:
These adorable felt turkey finger puppets are equal parts craft and playtime. Kids can make them before dinner, then put on a Thanksgiving puppet show afterward. It’s an easy, low-mess project that encourages creativity and imagination.
How to make it:
- Cut out two identical turkey body shapes from brown felt for each puppet.
- Use small scraps of felt in red, orange, and yellow to create feathers, a beak, and a wattle.
- Glue or sew the pieces onto one of the body cutouts.
- Add googly eyes and decorate with fabric markers if desired.
- Glue the second body piece behind the first, leaving the bottom open for a finger pocket.
- Let it dry completely before playtime.
Pro Tips:
- Use fabric glue instead of hot glue for safer crafting with kids.
- Try stiff felt sheets so the puppets hold their shape.
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8. DIY Corn Cob Painting Activity
Why it’s fun:
This Thanksgiving-inspired art project lets kids explore colors and textures while celebrating harvest season. Instead of using a brush, they’ll paint using real corn cobs — the results are colorful, abstract, and full of fall vibes.
How to make it:
- Grab a few dried or fresh corn cobs (you can remove kernels if needed).
- Pour washable paint onto paper plates or trays — choose fall colors like orange, gold, and brown.
- Roll the corn cobs through the paint, then roll them across paper or cardstock to create textured patterns.
- Let the prints dry, then use them as placemats or wall art.
- For variety, try stamping with the end of the cob for polka-dot effects.
Pro Tips:
- Use textured paper to make the prints more defined.
- Mix metallic paint with regular colors for a subtle shimmer.
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9. Thanksgiving Gratitude Jar
Why it’s fun:
The Gratitude Jar is a meaningful Thanksgiving craft that teaches kids the power of reflection. It’s simple, decorative, and becomes a family tradition you can bring back year after year. Each note inside turns into a small reminder of thankfulness.
How to make it:
- Start with a clean mason jar or small glass container.
- Have kids decorate the outside using stickers, paint pens, or ribbons.
- Cut strips of paper or cardstock in fall colors — orange, brown, and yellow.
- Each day leading up to Thanksgiving, have your child write one thing they’re thankful for and place it in the jar.
- On Thanksgiving Day, read them aloud as a family.
Pro Tips:
- Use vellum paper for a soft, frosted look on your jar.
- Add a tag label or mini chalkboard sign reading “Gratitude Jar.”
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10. Popsicle Stick Scarecrow
Why it’s fun:
This charming Thanksgiving craft for kids combines creativity and construction. Using popsicle sticks, kids can build their own mini scarecrow to display on the mantel or give as a handmade gift. It’s colorful, easy to assemble, and great for strengthening fine motor skills.
How to make it:
- Line up six popsicle sticks side by side vertically and glue a seventh stick diagonally across the top to create the hat brim.
- Paint the hat area brown or black and the face section beige or peach.
- Once dry, glue on googly eyes, draw a stitched smile, and add an orange triangle nose.
- Decorate the hat with a piece of fabric scrap or a paper flower.
- Glue or tape a small magnet on the back if you want to use it as fridge decor.
Pro Tips:
- Use mini popsicle sticks for smaller versions.
- Add raffia or straw under the hat for authentic scarecrow hair.
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11. Thankful Wreath Craft
Why it’s fun:
This Thanksgiving wreath craft helps kids combine creativity and gratitude into one festive decoration. It’s made from simple materials like paper and cardboard but looks surprisingly stylish once finished. Every leaf holds a reason to be thankful — making it both beautiful and meaningful.
How to make it:
- Cut the center out of a paper plate or trace a large circle onto cardboard to make your wreath base.
- Cut leaf shapes from construction paper in classic fall colors — red, orange, yellow, and brown.
- Have kids write something they’re thankful for on each leaf.
- Glue the leaves around the ring until the wreath looks full and layered.
- Add a loop of twine or ribbon at the top for hanging.
Pro Tips:
- Use metallic markers or gold pens for the lettering.
