Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids: 101 Easy Ideas

Thanksgiving brings families together around good food and warm memories. But here’s something even better: crafting with your kids during this special season.

This post covers Thanksgiving crafts for kids of all ages. From simple handprint turkeys for toddlers to beautiful wreaths for tweens, you’ll find ideas that fit every skill level. These aren’t just time-fillers.

Thanksgiving crafts help children build creativity, practice patience, and express gratitude in meaningful ways. Plus, every project becomes a decoration that adds personal touches to your home.

Ready to make this Thanksgiving more memorable? Let’s get started with crafts your whole family will love making together.

Why Thanksgiving Crafts Matter for Kids?

Thanksgiving crafts do more than keep little hands busy. They help children build creativity and patience while improving fine motor skills.

When kids make gratitude-based projects, they learn to express thankfulness in a hands-on way. This emotional growth lasts long after the holiday ends.

Plus, crafting together creates special family moments. The handmade decorations your kids create add warmth to your home. Each paper turkey or painted pumpkin tells a story.

These aren’t just crafts, they’re memories you can hang on the wall.

Easy & Fun Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

Let’s jump right into the fun part. Here are 101 craft ideas organized by age and type, so you can find the perfect project for your child.

Simple Thanksgiving Crafts for Toddlers

Toddlers love getting messy and using their hands. These simple crafts are perfect for their age and skill level.

1. Handprint turkey art: Press little hands in paint to create colorful turkey feathers that parents will treasure forever.

2. Paper plate pumpkins: Let toddlers paint paper plates orange and add a green stem for an easy pumpkin decoration.

3. Leaf rubbing pictures: Place real leaves under paper and rub crayons over them to reveal pretty leaf shapes.

4. Corn kernel collage: Glue dried corn kernels onto paper to make textured autumn artwork.

5. Fingerpainted autumn trees: Dip fingers in fall colors and press them onto paper to create tree leaves.

6. Cupcake liner turkeys: Stack colorful cupcake liners and add googly eyes for a fun turkey face.

7. Tissue paper pumpkin: Crumple orange tissue paper and glue it onto a pumpkin outline for a textured craft.

8. Crayon-resist leaf painting: Draw leaves with white crayon, then paint over them with watercolors to reveal them.

9. Feather headbands: Glue colorful craft feathers onto a paper headband for dress-up fun.

10. Easy “I’m Thankful For” cards: Help toddlers draw or stick pictures of things they love onto cards for family.

11. Pom-pom turkey craft: Glue colorful pom-poms together to make a fluffy, soft turkey.

12. Sponge-painted corn: Cut sponges into corn shapes and let kids stamp yellow paint onto paper.

13. Playdough pumpkin shapes: Roll orange playdough into balls and add a stick for a pretend pumpkin.

14. Sticker gratitude boards: Give toddlers stickers to place on paper as they talk about things they’re thankful for.

15. Nature collage with leaves and twigs: Collect outdoor treasures and glue them onto cardboard for natural art.

Preschool Thanksgiving Crafts (Ages 4–6)

Preschoolers can handle more detailed projects. These crafts build skills while staying fun and festive.

16. Gratitude tree with paper leaves: Draw a tree trunk and have kids write what they’re thankful for on paper leaves.

17. Toilet roll pilgrims: Paint empty toilet paper rolls and add paper hats to make pilgrim figures.

18. Feather crown hats: Create a headband from construction paper and attach colorful feathers around it.

19. Thanksgiving placemats: Decorate paper or laminate drawings to make reusable placemats for dinner.

20. Paper bag turkey puppets: Stuff a paper bag and decorate it with feathers and a face for puppet shows.

21. Handprint wreaths: Trace and cut out handprints in fall colors, then arrange them in a circle.

22. Pinecone turkeys: Stick colorful feathers into pinecones and add a small head to make turkeys.

23. Thumbprint corn cobs: Use yellow and orange ink pads to stamp thumbprints in rows like corn kernels.

24. “Thankful turkey” spinner wheel: Make a paper wheel that spins to show different things to be grateful for.

