54 Amazing DIY Thanksgiving Craft Ideas

Thanksgiving is the perfect season to bring the warm glowing colors of autumn inside. These kid-friendly DIY Thanksgiving crafts and art projects can be made in the classroom, during art class, or as stations. Or you can make them at home with your own family—think Thanksgiving morning, to distract hungry tummies from all the delicious smells and keep the “is it ready yet?”s to a minimum. We’ll even help you find all the supplies you need, so planning for these fun projects will be a breeze.

Playful leaves made from construction paper and pipe cleaners, as an example of DIY Thanksgiving crafts
Handmade Charlotte

1. Leaf Sprites

Adorable posable leaves made of painted paper and pipe cleaners whimsically usher in autumn.

Try it: Leaf Sprites

Get the supplies:

Mini ears of corn made from plastic pony beads
One Little Project

2. Beaded Corn

These clever DIY Thanksgiving crafts are perfect for little hands. They’re not only adorable but help develop fine motor skills.

Try it: Beaded Corn

Get the supplies:

Sweet figurines made from wooden pegs standing in front of little cottages made from paper rolls
Tried & True Creative

3. Woodland Folk

These sweet woodland folks are made from wood pegs and felt. The huts are made from cardboard tubes and natural materials.

Try it: Woodland Folk

Get the supplies:

Colorful pumpkins made from folded construction paper
DIY Inspired

4. Folded Paper Pumpkins

Colorful construction paper strips are folded into fans and layered on top of one another to form these charming pumpkins.

Try it: Paper Pumpkins

Get the supplies:

A tiny turkey is made from a brown yarn pom pom and feathers
Growing Up Gabel

5. Pom-Pom Turkey

This adorable little guy is simple to put together and will brighten up your Thanksgiving table.

Try it: Pom-Pom Turkey

Get the supplies:

A tiny paper cornucopia made from brown fringed tissue paper with candy corn spilling out
Happiness Is Homemade

6. Tiny Cornucopia

An old-fashioned craft made from crepe paper cut into fringes and a construction cone. Perfect for filling with sweet holiday treats!

Try it: Paper Cornucopia

Get the supplies:

A modled bowl made from silk leaves
To Simply Inspire

7. Decoupage Leaf Bowl

Colorful silk leaves are molded together with Mod Podge to create this charming fall leaf bowl.

Learn more: Decoupage Leaf Bowl

Get the supplies:

A platter holds Oreo cookies with candy corn feathers and edible candy eyes and beaks
Delish

8. Oreo Turkeys

Almost (but not totally) too cute to eat! Everyone loves these yummy turkey cookies.

Try it: Oreo Turkeys

Get the supplies:

Leaves made from clay stamped with gratitude words hand from a metal tree form
Rhythms of Play

9. Leaves of Gratitude

A lovely reminder of what the season is all about—thanksgiving. Painted branches don clay leaves stamped with words of gratitude.

Try it: Gratitude Tree

Get the supplies:

A netted bag embellished to look like a turkey is filled with fall colored candies
Clean and Scentsible

10. Turkey Treats

A fun classroom goodie! These M&M-stuffed turkeys are made with netting, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes.

Try it: Turkey Treats

Get the supplies:

A mason jar painted and decorated to look like a scarecrow's head
Easy Peasy and Fun

11. Mason Jar Scarecrow

A painted mason jar is decorated with corn husk hair and a burlap headband. A sunflower tops off this playful centerpiece.

Try it: Scarecrow Centerpiece

Get the supplies:

Stones are painted red, orange, pink and yellow and letters which spell out 'give thanks'
Handmade Charlotte

12. Gratitude Stones

A fun and easy craft for kids of all ages. Go outside and gather stones with your students. Then, have students paint them alternating bright colors and write the letters that spell out “Give Thanks.”

