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  4. 30 Easy and Creative Thanksgiving Crafts For Kids

30 Easy and Creative Thanksgiving Crafts For Kids

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors Updated September 04, 2020
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Leaf Garland
Credit: Handmade Charlotte

Thanksgiving is a holiday marked by gratitude, turkey, and lots of family time. If you've got a meal to cook and a kitchen full of kids, it may be time to pull out some planned activities that Aunt Sally can oversee while you manage the bird. Thanksgiving crafts can keep your little helpers busy while teaching them the importance of the season. Plus, store-bought decorations are nice, but DIY Thanksgiving decorations made by the kids are much more rewarding. These craft ideas for kids are fun, and the finished products can be sprinkled around your home for fall or used as tabletop décor. From decorative paper turkeys to leaf garland, the fall crafting options are truly endless. Make this Thanksgiving one to remember by spending some quality time with your family making creative crafts that can be used for years to come. We have a feeling these are sure to earn a spot on Grandma's fridge.

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Paper Plate Turkey

Paper Plate Turkey
Credit: I Heart Crafty Things

All you really need is a paper plate, a handful of supplies, and a little creativity. Get the details from I Heart Crafty Things.

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Watercolor Fall Leaf Wreath

Watercolor Fall Leaf Wreath
Credit: Happiness is Homemade

Delicate and light, this watercolor wreath perfectly showcases the multi-color fall foliage. Get the details on this D.I.Y. craft from Happiness is Homemade.

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Paper Pumpkin Pie

Paper Pumpkin Pie Craft
Credit: A Night Owl Blog

This realistic paper pumpkin pie has us craving the real thing. Get the details from A Night Owl Blog.

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Paper Pumpkin Craft

Paper Pumpkin Craft
Credit: The Moffatt Girls

This paper pumpkin will be the pick of the patch. Have the kids fill it with written words of gratitude. Get the details from The Moffatt Girls.

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Thankful Tree Craft

Thankful Tree Craft
Credit: The DIY Mommy

This Thanksgiving tree lets the kids display all of the things they are thankful for this holiday. Get the details from The DIY Mommy.

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Melted Crayon Pumpkin

Melted Crayon Pumpkin
Credit: via Mom Spark

Place a colorful, kid-crafted pumpkin at the center of your Thanksgiving gathering. All you need is a pumpkin, some crayons, and a blow-dryer. Get the details from Mom Spark.

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Leaf Garland

Leaf Garland
Credit: Handmade Charlotte

Garland doesn't have to be exclusive to the Christmas season. Try your hand at Thanksgiving-themed garland with paper leaves. Get the details from Handmade Charlotte.

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Leaf Catcher

Leaf Catcher
Credit: Handmade Charlotte

Catch all that the fall season has to offer with this leaf catcher. Get the details from Handmade Charlotte.

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Bottle Cap Turkey

Bottle Cap Turkey
Credit: The Joy of Sharing

This DIY bottle cap turkey can be gifted to guests or kept as a seasonal toy. Get the details from The Joy of Sharing.

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Leaf Animals

Leaf Animals
Credit: Hello, Wonderful

Foxes, deer, and turkey–oh my! Make creative animal faces out of fall leaves. Get the details from Hello, Wonderful.

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Ombré Leaf Table Runner

Ombré Leaf Table Runner
Credit: A Kailo Chic Life

Who says fall foliage has to be orange, red, and yellow? Make a rainbow on across your Thanksgiving table with this colorful centerpiece. Get the details from A Kailo Chic Life.

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DIY Turkey Pie Toppers

DIY Turkey Pie Toppers
Credit: Handmade Charlotte

Top your sweet pumpkin pie with vibrant turkey toppers. Get the details from Handmade Charlotte.

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Turkey Puppets

Turkey Puppets
Credit: Handmade Charlotte

Put on a puppet show this Thanksgiving with festive turkey puppets. Get the details from Handmade Charlotte.

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Thankful Tree

Thankful Tree Step 3
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

This is the sweetest tradition. Invite family and friends to write down something they're thankful for and add it to the tree. Get the written tutorial here.

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Pinecone Turkeys

Pinecone Turkey
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

The kids will have a field day collecting pinecones to make turkeys of all shapes and sizes. Get the written instructions here and watch the video tutorial here.  

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Decoupage Pumpkins

Decoupage Pumpkins
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Stylist: Buffy Hargett Miller

Got a stack of magazines you need to recycle? Let the kids handle it with a colorful pumpkin craft. Get the instructions here.

