Thanksgiving is a busy time for families — between the cooking, the cleaning and getting ready for guests, it helps to have something to keep the kids happily occupied. That’s where a good craft comes in.
Here are 10 easy Thanksgiving crafts for kids that are simple to set up, fun to make, and perfect for filling an afternoon in the run-up to the big day. Happy crafting!
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Take a look at some great Thanksgiving crafts for kids that are fun, creative and seasonal.
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Fun Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids
#1. Thanksgiving Starters!
Let’s start with what’s usually the centrepiece of the whole meal — the turkey! This paper plate turkey craft from I Heart Crafty Things is wonderfully simple and works well for even the youngest crafters.
All you need is a white paper plate, some paint or crayons, glue and googly eyes.
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#2. Thanksgiving Napkin Rings
Thanksgiving is such a lovely time for gathering family and friends around the table. Set the scene with these personalised napkin holders from Crafts by Amanda.
Another easy one for little hands — all you need is craft paper and a few cardboard tubes.
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#3. Craft Stick Scarecrow
This craft stick scarecrow from Optimistic Mommy is the perfect fall craft. With just a handful of basic craft supplies, you can put together your own scarecrow to decorate the house for the season.
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#4. Gratitude Banner
Why not turn those busy little hands to something the whole family can enjoy? This gratitude banner idea from Mom.me is a lovely way to get kids thinking about what they’re thankful for — and everyone can join in, from the smallest to the biggest.
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#5. Corn Husk Painting
Dried corn husks make for one of the more unusual — and lovely — Thanksgiving crafts for kids. Hello Wonderful shows how to turn them into giant painted flowers and a decorative headband, using very little beyond what you probably already have at home.
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#6. Thanksgiving Turkey Bookmarks
This goofy little fellow will keep your fall reading in check! Kids can easily make this turkey bookmark from Blitsy by themselves, with a little help getting started.
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#7. Fall Colours
Grab a cotton bud and a few autumn-toned paints to create a simple autumnal landscape. Display the artwork around the house to set a lovely scene for Thanksgiving.
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#8. Thanksgiving Turkey Hats
Get creative with sponge-painted paper plate turkey hats — instructions from Stay At Home Educator make this an easy afternoon project.
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#9. Fruit Loop Indian Corn Craft
Crafts don’t need to be complicated to be fun. This Fruit Loop corn craft from The Simple Parent needs only construction paper or card, glue and a box of Fruit Loops — perfect for little ones.
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#10. Turkey Windsocks
These adorable turkey windsocks from Happiness is Homemade are made from a recycled tin can, ribbon, glue and whatever crafty odds and ends you have around. They make some of the cutest turkeys you’ll see all season!
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What are your favourite Thanksgiving crafts for kids? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages are these Thanksgiving crafts suitable for?
Most of these crafts — like the paper plate turkey, napkin rings and Fruit Loop corn — are simple enough for toddlers and preschoolers with a little help. Others, like the corn husk painting and windsocks, are better suited to school-age kids who can manage more fiddly steps independently.
What materials do I need to have on hand?
Nothing unusual — paper plates, craft paper, cardboard tubes, craft sticks, paint, glue and googly eyes cover most of the list. A few crafts call for specific extras, like dried corn husks or Fruit Loops, so it’s worth a quick check of each one before you start.
How far ahead can we make these crafts?
Any of them can be made in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, not just on the day itself. Spreading them out over a few afternoons is a nice way to build up the decorations gradually, and it takes the pressure off on the day when you’re busy with dinner.
More Ideas Like This
Looking for more ways to keep little hands busy this season? Take a look at our autumn leaf craft ideas, our roundup of paper plate crafts for preschoolers, and our Thanksgiving recipes for kids to round out your holiday plans.
Didn’t find quite the right craft here? Browse our full collection of craft ideas for more inspiration, or bookmark this page to come back to when you’re ready to get creating.
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