10 Thanksgiving Crafts to Get Your Kids in the Holiday Spirit: Fun and Easy DIY Projects for Family Bonding

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it's the perfect time to get crafty with your kids. We've gathered some delightful project ideas to help your little ones embrace the spirit of gratitude and celebration.

These fun Thanksgiving crafts will not only keep your children entertained but also create lasting memories and foster their creativity. From adorable turkey-themed decorations to heartwarming gratitude activities, there's something for every age group and skill level. Let's explore some festive ways to get your kids excited about this special holiday.

1) Pinecone Turkeys

Let's kick off our Thanksgiving crafts with adorable pinecone turkeys! This classic project is perfect for kids of all ages and brings a touch of nature indoors.

We start by gathering pinecones from our backyard or local park. It's a fun excuse to take a family walk and enjoy the crisp autumn air.

Next, we'll need some colorful craft feathers, googly eyes, and a small piece of felt for the beak. Glue is essential, but let's supervise our little ones during this step.

To create our turkey, we attach the feathers to the wider end of the pinecone. This forms a beautiful, fanned-out tail. We then stick the googly eyes and felt beak to the opposite end.

For an extra festive touch, we can add a small ribbon around the turkey's "neck." This craft is not only fun but also makes for charming Thanksgiving table decorations.

Our pinecone turkeys are a great way to get kids excited about the holiday while fostering their creativity. Plus, it's an opportunity to talk about the season and what we're thankful for.

2) Paper Plate Pilgrim Hats

We love this classic craft that brings the Thanksgiving spirit to life! Paper plate pilgrim hats are simple to make and perfect for kids of all ages.

To start, gather white paper plates, black construction paper, scissors, and glue. Cut the center out of the paper plate, leaving a wide rim to form the brim of the hat.

Next, let's create the tall, cylindrical part of the hat. Roll a piece of black construction paper into a tube and secure it with glue. Attach this to the center of the paper plate brim.

For a finishing touch, cut a small square of yellow construction paper to make the buckle. Glue it onto the front of the hat.

Kids can wear their creations during Thanksgiving dinner or use them as festive decorations. This craft is not only fun but also educational, teaching children about the first Thanksgiving.

We find that making these hats often sparks conversations about history and gratitude. It's a wonderful way to connect with our little ones while getting into the holiday spirit.

3) Handprint Leaves

We love this classic Thanksgiving craft that brings out the artist in every child. Handprint leaves are simple to make and create a beautiful autumn display.

To start, we gather colorful construction paper in shades of red, orange, and yellow. We trace our little ones' hands onto the paper and carefully cut out the shapes.

Next, we use markers or crayons to add details like veins to our leaf-shaped handprints. For extra flair, we sometimes sprinkle glitter or add small stickers.

We can turn these handprint leaves into a festive garland by stringing them together. Alternatively, we arrange them on a poster board to create a vibrant "thankful tree."

This craft not only captures our children's growth over the years but also serves as a wonderful keepsake. We love displaying our handprint leaves around the house or using them as unique place cards for our Thanksgiving table.

4) Toilet Paper Roll Pumpkins

Let's turn empty toilet paper rolls into adorable pumpkins! This craft is perfect for little hands and uses materials we likely have at home already.

We'll need toilet paper rolls, orange paint, green pipe cleaners, and scissors. First, we'll help our kids paint the rolls orange and let them dry.

Next, we'll cut vertical slits around one end of each roll, about an inch deep. We'll gently bend these outward to create the pumpkin's shape.

For the stem, we'll twist a small piece of green pipe cleaner and poke it into the top. Our kids can add faces with markers if they'd like.

These cute pumpkins make great table decorations or can be strung together as a festive garland. It's a simple yet fun way to bring some autumn cheer into our homes.

5) Corn Husk Dolls

Corn husk dolls are a classic Thanksgiving craft that brings history to life. We love how these simple yet charming figurines connect our kids to Native American traditions.

To make corn husk dolls, we start by soaking corn husks in warm water until they're pliable. Then, we bundle a few husks together and tie them off to form the doll's body and head.

For arms, we roll up smaller husks and tuck them into the body. A bit of string or raffia works great for securing everything in place.

Our kids have a blast dressing up their dolls with colorful ribbons, feathers, or even tiny fabric scraps. It's amazing to see their creativity shine through as they personalize each doll.