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Marshmallow Turkey Legs

Marshmallow Turkey Leg Treats for Thanksgiving
Credit: Southern Living

These treats are fun to make and even more fun to eat. Watch the video tutorial here.

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Cornhusk Garland

Cornhusk Garland
Credit: Photo: William Dickey

Dress up the porch with a gorgeous cornhusk garland. Watch the tutorial video here.

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Chocolate Pilgrim Hats

Chocolate Pilgrim Hats for Thanksgiving
Credit: Southern Living

What's better than an engaging Thanksgiving craft for the kids? An engaging Thanksgiving craft for the kids that also serves as a sweet treat. Watch the tutorial video here.

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Caramel Apple Place Cards

How To Make Caramel Apple Place Cards

This cute craft doubles as a sweet treat for the kids after dinner. Watch the tutorial video here.

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Waffle Cone Cornucopias

Waffle Cone Cornucopias for Thanksgiving

These colorful snacks can adorn the kids table for Thanksgiving for them to take home after the meal. Watch the video tutorial here.

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No-Carve Leafy Pumpkin

No-Carve Leafy Pumpkin
Credit: Southern Living

You don't have to worry about any carving accidents with this adorable DIY project. Watch the tutorial video here.

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Chocolate Turkeys

Chocolate Candy Turkeys for Thanksgiving
Credit: Southern Living

The kids are going to love this dessert version of the Thanksgiving main dish. Watch the video tutorial here.

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The Coloring Page Tabletop

Kids Table Place Setting with Place Card
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Rachael Burrow

Turn the Thanksgiving dinner table into an interactive art project with this too-cute table setting idea. Get the instructions here.

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Peanut Butter-Chocolate Acorns

Peanut Butter-Chocolate Acorns
Credit: Southern Living

These bite-size crafts will hold the kids over while you prepare Thanksgiving dinner. Watch the tutorial video here.

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Thanksgiving Pie Garland

Thanksgiving Pie Garland
Credit: Southern Living

Let the kids decorate for Thanksgiving with this sweet homemade garland. Watch the tutorial video here.

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Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Cookies

Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Cookies
Credit: Southern Living

Set up a decorating table for the kids to make their own pumpkin pie slice cookies while you prep the real pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. Watch the tutorial video here.

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Orange-Clove Pomander Balls

Make Pomanders
Credit: Photo: Ralph Anderson

These old-fashioned holiday favorites can be made around Thanksgiving and will last through December. Arrange aromatic pomanders in a bowl as a festive centerpiece. Follow the written how-to here.

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Thankful Pumpkins

Thankful Pumpkin
Credit: Amy Latta/Amy Latta Creations

Materials required for this Thanksgiving craft: a permanent market, a pumpkin, and a heart full of gratitude. Learn more about this simple-yet-joyful idea here.   

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Tiny Turkeys

Cork Turkey Place Card for Kids' Thanksgiving Table Setting
Credit: Robbie Caponetto; Design: Mariée Ami; Styling: Kathleen Varner

This quick-and-easy craft adds a playful tone to the kids' table. To make the place card, cut feathers from paper, and use a glue gun to attach them to a wine cork. Add black beads for eyes, along with a paper beak and wattle. 

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    1 of 30 Paper Plate Turkey
    2 of 30 Watercolor Fall Leaf Wreath
    3 of 30 Paper Pumpkin Pie
    4 of 30 Paper Pumpkin Craft
    5 of 30 Thankful Tree Craft
    6 of 30 Melted Crayon Pumpkin
    7 of 30 Leaf Garland
    8 of 30 Leaf Catcher
    9 of 30 Bottle Cap Turkey
    10 of 30 Leaf Animals
    11 of 30 Ombré Leaf Table Runner
    12 of 30 DIY Turkey Pie Toppers
    13 of 30 Turkey Puppets
    14 of 30 Thankful Tree
    15 of 30 Pinecone Turkeys
    16 of 30 Decoupage Pumpkins
    17 of 30 Marshmallow Turkey Legs
    18 of 30 Cornhusk Garland
    19 of 30 Chocolate Pilgrim Hats
    20 of 30 Caramel Apple Place Cards
    21 of 30 Waffle Cone Cornucopias
    22 of 30 No-Carve Leafy Pumpkin
    23 of 30 Chocolate Turkeys
    24 of 30 The Coloring Page Tabletop
    25 of 30 Peanut Butter-Chocolate Acorns
    26 of 30 Thanksgiving Pie Garland
    27 of 30 Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Cookies
    28 of 30 Orange-Clove Pomander Balls
    29 of 30 Thankful Pumpkins
    30 of 30 Tiny Turkeys

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