23 Thanksgiving Crafts Ideas
Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie—it’s also about making your home feel warm, inviting, and full of gratitude.
While hosting a Thanksgiving dinner is already a big task, crafting simple and beautiful DIY projects can turn your gathering into something memorable.
1. Handprint Turkey Crafts
This one is a classic, but honestly—it never gets old. You’ll need construction paper, markers, and little hands willing to be traced. The child places their hand on paper, you trace around it, and voilà—you’ve got the body of a turkey.
What makes this so special isn’t the final look, but the memories it preserves. Every year, I trace my niece’s hands for this project, and we look back to see how much bigger her “turkey” has grown. It’s the kind of craft that doubles as a time capsule.
Pro tip: Use googly eyes and colorful feathers to make it pop instead of just crayons.
2. Mason Jar Centerpieces
If you’ve got a few mason jars lying around (and let’s be honest, most of us do), you can turn them into stunning Thanksgiving centerpieces. Fill them with acorns, mini pumpkins, pinecones, or even cinnamon sticks for a rustic vibe.
Add a bit of twine wrapped around the jar neck, slip in a tealight, and suddenly you’ve got something that looks like it came straight from Pinterest. It’s budget-friendly and reusable—perfect for someone who doesn’t want to spend big on décor.
3. Gratitude Tree
A gratitude tree is both meaningful and decorative. You just need some twigs in a vase (spray paint them gold if you’re feeling extra fancy) and paper cutouts shaped like leaves. Guests can write something they’re thankful for on a leaf and hang it on the tree.
When I hosted last year, I set up a gratitude tree in the entryway, and by the end of the night, it was bursting with heartfelt notes. It turned into a conversation starter and made everyone feel a little more connected.
4. Pinecone Turkeys
Nature walks become a craft supply hunt with this one. Collect some pinecones, add felt cutouts for feathers, a beak, and some googly eyes, and suddenly you’ve got adorable little turkeys.
These make perfect place card holders for your Thanksgiving table. Just attach a little name tag to the turkey’s “tail” and set it at each plate. It’s practical and festive.
5. Pumpkin Leaf Bowls
This one is a little messier but totally worth it. All you need is a balloon, Mod Podge, and artificial fall leaves. Inflate the balloon, brush Mod Podge over it, and layer the leaves until it looks covered. Once dry, pop the balloon and you’ve got a bowl made of leaves.
I tried this once, and while my first attempt collapsed into something that looked more like a sad tortilla, my second try worked beautifully. Lesson learned: don’t skimp on the Mod Podge.
6. Paper Bag Turkeys
Paper bags aren’t just for lunches—they can turn into quirky turkey puppets for kids. Add feathers, a beak, and eyes, and let kids put on a Thanksgiving puppet show while the adults sip on cider.
It’s simple, inexpensive, and perfect for keeping kids occupied while you cook.
7. Corn Husk Wreath
Nothing says fall like corn husks. You can either save husks from actual corn cobs or buy them dried from a craft store. Arrange them around a foam wreath form, glue them down, and add a burlap bow.
It looks rustic and elegant on the front door, and it holds up surprisingly well. Mine has survived three Thanksgivings already with just a little touch-up.
8. Candle Holders with Fall Leaves
You only need glass candle holders, Mod Podge, and pressed leaves for this project. Brush the leaves onto the glass with Mod Podge and let them dry. When lit, the candles give off a warm, glowing effect that feels like autumn bottled up.
It’s one of those crafts that looks like you bought it from an expensive home store, but you made it for pennies.
9. Felt Pumpkin Garland
Garlands are the unsung heroes of holiday décor. Cut out pumpkin shapes from orange felt, string them together with twine, and hang them across the mantel or dining room wall.
I once made this for my cousin’s apartment, and she ended up leaving it up until January. It’s cheerful, festive, and not too “in-your-face.”
10. Acorn Cap Candles
If you want something really unique, try making candles inside acorn caps. Melt some wax, pour it into the caps, and insert tiny wicks.
They don’t last very long, but they look charming as little table decorations. Bonus: they smell incredible if you mix in a bit of cinnamon or clove essential oil.
