Easy Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids, From Toddlers to Tweens

The easiest Thanksgiving crafts for kids use paper plates, paper bags, construction paper and a few pantry items, and most take 15 to 30 minutes. Toddlers can do handprints and sticker collages, school-age kids can make place cards and bag puppets, and older children can build a table centerpiece. Below, each craft is rated by age, supplies and mess level, so you can pick what fits your kitchen table and your patience.

Before you start

• Cover the table. Kraft paper, newspaper or a cheap plastic cloth saves cleanup.
• Check art supply labels. Look for the statement “Conforms to ASTM D-4236” on art materials, which indicates a toxicologist has reviewed them for health risks. Choose products labeled for children, and read any age warnings.
• Watch small pieces. Googly eyes, beads, beans, pom-poms and buttons are choking hazards for children under 3, and some children keep putting things in their mouths for longer. The American Academy of Pediatrics has a choking prevention page with details. For toddlers, use stickers, markers and big paper pieces instead.
• Use child-safe scissors and non-toxic glue. Let an adult handle anything sharp or hot.

Crafts at a glance

Ages 2 to 4

Handprint turkey

Trace a child’s hand on brown or colored paper. Each finger becomes a feather, and the thumb becomes the head. Let kids color the feathers or add stickers. Painting directly on the hand is messier, so keep wipes and a bowl of water nearby, or stick with crayons for a no-mess version.

Sticker collage plate

Give each child a paper plate and a sheet of fall stickers. They fill the plate however they like, and you write their name on the back. These are good as tablecloth decorations or fridge art.

Leaf rubbing placemat

Collect flat leaves from outside and put them under a sheet of thin paper. Peel the paper off a crayon and rub the side across the paper until the leaf shape appears. Leaf rubbings make a nice placemat after you laminate them or tape clear contact paper over them.

Ages 5 to 8

Paper plate turkey

Paint or color the plate brown, glue on paper feathers and add a face. Kids can write one thing they are thankful for on each feather. This links nicely with our guide to gratitude activities for kids.

Paper bag turkey puppet

Turn a lunch bag flat side down so the flap is the head. Add eyes, a beak and a wattle from paper, then glue feathers to the back. Puppets are great for a short show before dinner.

Place cards

Fold an index card in half and let kids decorate it with markers or stickers. Older children can write each guest’s name in bubble letters. You can match them to a kids’ table. See our Thanksgiving kids table ideas for seating tips.

Paper leaf garland

Cut or trace leaf shapes in red, orange, yellow and brown. Kids add a message or a pattern, and an adult tapes them to a string. Hang it above the table or across a doorway.

Ages 9 and up

Pasta or bean mosaic

Glue dry pasta shapes, lentils or beans to a piece of cardboard in the shape of a pumpkin or turkey. Keep this one for kids old enough not to eat the supplies, and out of reach of younger siblings. Let the glue dry flat for several hours before you stand it up.

Painted pinecone or gourd centerpiece

Paint pinecones or small gourds in fall colors, let them dry, and arrange them in a basket or on a tray. Wash gourds and pumpkins first. Use washable or craft paint, and do this outdoors or on a covered table. Don’t eat decorative gourds.

Thankful placemats

Older kids can draw or write on large sheets of paper, adding each guest’s name and one thing they are thankful for. Laminate the placemats at a copy shop or cover them with clear self-adhesive paper.

Make it a table project

1. Choose two crafts, one for younger children and one for older ones.
2. Set out supplies in separate trays to cut down on fights.
3. Let each child take on one part of the table: place cards, a garland or the centerpiece.
4. Display the finished pieces just before guests arrive.

If you are planning a longer afternoon, pair a craft with a game or an outdoor break. Our list of Thanksgiving activities for kids can help fill the hours before dinner.

Cleanup tips

• Wipe tables with warm soapy water as soon as the paint is dry.
• Soak brushes in water right away.
• Save wet pieces on a baking sheet for easy moving.
• Keep a trash bag on the table so scraps do not scatter.

Bottom line

Start with paper-based crafts like handprint turkeys, leaf rubbings and place cards, since they are cheap and easy. Choose crafts by age and mess level, check art supply labels, and keep small parts away from young children. A few simple projects can turn the table into something the whole family helped make. In December, try homemade Christmas ornaments kids can make.

FAQ

What are good Thanksgiving crafts for toddlers?

Handprint turkeys with crayons, sticker collages and leaf rubbings. Avoid small pieces such as beads and googly eyes, and stay with the child.

How can I make crafts with no mess?

Use crayons, stickers and markers instead of paint, and cover the work area with paper.

What can I use if I do not have craft supplies?

Brown paper bags, cereal boxes, newspaper, leaves from the yard and plain paper work well. You can color with whatever you have.

How far ahead can kids make crafts?

Paper crafts can be made a week or more ahead. Painted items need drying time, so start those a day or two before.