Learn more: Thanksgiving Painted Rocks

Buy it: Acrylic paint at Amazon

Wine bottles are wrapped with twine and decorated with plastic flowers
wikiHow

13. Twine Bottles

These cool bottles are a snap to create. Just wrap clean, used wine bottles in twine, adhering as you wrap with hot glue. Then embellish with ribbons and fabric flowers for a lovely centerpiece.

Try it: Twine-Wrapped Bottles

Get the supplies:

Stone Gable

14. Velvet Pumpkins

Velvet pumpkins of various sizes are all the rage these days. These beauties are pretty easy to create.

Try it: Velvet Pumpkins

Get the supplies:

Colorful paper ears of corn circle up to make a cute wreath
1pureheart

15. Bubble Wrap Corn Wreaths

Who would believe this whimsical wreath was created using bubble wrap? Shades of red, orange, and yellow paint really make them look like colorful corn kernels.

Learn more: Corn Wreath

Get the supplies:

A boy stands in front of a banner that reads Give Thanks
Parents

16. Nature Banner

This seasonal banner lends the perfect touch to your Thanksgiving decor. Go on a nature walk to find all the natural elements that form each letter.

Try it: Nature Banner

Get the supplies:

Card place holder made from a cork and paper feathers
Almost Makes Perfect

17. Turkey Place Card Holders

These little turkeys are so adorable, they may not sit on the table as place card holders for long.

Try it: Cork Turkeys

Get the supplies:

Colorful napkin rings  with a leaf in the center made from felt
Real Creative

18. Felt Napkin Rings

Felt, burlap, and a few simple stitches (or hot glue) are all it takes to create these colorful napkin rings.

Try it: Felt Napkin Rings

Get the supplies:

A pumpkin made from orange strips of paper, each with something the maker is grateful for written on it
The Moffatt Girls

19. Paper Strip Pumpkin

What a sweet way to think about all the things we are thankful for. All it takes is orange and green construction paper, staples, and a marker.

Try it: Thankful Pumpkin

Get the supplies:

Entertain the Idea

20. Fall Leaves Garland

Make this beautiful leaf garland with cardboard, felt, yarn, and a few other easy supplies.

Try it: Felt Leaf Garland

Get the supplies:

Pinecones with colorful tips
Whimzeecal

21. Ombre Pine Cones

Create a rainbow of ombre pine cones to decorate your mantle or sideboard! There are even budget-friendly fake pine cones that can help you avoid the mess of using real ones.

Try it: Ombre Pine Cones

Get the supplies:

A little orange pumpkin made from string
One Little Project

22. String Art Pumpkin

Kids will be fascinated by the artistic process involved with this craft! Note: This craft requires drying time.

Try it: String Art Pumpkin

Get the supplies:

Tiny pumpkins with the centers cut out and filled with tea light candles
Momtastic

23. Pumpkin Candles

This craft will depend on whether you can get your hand on some mini pumpkins at your local stores, but they make a perfect gift for parents, teachers, and friends.

Try it: Pumpkin Candles

Get the supplies:

Glowing lanterns made from mason jars and leaves
Mud + Bloom

24. Autumn Leaf Lanterns

Gorgeous, luminous, and easy to make! Alicia from Spark & Chemistry recommends ironing the fabric leaves to make them a bit more pliable.

Try it: DIY Lanterns

Get the supplies:

25. Block-Printed Thanksgiving Napkins

Include a personalized touch on your Thanksgiving table this year (and every year!).

Try it: Block-Printed Thanksgiving Napkins

Get the supplies:

An apple made to look like a turkey with juju fruit feathers and a marshmallow head
I Heart Crafty Things

26. Apple Turkey Craft

Who doesn’t love it when snack time and craft time intersect? These silly DIY Thanksgiving crafts can be darling decorations or tasty treats.

Try it: Apple Turkey Craft

Get the supplies:

A paper bag puppet made to look like a turkey with paper cutout handprints as feathers
Keep Toddlers Busy

27. Handprint Turkey Puppet

Would it even be a holiday without a handprint craft to commemorate it? This cutie is not only a fun puppet but a sweet keepsake.

