Thanksgiving Crafts to Keep Kids Entertained: 5 Fun and Easy Ideas

Hosting Thanksgiving often means juggling cooking, decorating, and entertaining guests—all while keeping the kids busy! These 5 fun and easy Thanksgiving crafts will keep little hands occupied and their creativity flowing, giving you the time you need to enjoy the holiday stress-free.

Why Crafts Are Perfect for Thanksgiving Day

Crafts are a great way to engage kids while fostering creativity and excitement for the holiday. They’re simple to set up, require minimal supervision, and can even double as decorations for your Thanksgiving table!

5 Easy Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

1. Handprint Turkeys

• What You Need:
  • Construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Markers or crayons
• Steps:
  1. Trace the child’s hand on a piece of construction paper and cut it out.
  2. Use the thumb as the turkey's head and the fingers as feathers.
  3. Decorate with markers to add eyes, a beak, and colorful feathers.
• Pro Tip: Add each child's name to their turkey and use them as place cards at the table.

2. Pinecone Place Card Holders

• What You Need:
  • Pinecones
  • Craft paint
  • Small pieces of cardstock
  • Markers
• Steps:
  1. Let kids paint the pinecones in festive colors like orange, gold, and brown.
  2. Write each guest’s name on a piece of cardstock.
  3. Tuck the name card into the pinecone for a rustic, homemade touch.
• Pro Tip: These make adorable table decor!

3. DIY Gratitude Tree

• What You Need:
  • Small tree branch
  • Vase or pot
  • Colored paper (cut into leaf shapes)
  • String or ribbon
  • Hole punch
  • Markers
• Steps:
  1. Place the tree branch in a vase or pot for stability.
  2. Punch holes in the paper leaves and provide markers for kids to write what they’re thankful for.
  3. Tie the leaves to the tree using string or ribbon.
• Pro Tip: Keep it as a centerpiece or display it near the entrance for guests to admire.

4. Paper Plate Pilgrim Hats

• What You Need:
  • Paper plates
  • Black paint
  • Yellow construction paper
  • Glue
• Steps:
  1. Cut out the center of a paper plate, leaving a wide rim.
  2. Paint the plate rim black and let it dry.
  3. Add a yellow buckle (cut from construction paper) to the rim to create a Pilgrim hat.
• Pro Tip: These hats can be worn or used as fun photo props!

5. Turkey Cups for Treats

• What You Need:
  • Disposable cups
  • Googly eyes
  • Construction paper
  • Glue
  • Candy or snacks
• Steps:
  1. Decorate the cups to look like turkeys, using googly eyes and construction paper for feathers and beaks.
  2. Fill the cups with candy or small treats.
• Pro Tip: Use these as party favors for the kids to take home.

Related Ideas for Family Fun

• Looking for more Thanksgiving activities? Check out our guide on Family Games for a Fun Thanksgiving Night.
• Make hosting easier with our Thanksgiving Hosting Hacks, filled with genius tips for a stress-free holiday.

More Craft Ideas

For additional inspiration, explore Martha Stewart’s Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids.

Printable Craft Templates

Download our free printable templates for Thanksgiving crafts, including handprint turkeys and leaf shapes for the gratitude tree!

Share Your Little Artists’ Creations!

We’d love to see your kids’ Thanksgiving crafts! Tag us on Pinterest or Facebook with their masterpieces.