20 Thanksgiving Crafts For Kids Ideas
Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. For kids, it’s also about laughter, memories, and yes—crafting their little hearts out while the adults hustle in the kitchen.
If you’re searching for ways to keep kids entertained and connected to the spirit of gratitude, then Thanksgiving crafts are your secret weapon. They keep small hands busy, spark creativity, and can even double as table décor or thoughtful gifts.
1. Handprint Turkey Art
Every parent secretly treasures those awkward little handprint crafts. A handprint turkey is simple: trace your child’s hand, use the thumb as the head and fingers as feathers, then let them color it in. Add googly eyes and a little beak for personality.
Not only is this quick, but it doubles as a keepsake to show just how tiny their hands were this year. My niece once made one where each feather had something she was thankful for written on it—talk about a tearjerker.
2. Pinecone Turkeys
Grab some pinecones from outside, add colorful paper feathers, and a little felt or paper face on the front. Boom—pinecone turkey décor. These look surprisingly cute as table centerpieces, and kids get to proudly say, “I made that!”
Tip: If you want to keep mess low, pre-cut the feathers. If you want to encourage creativity, let the kids design their own.
3. Paper Plate Cornucopias
A paper plate rolled into a cone instantly becomes a cornucopia. Kids can fill them with paper fruits, small snacks, or even tissue paper “food.” It’s simple, colorful, and a great way to teach kids about the history of the cornucopia while they craft.
Fun fact: In many cultures, cornucopias symbolize abundance and gratitude—perfect for Thanksgiving vibes.
4. Thankful Trees
Set up a branch in a vase (or even a stick from the backyard), then let kids cut out paper leaves. On each leaf, they write something they’re thankful for and hang it on the tree.
By dinner time, you’ll have a beautiful gratitude display. Plus, it helps kids actually think about what the holiday is all about beyond stuffing their faces with pie.
5. Pilgrim Hat Crayon Holders
This one is practical and fun: turn black cups upside down, glue a paper brim, and add a little yellow buckle. Now you’ve got pilgrim hat crayon holders for the kids’ table. They’ll look festive while keeping markers and crayons from rolling everywhere.
Trust me, parents will thank you for this clever little craft.
6. Leaf Rubbings
A classic that never gets old: place real leaves under paper and let kids rub crayons over the top. The textures that pop out are magical to them.
Pro tip: Collect leaves of different shapes and sizes, then encourage kids to turn them into turkeys, wreaths, or even placemats.
7. DIY Turkey Hats
Kids love dressing up, so give them a turkey hat made from a strip of paper for the headband and colorful feathers sticking out the back. Add a googly-eyed turkey face in the front, and suddenly you’ve got a table full of gobbling turkeys.
Warning: expect a lot of “gobble gobble” sound effects at the table.
8. Thankful Placemats
Use construction paper or poster board and let kids decorate their own placemats with drawings, stickers, or lists of things they’re thankful for.
Laminate them (or cover with clear contact paper), and they’ll survive spills and can even be reused next year.
9. Pumpkin Seed Mosaics
Instead of tossing pumpkin seeds after carving, dry them out and let kids paint them. They can then glue the colorful seeds into mosaic art pieces like turkeys, pumpkins, or leaves.
It’s a great way to sneak in a recycling lesson while also keeping kids busy.
10. Toilet Paper Roll Turkeys
Toilet paper rolls are the MVP of kids’ crafts. Wrap them in brown paper, glue on feathers (real, paper, or even colored tissue), and add a little turkey face.
Bonus: Write names on them and use them as place card holders for dinner.
11. Gratitude Journals
Hand kids a stack of paper, punch some holes, and tie it together with yarn. Let them decorate the cover and start a Thanksgiving gratitude journal.
Encourage them to write or draw one thing they’re thankful for each day until Christmas. It’s a craft that keeps on giving.
12. Indian Corn with Tissue Paper
Cut out a corn shape from cardboard, then have kids glue on scrunched-up tissue paper squares in different colors to represent the kernels. Add green paper husks at the top, and you’ve got a vibrant little corn craft.
This one is great for younger kids because it’s simple and tactile.
13. Pilgrim and Native American Puppets
Use popsicle sticks and paper cutouts to make pilgrim and Native American puppets. Kids can even act out a little Thanksgiving story with them while the food cooks.
This is both creative and a chance to sneak in a bit of history.
14. Thankful Wreaths
Cut a wreath shape out of cardboard and let kids glue leaves, feathers, or paper cutouts around it. Each item can have a word of gratitude written on it.
These make adorable decorations for doors or walls, and kids love seeing their craft displayed like real décor.
15. Acorn Cap Necklaces
If you’ve got a yard full of acorns, pop the caps off and glue them to beads or small round objects. String them on yarn for a rustic autumn necklace.
Not only does this teach fine motor skills, but it’s also surprisingly stylish for a kids’ craft.
16. Cupcake Liner Turkeys
Flatten colorful cupcake liners, layer them as feathers, and glue them behind a paper turkey body. Add a face, and you’ve got a super easy turkey craft.
This one is mess-free and perfect for preschoolers who can’t handle too much glue chaos.
17. DIY Place Cards
Give kids folded index cards and let them decorate place cards for each dinner guest. They can draw turkeys, pumpkins, or just write names in their wobbly handwriting.
Guests always melt when they see kids’ personal touch on the table.
18. Turkey Finger Puppets
Cut out tiny turkey shapes from felt or construction paper, glue them onto rings or small loops, and suddenly you’ve got turkey finger puppets.
These make great after-dinner entertainment when the grown-ups are still lingering over dessert.
19. Pumpkin Pie Paper Craft
Cut out paper triangles, add cotton balls for “whipped cream,” and glue them onto a paper plate slice by slice. Suddenly you’ve got a pumpkin pie craft that looks good enough to eat.
Kids love making “food” crafts, and this one ties directly to Thanksgiving dessert.
20. Feather Painting
Instead of brushes, give kids feathers to dip in paint. They can create abstract art, turkeys, or leaf designs using this unusual tool.
It’s messy, yes, but it also gives kids a new sensory experience and makes their artwork look unique.
Conclusion On 20 Thanksgiving Crafts For Kids Ideas
Thanksgiving crafts for kids aren’t just about cutting paper and gluing feathers. They’re about building traditions, keeping kids engaged, and creating little mementos that parents tuck away for years. Whether it’s a simple handprint turkey or a full-blown gratitude tree, each craft is a way for kids to connect with the holiday beyond just eating.
The best part? Most of these ideas use things you already have lying around the house—paper plates, toilet rolls, leaves, or pinecones. And that’s the beauty of it: kids don’t care if it’s Pinterest-perfect. They care that they got to sit, create, and be part of the celebration.
