When it comes to keeping kids entertained during Thanksgiving, crafts can be a real lifesaver. Not only do they give little ones something fun to do while the adults are busy prepping dinner, but they also help foster creativity and add a festive touch to your home. Plus, it’s hard to resist a cute turkey made out of a handprint or a cornucopia filled with colorful fall leaves.
Below are 21 easy Thanksgiving crafts for kids that are perfect for all ages—each one simple, mess-free, and a great way to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
1. Handprint Turkey
The classic handprint turkey never goes out of style. Trace your child’s hand on a piece of construction paper and cut it out. The fingers become the feathers, and the thumb is the turkey’s head. Kids can color the feathers and add googly eyes to give it some personality. It’s a timeless craft, and one that works even for toddlers who might need a little more guidance.
2. Paper Plate Pilgrims
All you need for this craft are some paper plates, markers, and construction paper. Draw the faces on the plates, and then add hats, bonnets, and collars to create a pair of pilgrims. It’s easy to customize and makes for a fun table decoration.
3. Leafy Turkey
Here’s one that gets the kids outside for a bit. Have them collect fallen leaves. Add a paper head and tail feathers, and voila—nature meets Thanksgiving. This one’s a hit because the kids get to explore and craft at the same time.
4. Toilet Paper Roll Crafts
If you’ve got leftover toilet paper rolls (and who doesn’t?), this craft is perfect. Paint them black and add a small strip of white paper around the bottom to make mini pilgrim hats. These are great as placeholders on the Thanksgiving table or just as a fun decoration around the house.
5. Corn on the Cob with Bubble Wrap
This one’s a sensory craft that’s surprisingly easy. Take a piece of bubble wrap, cut it into the shape of corn, and let the kids paint it yellow. Attach it to a piece of green construction paper for the leaves, and you’ve got a textured corn-on-the-cob craft that even toddlers will love.
6. Gratitude Paper Chain Garland
A simple paper chain in fall colors makes for a fun, easy decoration. Use red, orange, yellow, and brown construction paper to create a garland to hang across the room. Have them write their gratitude quotes. It’s great for younger kids to practice gratitude.
7. Popsicle Stick Scarecrows
Popsicle sticks are a crafting staple, and making scarecrows is super easy. Line up about five sticks and glue them together, then add a little face, some straw hair, and a tiny paper hat. These little guys can stand up on their own or hang out on the windowsill.
8. Thankful Tree
A Thankful Tree encourages kids to think about gratitude, and it makes a great Thanksgiving tradition. Draw or cut out a large tree trunk from brown paper, then have kids cut out leaf shapes in various colors. On each leaf, they can write something they’re thankful for and tape it to the tree. By the end, you’ll have a tree full of positive messages.
9. Coffee Filter Turkeys
For a colorful turkey craft, use coffee filters! Let kids color the filter with markers, spray a little water to watch the colors spread, and then attach it to a paper turkey body. The result? A tie-dye turkey that adds a burst of color to your decorations.
10. Fall Leaf Crown
Have the kids feel like autumn royalty by making leaf crowns. Gather real leaves or cut some out of colored paper, then attach them to a strip of cardstock that fits around their head. This one lets kids wear their creations proudly.
11. Turkey Paper Bag Puppets
Create a simple turkey puppet using a brown paper lunch bag. Kids can draw or glue on eyes, a beak, and feathers to bring their puppet to life. Add a little Thanksgiving skit afterward, and the craft turns into a mini-show!
12. Pumpkin Seed Art Thanksgiving Crafts
Instead of tossing out the pumpkin seeds from your jack-o’-lanterns, save them for a Thanksgiving craft. Kids can paint the seeds and use them to create mosaics, like pumpkins, leaves, or cornucopias. It’s a unique way to recycle and make art.
13. Pine Cone Turkeys
Turn pine cones into adorable turkeys by adding some colorful feathers, googly eyes, and a little beak. This one’s great if you’ve got pine cones in your yard or nearby park—and it doubles as a nature walk.
14. Clothespin Napkin Holders
This craft is both practical and cute. Paint clothespins in fall colors and add tiny details like feathers or pumpkins. Use them as napkin holders for the big dinner, and the kids will feel proud that their work is part of the celebration.
15. Paper Bag Cornucopia
Turn a paper lunch bag into a cornucopia by twisting it into the shape of a cone. Then, fill it with construction paper fruits and veggies. It’s a little trickier for younger kids, but older ones will enjoy making this iconic Thanksgiving symbol.
16. Paper Plate Pumpkin Pie
Got some extra paper plates lying around? Cut one into “slices” and let the kids color or paint them to look like pumpkin pie. Add some cotton ball whipped cream on top, and you’ve got a sweet (but not edible) treat.
17. Fox leaf family
Collect some fallen leaves and make your own little fox family as shown in the picture. Glue two fall leaves together and glue on some craft eyes. Then using maker pens draw cute little noses on the foxes.
18. Feathered Headbands
Give the kids a little fashion project by making feathered headbands. Use construction paper to create the band and then let them glue on colorful feathers. It’s a simple craft that gets them in the Thanksgiving spirit without much mess.
19. Button Pumpkins
For something a little different, let the kids create pumpkins out of buttons. Glue orange buttons onto a piece of cardstock in the shape of a pumpkin and add a brown stem. It’s a great way to use up those extra buttons and creates a fun, textured look.
20. Footprint Turkeys
Like the handprint turkey, but using feet! Trace their foot on brown paper for the turkey body, and add feathers to the top. Kids love the idea of turning their footprint into a turkey, and it’s perfect for little ones.
21. Pilgrim Paper Dolls
Create paper dolls dressed up as pilgrims using simple shapes cut from construction paper. Let the kids design their clothes, hats, and accessories, and then display them as cute decorations for Thanksgiving.
These Thanksgiving crafts aren’t just about keeping kids busy—they help build memories. They make Thanksgiving a little more personal, and who doesn’t love pulling out old crafts from Thanksgiving’s past to reminisce? It’s these little details that make the holiday feel special, year after year.
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