25. Pilgrim hat name tags: Cut out black paper hats with buckles and write names for table settings.

26. Tissue-paper fall leaves: Crumple tissue paper and glue it onto leaf templates for colorful decorations.

27. Apple-stamp pumpkins: Cut apples in half and dip them in orange paint to stamp pumpkin shapes.

28. Leaf garland: String real or paper leaves together to make a hanging decoration.

29. Recycled paper cornucopia: Roll brown paper into a cone shape and fill it with paper fruits.

30. Thank-you cards for family: Fold paper and let kids decorate cards with messages for relatives.

Elementary Kids’ Crafts (Ages 7–10)

Elementary students can tackle more complex projects. These crafts let them express creativity and learn new techniques.

31. DIY thankful jar: Decorate a jar and fill it with notes about things the family is grateful for.

32. Popsicle stick turkey: Glue popsicle sticks in a fan shape and add a turkey face in the center.

33. Thanksgiving bingo cards: Create custom bingo cards with Thanksgiving images for family game time.

34. DIY napkin rings with leaves: Cut cardboard tubes and decorate with paper or fabric leaves.

35. Paper quilling pumpkins: Roll thin paper strips into a pumpkin shape.

36. Gratitude chain: Write thankful thoughts on paper strips and link them into a colorful chain.

37. Fabric leaf stamps: Cut leaf shapes from craft foam, dip in paint, and stamp on fabric.

38. Mini acorn ornaments: Use real or craft acorns to make tiny hanging ornaments.

39. Salt dough leaf prints: Press real leaves into salt dough and bake to create lasting impressions.

40. Yarn-wrapped pumpkins: Wrap orange yarn around cardboard pumpkin shapes for a textured look.

41. Folded paper gratitude banner: Fold paper accordion-style and write thankful messages to hang up.

42. Stained glass paper turkeys: Use tissue paper and contact paper to make colorful window decorations.

43. DIY candle holders (with adult help): Decorate glass jars with fall designs to hold tea lights safely.

44. Thanksgiving bookmarks: Cut and decorate cardstock with autumn themes for reading time.

45. Pumpkin seed mosaics: Glue pumpkin seeds onto paper in patterns or pictures.

46. Felt turkey magnets: Cut felt into turkey shapes and glue magnets on the back for the fridge.

47. Twig art frames: Glue small twigs around photo frames for a rustic fall look.

48. Hand-sewn mini pumpkins: Sew orange fabric into small pumpkin shapes with basic stitches.

49. Origami leaf garland: Fold paper into origami leaves and string them together.

50. Thankful message jar: Fill a decorated jar with family members’ written gratitude notes.

Tween Thanksgiving Crafts (Ages 10–13)

Tweens enjoy more grown-up projects. These crafts challenge their skills and result in impressive decorations.

51. Handmade Thanksgiving cards: Design and create custom cards with personal messages for loved ones.

52. Painted mason jars: Paint fall scenes or patterns on jars for candles or flower holders.

53. DIY fall wreaths: Use a foam base and attach leaves, ribbons, and berries for door decor.

54. Fabric table runners: Cut and hem fabric in fall colors to make a special table runner.

55. Button art turkey: Arrange colorful buttons on a canvas to form a turkey shape, then glue them down.

56. Gratitude shadow boxes: Decorate a box frame with thankful messages and small decorations inside.

57. Wooden sign décor: Paint Thanksgiving sayings on small wood boards for home display.

58. Decoupage leaf coasters: Use Mod Podge to attach pressed leaves onto cork coasters.

59. Clay leaf impressions: Press real leaves into air-dry clay and paint when dry.

60. Watercolor “Thankful” posters: Paint beautiful watercolor backgrounds and add gratitude words.

61. Thanksgiving candle jars: Wrap the jars in burlap, lace, or twine, and add fall embellishments.

62. Dried fruit garland: String dried orange slices and cranberries to make a natural garland.

63. Hand-lettered gratitude quotes: Practice calligraphy or hand lettering with Thanksgiving phrases.

64. DIY paper lanterns: Fold and cut paper to create lanterns with autumn cutouts.

65. Upcycled T-shirt tote bags: Cut and tie old shirts into reusable bags decorated with fabric paint.

Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving Crafts (All Ages)

Going green is important for kids to learn. These eco-friendly crafts use recycled and natural materials.