Try it: Turkey Puppet

Get the supplies:

Yummy turkey treats made from pretzels, a rolo and candy corn
Suburban Simplicity

28. Sweet and Salty Turkey Treats

So simple and so adorable—and the combination of salty and sweet will be enjoyed by all.

Try it: Sweet and Salty Turkey Treats

Get the supplies:

Owls made from handprints cut from colorful paper
The Best Ideas for Kids

29. Handprint Owls

Yet another fun keepsake craft—this one involves colorful paper and matching feathers. Rolled-up newspaper painted brown forms the tree for the owls to perch on.

Try it: Handprint Owls

Get the supplies:

Colorful marbled cookie in the shape of a leaf
Delish

30. Leaf Cookies

Hey, cookies can be art, if you make them with this gorgeous marbled dough and a leaf cookie cutter!

Try it: Leaf Cookies

Get the supplies:

Colorful turkey windsocks made from tin cans
Happiness Is Homemade

31. Turkey Windsock

Who could resist seeing these funny little windsocks fluttering in the wind? So simple to put together with just a clean tin can and a few craft supplies.

Try it: Tin Can Turkey Windsock

Get the supplies:

A colorful fall tree made from Fruit Loops glued to a drawing of a tree
Our Kid Things

32. Froot Loop Fall Tree

Froot Loops are not only yummy, they also come in fall colors (sort of). Use markers to draw a tree with branches on a sheet of paper, then glue Froot Loops on for leaves. Add a pile at the bottom for the fallen leaves.

Try it: Fruit Loop Tree

Get the supplies:

Paper bag scarecrows guard a garden
Crafts by Amanda

33. Craft Stick Scarecrows

Theses wee little scarecrows are adorable DIY Thanksgiving crafts that double as guardians for your garden or potted plants.

Try it: Craft Stick Scarecrows

Get the supplies:

Leaves painted with funny faces
Handmade Charlotte

34. Painted Leaf Friends

Take a walk and collect leaves in pretty fall colors. Be sure to find as many different shapes and sizes as you can. Then, use paint pens to create faces. Use the leaves as characters and put on a play with them.

Try it: Painted Leaf Friends

Get the supplies:

A turkey photo holder made from a small slice of wood decorated with googly eyes and feathers
Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

35. Wooden Photo Holder

This little fella will bring a smile to the table. Use it for place-card holders, thankfulness notes, or photos of Thanksgivings past.

Try it: Wood Slice Photo Holder

Get the supplies:

A pop up turkey sits in the fold of a card made from green construction paper
Artsy Craftsy Mom

36. Pop-Up Thanksgiving Card

Made from card stock and folded pieces of construction paper, this craft is as fun to make as it is to give.

Try it: Turkey Card

Get the supplies:

A pinecone turkey with each of the sections of the pinecone painted a different color
Live Craft Eat

37. Painted Pine Cone Turkey

With their fuzzy pom-pom heads, googly eyes, and felt beaks and wattles, these tri-color turkeys bring on the Thanksgiving spirit.

Try it: Painted Pine Cone Turkey

Get the supplies:

A hedgehog made from a folded paper plate and leaves
Easy Peasy and Fun

38. Paper Plate Hedgehog

This cute little critter is so simple to make. Just paint a paper plate and add googly eyes (one on each side), a nose, and a smile. Then glue on found leaves or faux leaves.

Try it: Paper Plate Hedgehog

Get the supplies:

Colorful painted acorns sitting in a dish
Crafts by Amanda

39. Painted Acorns

These colorful DIY acorn crafts would make a lovely addition to your Thanksgiving table nestled into a special bowl or scattered along a table runner.

Try it: Colorful Painted Acorns

Get the supplies:

Orange paper pumpkin with buttons glued all over it
Crafts on Sea

40. Button Pumpkin

A simple yet sweet craft for little ones. Just help students cut out a pumpkin and stem, then set out an assortment of buttons and glue and let them decorate!

Try it: Button Pumpkin

Get the supplies:

41. Woven Paper Basket

Ask your students to bring in clean, recycled paper bags. Then, follow along with this video and create these adorable baskets. Use them to hold Thanksgiving napkins, rolls, or whatever you please.

Try it: Woven Paper Basket

An orange pumpkin made from a paper bag
Fun Family Crafts

42. Paper Bag Pumpkin

How sweet is this little guy? The quintessential preschool Thanksgiving craft.

Try it: Paper Bag Pumpkin

Get the supplies:

Tiny woodland creatures made from felt
Handmade Charlotte

43. Woodland Critters

Students in upper elementary will love the challenge and the results of these charming felt puppets.

Try it: DIY Forest Friends Finger Puppets

Get the supplies:

Ceramic leaf bowls
Red Ted Art

44. Leaf Bowls

Theses gorgeous DIY Thanksgiving crafts, made from clay and then painted, look like fall leaves.

Try it: Leaf Bowls

Get the supplies:

Glass vases are decorated with squares of two-tones paint for a checkerboard effect
Crafts by Amanda

45. Patchwork Glass Vases

What a lovely centerpiece one of these patchwork painted glass vases would make. Instead of buying glass vases, ask students to bring in clean, smooth recycled glass jars from home.

Try it: Patchwork Glass

Get the supplies:

Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

46. Turkey Crayon Holder

Made from a paper cup and construction paper, this cute little turkey is perfect for supplying little ones with crayons to keep busy at the Thanksgiving table. Alternatively, fill them with pre-feast snacks.

Try it: Turkey Crayon (or Snack) Holder

Get the supplies:

Crafts by Amanda

47. Corn Cob Colored Pencil Holder

Along the same lines as the craft above, this clever “corn cob” is made from dried beans and felt.

Try it: Corn Cob Pencil Holder

Get the supplies:

The House That Lars Built

48. Autumn Leaf Folded Napkin

Kids love to be helpful, especially around the holidays. And why not make a little work fun? Try one of these fun napkin-folding activities, like the leaf shown here. Or try a crown, a hat, or a boat!

Try it: Thanksgiving Table Folded Napkins

Get the supplies:

Paging Supermom

49. Pie Garland

Yum, this festive garland of colorful slices of Thanksgiving pie is so easy to make.

Try it: Paper Plate Pie Garland

Get the supplies:

Lovely Indeed

50. Gratitude Book

What a lovely keepsake to record your gratitude! This accordion-fold book is the perfect tool to collect thoughts from everyone at your table.

Try it: Accordion Fold Gratitude Book

Get the supplies:

A brown knit glove stuffed and decorated to look like a turkey
Crafts by Amanda

51. Glove Turkey

This quirky little guy is bound to bring a smile to the faces of everyone at your Thanksgiving table.

Try it: Glove Turkey

Get the supplies:

Sunflowers made from fallen leaves
Easy Peasy and Fun

52. Fallen Leaves Sunflowers

Take your students outside and go on a leaf hunt. Look specifically for thin yellow leaves. Then, put together these lovely DIY sunflower crafts for them to take home to use as Thanksgiving centerpieces.

Try it: Sunflower Centerpiece

Get the supplies:

Handmade Charlotte

53. Mini Turkey Pinatas

Although this is a fairly involved project (best for bigger kids), the results speak for themselves. Fill your baby turkeys with confetti or seasonal candies.

Try it: Mini Turkey Pinatas

Get the supplies:

A Kailo Chic Life

54. Pom-Pom Pumpkins

Pumpkins are an awesome seasonal decoration, but these colorful pom-pom pumpkins are a lot less messy than the real ones.

Try it: Pom-Pom Pumpkins

Get the supplies:

Also, check out the Best Thanksgiving Videos for the Classroom.

Plus, if you like these DIY Thanksgiving crafts and want more articles like this, be sure to subscribe to our newsletters!


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