This activity not only keeps little hands busy but also sparks conversations about harvest traditions and gratitude. We find it's a wonderful way to spend quality time together while getting into the Thanksgiving spirit.

6) Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree

A Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree is a fun and meaningful craft that brings the whole family together. We love this activity because it helps kids focus on the true spirit of the holiday.

To create your tree, start by gathering some branches from your yard or nearby park. Place them in a vase or pot filled with rocks for stability.

Next, cut out leaf shapes from colorful construction paper. Make sure to have plenty for everyone in the family. We recommend using fall colors like red, orange, and yellow.

Now comes the heartwarming part. Ask each family member to write something they're thankful for on a leaf. Encourage kids to think beyond material possessions and consider people, experiences, or simple joys.

As each person finishes writing, they can hang their leaf on the tree. Watch as your Gratitude Tree blossoms with love and appreciation.

This craft serves as a beautiful centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table. It's also a great conversation starter, allowing everyone to share their gratitude with each other.

7) Foam Leaf Wreaths

Foam leaf wreaths are a delightful Thanksgiving craft that combines creativity and simplicity. We love how these colorful decorations capture the essence of autumn while providing a fun activity for kids.

To create these wreaths, we start with foam wreath forms available at most craft stores. Kids can then cut leaf shapes from various colors of craft foam sheets. This step allows them to practice their scissor skills and explore different leaf designs.

Once the leaves are cut, children can decorate them using markers, glitter glue, or paint. It's a great opportunity for them to express their creativity and experiment with fall colors.

The next step involves attaching the leaves to the wreath form. We find that glue dots or a low-temperature glue gun (with adult supervision) works well for this purpose. Kids can arrange the leaves in patterns or create a more natural, scattered look.

As a finishing touch, we like to add a ribbon for hanging the wreath. This craft not only results in a beautiful decoration but also helps children develop fine motor skills and color recognition.

8) Turkey Finger Puppets

We love these adorable turkey finger puppets as a fun Thanksgiving craft for kids. They're simple to make and provide hours of imaginative play.

To create these feathered friends, gather some felt in various autumn colors, googly eyes, and glue. Cut small oval shapes for the bodies and feathers.

Next, help your little ones glue the pieces together, adding eyes and a beak. Once dry, they can slip their fingers inside to bring their turkeys to life.

These puppets are perfect for acting out Thanksgiving stories or creating silly turkey voices. Kids can even use them as festive decorations around the house.

We find this craft works well for a range of ages. Younger children might need help with cutting, while older kids can design more intricate feather patterns.

For an extra touch, consider adding some sparkly sequins or small pom-poms to jazz up the turkeys. The possibilities are endless with these charming little birds.

9) Pumpkin Pie Craft

Let's create a delightful pumpkin pie craft that's perfect for little hands! We'll need paper plates, orange and brown construction paper, scissors, glue, and crayons or markers.

First, we'll cut a triangular slice from the paper plate to form our pie shape. Next, we'll help our kids trace their hands on orange paper and cut out the shapes to make the "pumpkin filling."

We'll glue these orange handprints onto the plate, overlapping them slightly to cover the entire surface. For the crust, we'll cut a thin strip of brown paper and glue it around the edge of the plate.

To add some fun details, we can draw or cut out small white shapes to represent whipped cream dollops. We'll place these on top of our pumpkin handprints.

This craft not only looks adorable but also serves as a wonderful keepsake. We can write the child's name and the year on the back to preserve the memory.

10) Felt Acorn Garland

We love this charming DIY project that brings a touch of autumn into our homes. Felt acorn garlands are easy to make and perfect for getting kids involved in Thanksgiving decorating.

To start, we'll gather brown and tan felt, scissors, glue, and string. We'll cut acorn shapes from the brown felt and smaller oval "caps" from the tan felt.

Next, we'll help our little ones glue the caps onto the acorns. Once dry, we'll poke small holes in the tops of the acorns and thread them onto a long string.

This craft is great for developing fine motor skills and creativity. Our kids can decide on the pattern and spacing of the acorns along the string.

We can hang our finished garland across a mantel, doorway, or window. It's a festive addition that will have our children beaming with pride at their handiwork.

Benefits of Crafting During Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving crafts offer a wonderful opportunity for families to bond, spark creativity, and pass down cultural traditions. These activities can transform the holiday into a memorable and enriching experience for children and adults alike.

