Holidays & Occasions Thanksgiving 30 Easy and Creative Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on August 17, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: 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 garlands, 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. 01 of 30 Paper Plate Turkey 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. 02 of 30 Watercolor Fall Leaf Wreath 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. 03 of 30 Paper Pumpkin Pie A Night Owl Blog This realistic paper pumpkin pie has us craving the real thing. Get the details from A Night Owl Blog. 04 of 30 Paper Pumpkin Craft 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. 05 of 30 Thankful Tree Craft 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. 06 of 30 Melted Crayon Pumpkin 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. 07 of 30 Leaf Garland 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. 08 of 30 Leaf Catcher Handmade Charlotte Catch all that the fall season has to offer with this leaf catcher. Get the details from Handmade Charlotte. 09 of 30 Bottle Cap Turkey 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. 10 of 30 Leaf Animals Hello, Wonderful Foxes, deer, and turkey–oh my! Make creative animal faces out of fall leaves. Get the details from Hello, Wonderful. 11 of 30 Ombré Leaf Table Runner 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. 12 of 30 DIY Turkey Pie Toppers Handmade Charlotte Top your sweet pumpkin pie with vibrant turkey toppers. Get the details from Handmade Charlotte. 13 of 30 Turkey Puppets Handmade Charlotte Put on a puppet show this Thanksgiving with festive turkey puppets. Get the details from Handmade Charlotte. 14 of 30 Thankful Tree 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. 15 of 30 Pinecone Turkeys Laurey W. Glenn The kids will have a field day collecting pinecones to make turkeys of all shapes and sizes. 16 of 30 Decoupage Pumpkins 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. 17 of 30 Marshmallow Turkey Legs Southern Living These "turkey legs" are fun to make and even more fun to eat. Watch the tutorial video here. 18 of 30 Cornhusk Garland Photo: William Dickey Dress up the porch with a gorgeous cornhusk garland. Watch the tutorial video here. 19 of 30 Chocolate Pilgrim Hats 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. 20 of 30 Caramel Apple Place Cards This cute craft doubles as a sweet treat for the kids after dinner. Watch the tutorial video here. 21 of 30 Waffle Cone Cornucopias These colorful snacks can adorn the kids table for Thanksgiving for them to take home after the meal. 22 of 30 No-Carve Leafy Pumpkin Southern Living You don't have to worry about any carving accidents with this adorable DIY project. Watch the tutorial video here. 23 of 30 Chocolate Turkeys Southern Living The kids are going to love this dessert version of the Thanksgiving main dish. 24 of 30 The Coloring Page Tabletop 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. 25 of 30 Peanut Butter-Chocolate Acorns Southern Living These bite-size crafts will hold the kids over while you prepare Thanksgiving dinner. Watch the tutorial video here. 26 of 30 Thanksgiving Pie Garland Southern Living Let the kids decorate for Thanksgiving with this sweet homemade garland. 27 of 30 Pumpkin Pie Shortbread Cookies 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. 28 of 30 Orange-Clove Pomander Balls 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. 29 of 30 Thankful Pumpkins Amy Latta/Amy Latta Creations Materials required for this Thanksgiving craft: a permanent market, a pumpkin, and a heart full of gratitude. 30 of 30 Tiny Turkeys 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. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit