Thanksgiving is about family, gratitude, and togetherness. For kids, it’s also about creativity and fun. Crafting together is a wonderful way to keep little hands busy while teaching them about the spirit of the holiday.
The beauty of Thanksgiving crafts is that they don’t require expensive supplies — most of these projects can be made with paper, glue, paint, and items you already have around the house. Plus, they create keepsakes you’ll treasure for years.
Here are 15 amazing Thanksgiving crafts for kids, explained in detail so you can jump right in with your little ones.
🍂 1. Handprint Turkeys
Supplies: Construction paper, crayons or markers, scissors, glue, googly eyes (optional).
This is the most iconic Thanksgiving craft — and for good reason. Kids trace their hand on paper, cut it out, and decorate the fingers as feathers. Add a beak, wattle, and googly eyes to complete the turkey.
Why it’s special: Each handprint captures your child’s size at that moment in time. Over the years, these become priceless keepsakes that show how much they’ve grown.
Variation: Turn handprint turkeys into placemats or place cards for the dinner table by writing guests’ names on them.
🌳 2. Thankful Tree
Supplies: A small branch, vase or jar, colored paper, scissors, markers, tape or string.
Kids cut out paper leaves and write something they’re thankful for on each one. The leaves are then attached to the branches to create a “thankful tree” centerpiece.
Why it’s special: It’s not just a craft — it’s a gratitude exercise that gets kids thinking about what really matters. Plus, it doubles as table décor.
Variation: Make a “thankful garland” by stringing leaves on twine and hanging it across a wall or mantel.
🦃 3. Paper Plate Turkeys
Supplies: Paper plates, construction paper, paint or markers, glue, scissors, googly eyes.
Transform a paper plate into a turkey by coloring it brown for the body, then gluing on colorful feathers made from construction paper around the edge. Add a beak, eyes, and feet for extra detail.
Why it’s special: It’s affordable, fun, and easy for younger kids. No two turkeys ever look the same, so each child can express their personality.
Variation: Use fabric scraps, buttons, or feathers to make the turkey even more textured and unique.
🍁 4. Leaf Rubbings
Supplies: Real fall leaves, paper, crayons (with wrappers removed).
Take kids on a nature walk to collect leaves. Place them under a sheet of paper, then rub the side of a crayon over the top. The veins and shapes of the leaves appear like magic.
Why it’s special: It’s part art, part science. Kids learn about leaf structure while creating beautiful seasonal designs.
Variation: Use leaf rubbings as the background for handmade Thanksgiving cards.
🎩 5. Pilgrim Hats
Supplies: Black construction paper, white paper, yellow paper (for buckle), scissors, glue or tape.
Cut a wide strip of black paper to wrap around the head, then create the tall “hat” shape. Add a white trim and yellow square buckle to complete the look.
Why it’s special: Kids love dressing up, and pilgrim hats make fun photo props for family pictures.
Variation: Make matching “bonnets” from white paper for a pilgrim couple set.
🦃 6. Turkey Headbands
Supplies: Construction paper, scissors, glue or tape, crayons or markers.
Make a headband base out of a strip of paper, then let kids decorate colorful paper feathers to glue on the back. Add a small paper turkey face in front for extra cuteness.
Why it’s special: It keeps kids engaged and makes them feel like part of the Thanksgiving celebration. Bonus: adorable photos at the dinner table.
Variation: Instead of paper, use foam sheets for sturdier headbands that last longer.
🏺 7. Gratitude Jar
Supplies: Mason jar, ribbon or paint for decoration, paper slips, pens.
Kids decorate a jar with stickers, ribbons, or paint. Throughout the week, they write things they’re thankful for on slips of paper and add them to the jar. On Thanksgiving Day, the family reads them aloud.
Why it’s special: It teaches kids that gratitude is a practice, not just a one-day event. Plus, it becomes a cherished family ritual.
Variation: Use multiple jars — one for each family member — to make it personal.