Enhancing Family Bonding

Crafting together during Thanksgiving brings us closer as a family. We create shared memories while working on projects side by side. It's a chance to put down our devices and engage in meaningful conversations.

Kids love showing off their creations to relatives, fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment. We can involve multiple generations, with grandparents sharing their skills and stories. This collaborative atmosphere strengthens family ties and creates lasting traditions.

Crafting also helps reduce holiday stress by providing a fun, relaxing activity for everyone. It's a great way to keep little hands busy while waiting for the turkey to cook!

Boosting Creativity in Kids

Thanksgiving crafts spark imagination and encourage creative thinking in children. They learn to express themselves through art, exploring colors, textures, and shapes. This process helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

We can introduce various materials and techniques, from painting to sculpting with clay. Kids learn problem-solving as they figure out how to bring their ideas to life. They gain confidence in their abilities with each completed project.

These activities also teach patience and perseverance. Children learn to follow instructions and see a project through from start to finish. These skills translate to other areas of their lives, boosting overall creativity and confidence.

Teaching Cultural Traditions

Through Thanksgiving crafts, we can pass down important cultural traditions to our children. We might create Native American-inspired art to discuss the holiday's origins. Or we could make pilgrim hats and talk about early American history.

Crafting offers a hands-on way to explore the meaning behind Thanksgiving symbols like turkeys, cornucopias, and autumn leaves. We can use this time to teach kids about gratitude, making thankfulness trees or gratitude jars.

These activities help children understand and appreciate their heritage. They learn about different cultures that contribute to the Thanksgiving story. By creating decorations and keepsakes, we instill a deeper connection to the holiday's significance in our kids.

Essential Supplies for Thanksgiving Crafts

Preparing for Thanksgiving crafts with kids requires the right tools and materials. We've compiled a list of must-have items to ensure your crafting sessions are fun and successful.

Must-Have Craft Tools

Every crafter needs a reliable set of tools. We recommend starting with child-safe scissors, as they're essential for cutting paper and fabric. Glue sticks are perfect for younger children, while older kids can use white craft glue for stronger bonds. Don't forget about paintbrushes in various sizes - they're great for applying paint and glue.

Markers, crayons, and colored pencils are staples for adding vibrant details to projects. We also suggest having a hole punch on hand for creating hanging decorations. Lastly, keep a craft mat or old newspapers nearby to protect your workspace from messes.

Recommended Materials

For Thanksgiving-themed crafts, we love using construction paper in fall colors like orange, brown, and yellow. Felt sheets are versatile and perfect for creating texture in projects. Pipe cleaners can be bent into various shapes, making them ideal for 3D crafts.

Googly eyes add a fun touch to turkey crafts, while feathers are great for creating realistic-looking birds. We also recommend keeping a stash of pom-poms, sequins, and glitter for adding sparkle and dimension to your creations.

Natural materials like pinecones, acorns, and dried leaves can bring an authentic autumn feel to your projects. Don't forget about recycled items - empty toilet paper rolls make excellent turkey bodies!

Tips for a Successful Crafting Session

Crafting with kids can be a fun and rewarding experience. We've gathered some practical advice to help make your Thanksgiving craft session enjoyable for everyone involved.

Setting Up a Crafting Space

We recommend designating a specific area for crafting. Cover the table with a disposable tablecloth or newspapers for easy cleanup. Keep supplies within reach but organize them in containers to prevent spills. Good lighting is essential, so choose a well-lit spot or add a lamp.

Have smocks or old t-shirts ready to protect clothing. Place a small trash bin nearby for quick disposal of scraps. We suggest setting out only the materials needed for each project to avoid overwhelming the kids.

Consider using place mats or trays to define each child's workspace. This helps contain messes and gives them a sense of ownership over their area.

Keeping Kids Engaged

We find that short, achievable projects work best for maintaining children's interest. Break down complex crafts into smaller steps. Offer praise and encouragement throughout the process.

Involve kids in choosing and planning the crafts. This gives them a sense of control and excitement. Play festive music or tell Thanksgiving stories while crafting to create a fun atmosphere.

Take short breaks if needed. Have healthy snacks on hand to refuel. We suggest alternating between sitting and standing activities to keep energy levels up.

Consider making it a friendly competition with small prizes for creativity or effort. This can motivate kids to stay focused and complete their projects.