Thanksgiving is such a special time for family, friends, and giving thanks, and it’s also a fantastic chance to get creative!
Crafting lets you make beautiful decorations and gifts while spending quality time with loved ones.
Whether you’re looking for kid-friendly projects or elegant table decorations, these 17 Thanksgiving crafts are perfect for celebrating the season.
1. Gratitude Tree
A gratitude tree is a lovely way to reflect on what you’re thankful for. Find a sturdy branch outside or buy a decorative one.
Place it in a vase or jar filled with pebbles for stability. Cut out colorful paper leaves and provide markers for everyone to write down what they’re grateful for.
Add some ribbon for extra color and hang the leaves from the branches with twine or string. This craft not only beautifies your space but also sparks meaningful conversations at the dinner table.
2. Turkey Handprints
Turkey handprints are a fun, simple craft that even the youngest family members can enjoy. Gather colored construction paper in red, orange, yellow, and brown.
Trace your child’s hands on the brown paper for the turkey’s body. Use the other colors for feathers, cut them out, and glue them behind the handprint.
Add googly eyes, a small triangle for the beak, and draw a wattle using red paper.
These adorable turkeys can be used as place cards, decorations, or gifts, capturing the essence of childhood creativity.
3. Pumpkin Place Cards
Spice up your Thanksgiving table with personalized pumpkin place cards. Choose small pumpkins or gourds in various sizes and colors.
Decorate each pumpkin with paint or markers and write your guest’s name on a card. Add twine or ribbon around the stem for a rustic touch.
These unique place cards will make your guests feel special and add a festive flair to your dining experience. After the holiday, they can be used as decor or composted in your garden.
4. Cornucopia Centerpiece
Create a stunning cornucopia centerpiece, symbolizing abundance and nourishment. Start with a paper or cardboard cone as the base.
Decorate it with paints, leaves, or fabric for a rustic look. Fill it with faux fruits and vegetables, like mini pumpkins, apples, and gourds.
Add dried corn or leaves for texture. This centerpiece not only represents the harvest but also makes for a delightful conversation starter.
5. Fall Leaf Garland
Bring autumn indoors with a fall leaf garland. Collect colorful leaves or use faux ones. Cut the leaves into various shapes and sizes if using paper.
String the leaves together with twine or string, spacing them evenly. Add small pinecones or acorns for an extra touch of fall.
Drape your garland over your fireplace, mantel, or doorway to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
6. DIY Thanksgiving Wreath
Welcome guests with a Thanksgiving wreath. Start with a wire frame or foam wreath base.
Use a hot glue gun to attach pinecones, dried leaves, small pumpkins, and other fall decorations. Add a bow made of burlap or ribbon for a charming touch.
Hang your wreath on the front door or inside as a stunning reminder of the season. This thanksgiving crafts enhances your home decor and lets you express your style.
7. Thankful Jars
Celebrate gratitude with thankful jars. Provide each family member with a jar and decorate it with paint, stickers, or washi tape.
Throughout November, write down things you’re thankful for on slips of paper and place them in your jars.
On Thanksgiving, gather and take turns reading your notes. This fosters gratitude and strengthens family bonds. Keep the jars as a beautiful reminder of the season.
8. Turkey Wine Bottles
Transform empty wine bottles into festive turkeys! Clean and dry the bottles thoroughly. Use paint in fall colors to create the turkey’s body and face.
Add fabric or construction paper feathers to the back. Use googly eyes and paper cutouts for the beak and wattle.
These turkey wine bottles can be decorations or unique gifts for your hosts, adding a personalized touch to your celebrations.
9. Pumpkin Spice Playdough
Create a delightful sensory experience with homemade pumpkin spice playdough! Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar, and water in a saucepan, then add pumpkin spice and food coloring.
Cook over medium heat until it forms a dough. Once cooled, let kids shape the dough into pumpkins and other fall shapes.
This keeps the kids entertained and fills your home with a lovely aroma. Package the playdough in festive containers for a fun activity that also doubles as a party favor!
10. Fall Candle Holders
Enhance your Thanksgiving ambiance with DIY fall candle holders. Repurpose empty glass jars or buy plain glass holders.
Decorate them with fall-themed washi tape, paint, or decoupage techniques using printed napkins or paper.
Fill the jars with tealights or small candles for a warm, inviting glow. Add natural elements like acorns or small pinecones for texture.
Arrange these candle holders along your dining table or mantel for a cozy atmosphere.
11. Thanksgiving Bingo
Thanksgiving Bingo is a fun game for all ages. Create bingo cards with Thanksgiving-themed items, like turkeys, pumpkins, pies, and cornucopia.
Design the cards yourself using cardstock or print them out. During dinner, call out the items for guests to mark on their cards.
Offer small prizes for completed rows or full cards. This interactive game adds fun and sparks laughter and friendly competition.
12. Paper Plate Turkeys
Get creative with paper plates to make adorable turkey crafts! Provide each child with a paper plate to paint or color like a turkey’s body.
Cut out colorful feathers from construction paper and glue them to the back of the plate. Use markers or craft supplies to add eyes, a beak, and a wattle.
These playful turkeys can be displayed around the house or used as place settings. This thanksgiving crafts allows for plenty of creativity and keeps kids entertained.
13. Mini Pumpkin Vases
Hollow out small pumpkins to create charming vases. Cut the top off a small pumpkin and scoop out the insides.
Place a small glass or jar inside to hold water for flowers. Fill the vase with seasonal blooms or fall foliage.
These mini pumpkin vases can be used as table decorations, adding a natural touch to your Thanksgiving celebration while showcasing the beauty of the harvest.
14. Thanksgiving Story Stones
Thanksgiving story stones encourage storytelling and imaginative play. Collect small, smooth stones and paint them with Thanksgiving symbols, like turkeys, pumpkins, pies, and corn.
Use the stones to spark stories by randomly selecting a few and weaving them into a narrative. This craft engages kids and can be used during gatherings to inspire creativity and bonding.
Create a themed story game where each person adds a sentence based on the stones picked!
15. Leaf Rubbings
Collect beautiful leaves for a classic craft—leaf rubbings! Place the leaves underneath paper and use crayons or colored pencils to rub over the paper, revealing the leaf’s texture and shape.
Experiment with different colors and types of leaves to create a stunning art collection. These leaf rubbings can be framed, used as gift wrap, or turned into greeting cards.
This simple, educational thansksgiving crafts connects children with nature and fosters artistic skills.
16. Fall Themed T-shirts
Design your own fall-themed apparel with fabric paint and plain t-shirts. Gather t-shirts and fabric paints in seasonal hues.
Use stencils or freehand designs to paint turkeys, pumpkins, or thankful phrases. Create a fun family project by having everyone design their own shirt.
These unique thanksgiving crafts serve as a fun craft and can be worn during your Thanksgiving gathering, making for great family photos that capture the holiday spirit.
17. Pinecone Turkeys
Pinecone turkeys are a classic craft that’s easy and fun! Use a pinecone as the base. Create the tail with colorful paper or feathers and glue them to the back.
Add googly eyes, a beak, and a wattle from construction paper to the front. These pinecone turkeys can be decorations or table centerpieces, showcasing your creativity while celebrating the season.
Conclusion
These 17 Thanksgiving crafts offer a wonderful mix of creativity, fun, and family bonding, making them perfect for celebrating the season.
From heartfelt gratitude trees to festive turkey decorations, each craft provides a chance to appreciate family, friends, and the bountiful harvest.
Gather your supplies, invite your loved ones, and create lasting memories with these thanksgiving crafts this Thanksgiving! Happy crafting!