66. Recycled cardboard turkeys: Cut turkey shapes from old boxes and decorate with paint or markers.

67. Egg carton pumpkins: Paint egg carton cups orange and stack them to form pumpkin shapes.

68. Leaf print tote bags: Press painted leaves onto canvas bags for a natural design.

69. Reusable gratitude banner: Sew or glue fabric pieces into a banner you can use each year.

70. Paper roll corn husks: Paint toilet paper rolls yellow and add green paper tops for corn.

71. Pinecone garland: String pinecones together with twine for a natural decoration.

72. Newspaper table mats: Roll or weave old newspapers into placemats for a recycled table setting.

73. DIY fabric napkins: Cut and hem fabric squares to replace paper napkins.

74. Compostable table décor: Use gourds, leaves, and branches that can return to the earth after use.

75. Upcycled paper feathers: Cut colorful feathers from old magazines or wrapping paper.

Thanksgiving Table Crafts (Kids Can Make for Dinner Setup)

Kids feel proud when their crafts become part of the meal. These projects help set a special Thanksgiving table.

76. DIY name place cards: Fold cardstock, write guest names, and add fall decorations.

77. Mini centerpiece pumpkins: Paint small pumpkins or gourds to place around the table.

78. Leaf napkin rings: Cut paper or felt leaves and attach to cardboard rings.

79. Handprint table runner: Stamp handprints on a long roll of paper to run down the center of the table.

80. Thanksgiving gratitude placemats: Draw or write what you’re thankful for on paper placemats.

81. “Thankful for You” treat bags: Decorate small bags filled with candy for each dinner guest.

82. DIY candle wraps: Wrap decorative paper with fall designs around candle bases.

83. Cork turkeys: Glue feathers and faces to wine corks for tiny table decorations.

84. Paper cornucopia centerpieces: Make paper cornucopias and fill with paper fruits and vegetables.

85. Napkin holders with kids’ drawings: Draw autumn-themed pictures and attach them to napkin rings.

Group & Classroom Thanksgiving Crafts

These projects work great when kids create together. Classrooms and groups can create something meaningful together.

86. Large gratitude mural: Have each child add their thankful thoughts to a large sheet of paper on the wall.

87. “Classroom Thankful Tree”: Create a large tree where every student adds a leaf with their gratitude.

88. Turkey disguise contest crafts: Each child disguises a paper turkey in a funny or creative way.

89. Paper chain of kindness: Write kind acts on paper strips and link them into a long chain.

90. Friendship feathers exchange: Kids decorate feathers and exchange them with classmates.

91. Group thanksgiving poster: Work together to design a large poster celebrating the holiday.

92. DIY gratitude cards for community helpers: Make thank-you cards for teachers, firefighters, or nurses.

93. “Thankful hands” collage: Trace everyone’s hands and arrange them into a group artwork.

Quick 5-Minute Crafts for Busy Parents

Short on time but want to craft? These super-quick projects take almost no prep or cleanup.

94. Sticker turkey masks: Add stickers to paper plates with eye holes for instant turkey masks.

95. Gratitude coloring pages: Print free Thanksgiving coloring sheets for a fast, creative activity.

96. Paper strip turkey tails: Cut colored paper strips and fan them behind a turkey body cutout.

97. Fall leaves window clings: Buy or make gel clings in leaf shapes for windows.

98. Printable “I’m Thankful” worksheets: Download and print fill-in-the-blank gratitude sheets.

99. Crayon-shaved leaf art: Shave crayons onto paper, cover with a leaf template, and iron carefully.

100. Easy origami turkey: Follow a simple origami pattern to fold paper into a turkey.

101. Popcorn cup turkeys: Glue popped popcorn onto paper cups and add turkey features.

Teaching Gratitude Through Crafts

Crafts give kids a hands-on way to think about what matters most. When children create a thankful jar or gratitude tree, they pause to reflect on the good things in their lives.

This simple act builds emotional awareness. Art makes abstract feelings like gratitude become real and visible. Parents can turn these projects into yearly traditions that grow with their kids.

Each November, bring out last year’s gratitude tree or start a new thankful jar together. These ongoing habits teach children that appreciation isn’t just for one day. It’s a practice that lasts all year long.

The Bottom Line

Thanksgiving crafts create more than just decorations. They build memories that your family will talk about for years.

Each handprint turkey and gratitude jar teaches kids important lessons about creativity and thankfulness. The ideas in this guide give you plenty of options for every age and skill level.

Start with one simple project this week. Then try another. Before you know it, crafting will become your favorite Thanksgiving tradition.

Your home will fill with handmade treasures that mean so much more than store-bought decor. So grab some paper, paint, and glue.

Gather your kids around the table. Which craft will your family try first? Share your creations with us in the comments below.

Happy crafting and happy Thanksgiving!