Jessica Chenoweth 
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to slow down, get creative, and make something festive with the kids. Whether you need activities to keep little hands busy on Thanksgiving Day or you just want some seasonal crafts during fall break, these simple ideas are fun, inexpensive, and great for all ages. Grab the glue, paper, and paint — let’s get crafting!
1. Handprint Turkey Cards
A classic for a reason. Trace your child’s hand, cut it out, then let them decorate each finger like colorful feathers. Add a googly eye and a beak, and you’ve got adorable cards for grandparents or table guests.
2. Paper Plate Pumpkin Pie Slices
Cut a paper plate into “pie slices.” Let kids paint them orange, glue on a cotton-ball “whipped cream,” and sprinkle with orange glitter or crayon “spices.” They look cute hung like a banner!
3. Thankful Leaves Garland
Cut out simple leaf shapes from construction paper. Each child writes something they’re thankful for on each leaf, then thread them onto yarn for a meaningful garland to hang on the mantle or doorway.
4. Pinecone Turkeys
Collect pinecones outside (or grab a bag from the craft store). Add colorful construction-paper feathers, googly eyes, and a felt beak for a rustic little turkey decoration.
5. DIY Thankful Tree Centerpiece
Use a small branch placed in a jar filled with rocks. Have kids write things they’re grateful for on cardstock leaves and hang them on the “tree.” It makes a sweet and personal Thanksgiving centerpiece.
6. Painted Corn Kernels Mosaic
Use dried corn kernels or pasta shells as “kernels,” have kids paint them in fall colors, and glue them onto cardboard shapes (a turkey, pumpkin, or corn cob). It’s a sensory-friendly craft with great texture.
7. Pilgrim Hat Crayon Holders
Wrap black construction paper around an empty toilet-paper roll, add a white buckle, and glue to a black circle base. They make adorable crayon holders for the kids’ table.
8. Feathered Name Place Cards
Fold small rectangles of cardstock into tents, write guests’ names, and let kids glue real or paper feathers around the edges. They feel festive and add color to the Thanksgiving table.
9. Pumpkin Seed Art
Rinse and dry pumpkin seeds from your jack-o’-lantern leftovers. Dye them with food coloring, then let kids arrange them into flowers, shapes, or turkey feathers on cardstock.
10. Thankful Bracelets
Use pony beads in fall colors and stretchy cord. Each bead color can represent something they’re thankful for (family, friends, food, home), turning gratitude into a wearable craft.