🌽 8. Corn Cob Painting
Supplies: Bubble wrap, paint (yellow, orange, brown), paper, scissors.
Wrap bubble wrap around a rolling pin or cardboard tube, dip it in paint, and roll it onto paper. The bubble texture creates a realistic corn-on-the-cob pattern.
Why it’s special: It’s a sensory craft that lets kids explore textures while making art.
Variation: Cut out corn shapes and use them as part of a harvest-themed banner.
🌲 9. Pinecone Turkeys
Supplies: Pinecones, craft feathers, googly eyes, glue, paper or felt for beaks.
Turn pinecones into turkeys by gluing feathers into the back, adding eyes and a beak in front.
Why it’s special: It combines nature with creativity, and the 3D shape makes it stand out from flat paper crafts.
Variation: Use cinnamon-scented pinecones for a festive aroma.
🍂 10. Leaf Turkeys
Supplies: Fall leaves, paper, glue, markers, googly eyes.
Arrange colorful leaves in a fan shape to make turkey feathers. Add a paper circle for the body and googly eyes to bring it to life.
Why it’s special: It connects kids with the season by using real leaves collected outside.
Variation: Laminate the finished project to use as a placemat.
🍽️ 11. Thanksgiving Placemats
Supplies: Large construction paper, crayons, markers, stickers, laminator (optional).
Kids design their own placemats with drawings of turkeys, pumpkins, or messages of thanks. Once finished, laminate them so they can be reused every year.
Why it’s special: Kids feel proud seeing their art on the table during dinner.
Variation: Write each family member’s name on a placemat for a personalized setting.
🎀 12. Thankful Bracelets
Supplies: Beads in fall colors, elastic string, scissors.
Each bead represents something your child is thankful for. As they string them together, they talk about each one.
Why it’s special: It’s a wearable reminder of gratitude that kids can keep long after Thanksgiving.
Variation: Make necklaces instead of bracelets for a fun twist.
🥣 13. Cereal Box Cornucopias
Supplies: Empty cereal boxes, scissors, tape, paper, crayons, glue.
Cut cereal boxes into cone shapes, cover with paper, and fill with paper fruits and vegetables that kids color and cut out.
Why it’s special: Teaches the symbolism of the cornucopia (abundance and harvest) while reusing everyday materials.
Variation: Fill with real snacks (like popcorn or trail mix) for a treat-filled version.
🎃 14. Painted Pumpkin Centerpieces
Supplies: Small pumpkins, paint, brushes, markers.
Give kids mini pumpkins to decorate with turkey faces, patterns, or words like “Grateful” and “Blessed.”
Why it’s special: Doubles as décor for the Thanksgiving table. Kids love seeing their creations as part of the centerpiece.
Variation: Use metallic paints for a modern, stylish look.
🖐️ 15. Thankful Handprint Wreath
Supplies: Construction paper in fall colors, scissors, glue, marker.
Trace and cut out kids’ handprints on different colored paper. Write something they’re thankful for on each hand, then arrange them in a circle to form a wreath.
Why it’s special: It combines gratitude with a bold, colorful decoration you can hang on the door or wall.
Variation: Make a new wreath each year and see how the “thankful” answers evolve over time.
✨ Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving crafts aren’t just about keeping kids busy — they’re about building traditions, teaching gratitude, and creating moments the whole family remembers.
From handprint turkeys and leaf rubbings to gratitude jars and pumpkin painting, these 15 projects offer fun for every age. Set aside an afternoon before the big meal, gather some simple supplies, and let the creativity flow.
The result? A home filled with decorations that aren’t just festive — they’re full of love and family spirit.
I’m Anastasios Moulios, co-founder of DIY Cozy Living. I enjoy finding creative, practical ways to make small spaces feel warm, stylish, and lived-in — whether it’s a camper, a backyard, or a cozy room inside. I started this blog with Katerina to share real ideas that make home feel a little more personal and a lot more comfortable.