11. Kids’ Thankful Bracelets
Kids love crafts they can wear, and this one teaches gratitude too. Use elastic string and letter beads so kids can spell out what they’re thankful for—words like “FAMILY” or “LOVE.”
It’s fun, keeps little hands busy, and gives them something personal to take home.
12. Pumpkin Painted Rocks
Collect smooth rocks, paint them orange, and draw little pumpkin faces or designs. Scatter them on your table as decorations or hide them around the yard for a Thanksgiving-themed scavenger hunt.
When I tried this, the kids ended up painting a rock turkey with a neon mohawk. So yes, it gets silly, but that’s the charm.
13. Fabric Napkin Rings
All you need are strips of fabric (plaid looks amazing) and hot glue. Wrap the strips around cardboard tubes (yep, toilet paper rolls work perfectly) and secure. Slide them over napkins, and suddenly your table looks five-star ready.
This is one of those crafts that makes guests think you spent way more effort than you actually did.
14. Thankful Jar
Set out a jar with slips of paper and pens. Encourage guests to write something they’re thankful for and drop it in. At the end of the meal, read them aloud.
I’ve done this two years in a row, and every single time it sparks laughter, a few tears, and plenty of warm fuzzies.
15. Harvest Banner
Cut out triangles of burlap or cardstock, paint letters on them to spell “GIVE THANKS,” and string them together. Hang it above the dessert table or fireplace.
It adds a festive touch without being overwhelming, and you can reuse it year after year.
16. Paper Pumpkin Crafts
Fold strips of orange paper into a sphere shape and staple them together to create paper pumpkins. They’re lightweight, cute, and make for great kid-friendly centerpieces.
This is also one of the easiest classroom crafts for teachers who want something quick before the holiday break.
17. Wooden Block Pumpkins
Got some scrap wood lying around? Paint it orange, add a green stem on top, and you’ve got rustic wooden pumpkins.
I’ve seen people stack them, stencil words on them like “Grateful” or “Blessed,” or even make a whole pumpkin “family.” It’s farmhouse chic at its finest.
18. Thanksgiving Placemats
Let kids design their own placemats with paper, crayons, and stickers. If you want something more permanent, laminate them so they can be reused each year.
It’s both decoration and entertainment—you’ll get at least 20 minutes of quiet while the kids work on them.
19. Leaf Stamped Towels
Grab some plain white tea towels, dip real leaves into fabric paint, and press them onto the towels. The result? A one-of-a-kind autumn kitchen accessory.
I gave a set of these as a hostess gift once, and they got way more love than the wine I brought.
20. Pumpkin Spice Soap
Yes, you can actually make your own soap, and it’s easier than you think. Melt a soap base, mix in pumpkin spice fragrance oil, and pour into molds.
They make amazing handmade gifts for guests to take home, and your bathroom will smell like fall heaven.
21. Clothespin Turkeys
Clothespins + felt = instant cuteness. Glue on feathers, a beak, and eyes, and you’ve got turkeys that clip onto napkins, garlands, or even place cards.
It’s a small detail, but details matter—they’re like sprinkles on a cupcake.
22. Mini Pumpkin Vases
Hollow out mini pumpkins and drop in flowers like mums, sunflowers, or daisies. They make beautiful, natural vases that bring your Thanksgiving table to life.
I made these last year and guests couldn’t stop talking about them. The best part? They cost way less than buying store-bought floral arrangements.
23. Gratitude Table Runner
This is a project that grows over the years. Use a plain fabric table runner and fabric markers. Each year, have family members write what they’re thankful for directly on the runner.
Over time, it becomes a family keepsake that’s priceless. Imagine pulling it out 10 years from now and seeing little scribbles from when your kids were just learning to write.
Conclusion on 23 Thanksgiving Crafts Ideas
Thanksgiving crafts aren’t just about making things look pretty—they’re about creating traditions, sparking conversations, and making memories. From simple handprint turkeys that capture a child’s growth to elegant centerpieces that elevate your table, these 23 craft ideas offer something for everyone. Some are quick enough to whip up while the turkey roasts, while others can become yearly traditions you look forward to.
