As soon as Halloween ends and daylight savings time begins, it’s time to start thinking about Thanksgiving!
As we spend time reflecting on all that we are thankful for, it’s the perfect time to get creative with your kids. Here are five fun Thanksgiving crafts ideas that will not only make your home feel more festive, but they can also help keep your kids busy and entertained during this hectic time of year.
Thanksgiving Corn
Great for toddlers and preschool kids (or kids of any age, once they’re past putting small items in their mouth), this craft requires few materials but earns high marks for its festive colors. Unused kernels can be saved for the following year.
Materials:
- Popcorn kernels
- Yellow and green construction paper
- Ziploc bags
- Washable tempera paint, in several colors
- Wax paper
- Rubber cement or glue
- Baking sheets
Directions:
- Divide the popcorn kernels into six piles, and put each into its own plastic bag.
- Add a squirt of paint and seal the bag tightly.
- Have your kids shake each bag until the kernels are covered in paint.
- Spread the kernels onto wax paper-lined baking sheets, and let them dry overnight.
- Cut a piece of yellow construction paper into an oval, and two green pieces of construction paper into thin strips for the “husks” of the corn.
- Glue the yellow paper to the green husks.
- Spread a thin film of glue or rubber cement on the yellow paper.
- Sprinkle and press an assortment of kernels onto the paper to create the holiday corn.
- Let dry and hang on your fridge!
(Source: Coffee Cups and Crayons)
DIY Wood Slice Turkey
A unique, rustic twist on your classic handprint turkey, this wood slice version features feathers made from no-mess glitter. Great as a placeholder for thanksgiving guests.
Materials:
- Mini wood slices
- Glitter washi tape in red, white, gold and orange
- Googly eyes
- Florist wire
- Orange cardstock or construction paper
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Toothpicks and plain cardstock (optional, for placeholders)
Directions:
- Cut a strip of glitter washi tape 4-5 inches long. Cut a 3-4 inch piece of florist wire and place it in the center of the tape halfway up.
- Fold the tape down on itself so that the wire is sandwiched inside. Cut the washi tape into the shape of a feather and make little slits along all of the edges.
- Attach two googly eyes to the wood slice using hot glue. Cut a small triangle from orange paper and glue that to the wood slice also.
- Attach the feathers to the back side of the wood slice using hot glue.
- Hot glue a smaller wood slice onto the back side of the turkey. This covers up the spot where you glued the feathers on and helps the turkey to stand upright.
- If making the turkeys to use as placeholders, have your kids print or write names of your dinner guests onto plain cardstock.
- Cut out the names and glue them to toothpicks; attach to the turkey. Repeat for desired number of guests.
(Source: The Craft Patch Blog)
Candy Turkey Pretzel Bites
A delicious dessert made with Rolos, Reese’s Pieces and candy corn that can be served with your after-dinner pies, these bite-sized treats are the perfect combination of sweet and salty. They can even be made ahead and stored in an airtight container before serving on turkey day.
Materials:
- Baking sheet or pan
- Parchment paper or baking mat
- Mini salted pretzels
- Rolo candies
- Reese’s pieces candy
- Candy eyeballs
- Airtight container, for storage
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking pan with parchment paper or a baking mat.
- Place pretzels with salted side down on the pan, with the double-rounded end facing you.
- Have your kids unwrap the Rolos and place them in the center of each pretzel, towards the top.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven until the chocolate softens but isn’t completely melted, about 1 minute. Watch carefully so they don’t get too soft!
- Remove the pan and decorate the turkeys by placing candy eyeballs towards the middle, slightly towards each Rolo’s top.
- Take a piece of Reese’s candy and turn it sideways, inserting it below the turkey’s eyes.
- Take three pieces of candy corn and insert them along the top of the Rolos for the feathers.
- Place your tray of turkeys in the freezer to solidify for 5-10 minutes.
- Store in an airtight container until ready to enjoy.
(Source: Suburban Simplicity)
Paper Pumpkins
A great fall craft for older kids who rarely enjoy creative time, these stylish paper pumpkins are an easy way to add holiday cheer to your home…or a festive air to your Thanksgiving table.
Materials:
- Colored or patterned paper of choice, such as Astrobrights
- Paper cutter
- Double sided tape
- Hot glue and glue gun
- Small ticks
- Twine
- Scissors
Directions:
- Each pumpkin requires 2 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper. Using the paper cutter, trim each piece of paper vertically into five 1.5 inch wide strips.
- Then cut each strip into one 7 inch and two 9 inch pieces, keeping the remaining two strips at 11 inches. Important reminder: You need two sets for one pumpkin. So each pumpkin is two pieces of paper – two 7 inch, four 9 inch and four 11 inch strips.
- Fold each piece of paper into accordion strips.
- Tape two sets of paper at the same lengths together with double sided tape to form a circle. You will end up with one circle from the 7 inch strips, two circles from the 9 inch strips, and two circles from the 11 inch strips.
- Create the 7 inch medallion by placing a small dab of glue in the center of the fold with a hot glue gun. Place a small dab in the center and hold a few seconds until it is dry.
- Next, glue each medallion together, starting with the 7 inch on top, then 9 inch, then 11 inch, then 11 inch, then 9 inch on the bottom.
- Hot glue a stick, paper leaves, and twine on the top of your pumpkin.
(Source: DIY Inspired)
Gratitude Tree
A heartwarming, easy way to teach your kids to practice gratitude, this tree can help them verbalize and visualize what they are thankful for each year. Creating one with your children can become a tradition and a way to spark meaningful conversation around your Thanksgiving table.
Materials:
- Gratitude tree template
- Astrobrights cardstock (in blue, green, brown, red, yellow and orange)
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers
Directions:
- Download and print the Gratitude Tree Template from the supply list. Printing it on Astrobrights cardstock is easiest, but you can also print it on white cardstock for kids to color, paint, or trace onto construction paper. To create leaves in a variety of colors, print the leaves template three times, making sure “actual size” is selected when printing.
- Instruct your child to cut out the tree and the leaves with scissors. Our tree template is simple, chunky, and straight, making it perfect for little hands that are still learning to cut!
- Invite your child to use a black marker to write things they feel thankful for on the leaves, and challenge them to be specific. For example, if they say they’re grateful for a specific toy or nature, encourage them to name which toy or part of nature they like most. The same goes for the names of family members, friends, or pets.
- Cut out a rolling hill from green cardstock, then glue it to the blue cardstock. Then glue the tree to the hill.
- Glue 10 or more leaves with gratitude words to the tree. If desired, glue a few leaves to the base of the tree to complete your autumn scene.
- Your Thankful Tree is complete! Display it on a bulletin board, refrigerator, or wherever you show off your child’s arts and crafts.
(Source: Fireflies and Mudpies)