- Try adding felt leaves for extra texture.
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12. Painted Pinecone Turkeys
Why it’s fun:
This Thanksgiving craft turns nature into art. With a few pinecones, paint, and paper, kids can create adorable turkey decorations for your dinner table or mantel. It’s easy, inexpensive, and gives kids a chance to explore color and texture in a fun way.
How to make it:
- Collect pinecones and let them dry completely if gathered outdoors.
- Paint the edges of the pinecone scales in bright fall colors — red, orange, yellow, and gold — to mimic feathers.
- Cut out a small paper or felt face with a beak and wattle, then glue it to the pointed end of the pinecone.
- Add googly eyes and let it dry.
- Place your finished turkeys on mini wood slices or cardstock circles for stability.
Pro Tips:
- Use metallic or pearl-finish paints for a polished look.
- For younger kids, skip the paint and use pre-colored craft feathers instead.
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13. Thanksgiving Napkin Rings
Why it’s fun:
This craft turns your child’s creativity into part of your Thanksgiving table decor. These DIY napkin rings are simple, cute, and customizable — plus, they give kids a sense of pride when everyone uses their creations during dinner.
How to make it:
- Cut empty paper towel or toilet paper tubes into 1.5-inch rings.
- Wrap each ring in colored paper, burlap, or twine, securing with glue or tape.
- Decorate with paper leaves, buttons, mini pinecones, or ribbon bows.
- Write each guest’s name on the front for a personal touch.
- Slip a folded napkin through each ring and place them on the table.
Pro Tips:
- Use neutral tones like tan, gold, or ivory for a sophisticated look.
- Add a few drops of cinnamon or clove essential oil for a subtle scent.
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14. Simple Paper Bag Turkey Puppets
Why it’s fun:
This craft combines art and storytelling, letting kids turn lunch bags into adorable talking turkeys. It’s a hit for preschoolers and great for post-dinner puppet shows or classroom Thanksgiving lessons.
How to make it:
- Start with a plain brown paper lunch bag — this will be your puppet base.
- Cut feather shapes from colored construction paper in red, orange, yellow, and green.
- Glue the feathers to the back of the bag so they stick out above the fold.
- On the flap, glue googly eyes, a paper beak, and a red paper wattle.
- Let the kids draw extra details or decorate with markers and stickers.
- Once dry, slip your hand inside and bring the turkey to life!
Pro Tips:
- Use colored lunch bags for a fun variation.
- Reinforce the bag flap with a small strip of cardstock if kids will use it often.
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15. DIY “Thankful For You” Cards
Why it’s fun:
These handmade Thanksgiving cards let kids show gratitude to family, teachers, or friends in a creative way. It’s a heartwarming project that doubles as both a craft and a kindness activity — simple enough for all ages and perfect for Thanksgiving week.
How to make it:
- Fold cardstock or blank note cards in half to create a card base.
- Use markers, stickers, and stamps to decorate the front with fall-themed designs — leaves, pumpkins, or turkeys.
- Inside, have your child write a message starting with “I’m thankful for you because…”
- For extra charm, glue on fabric scraps, buttons, or paper cutouts for dimension.
- Let the cards dry, then pair them with small treats or place them on dinner plates as surprises for guests.
Pro Tips:
- Use kraft paper cards for a rustic look.
- Add gold gel pens or metallic stickers for sparkle.
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Thanksgiving crafts aren’t just about keeping kids busy — they’re about creating moments of connection, gratitude, and laughter. From handprint turkeys to gratitude jars, each project on this list turns simple materials into meaningful memories. Whether you’re crafting as a family or setting up a classroom station, these ideas prove that creativity doesn’t have to be complicated to be special.
So grab your paper, glue, and paint — and make this Thanksgiving one to remember. When the glue dries and the colors fade, what sticks around is the joy of making something together.
Ready for your next holiday project? Check out 15 Christmas Craft Ideas to Make and Sell in 2025 for even more festive DIY inspiration.
