DIY Projects Thanksgiving Crafts

18 Easy Thanksgiving Crafts for Preschoolers & Elementary Kids

Illustration of kids coloring Thanksgiving crafts

The Spruce / Maritsa Patrinos

Thanksgiving is one of the least commercial holidays. The day focuses on family and gratitude. Teach your preschoolers the meaning of this particular day when working on the following Thanksgiving crafts.

  • 01 of 18

    “I Am Thankful for” Free Thanksgiving Printable

    Thanksgiving Printable
    Uncommon Designs

    These "oh so pretty" Thanksgiving card printables are very easy to make. Just print and cut out the beautiful free templates provided by Uncommon Designs. Have your children pass out a card to each of your Thanksgiving guests (with a pen or pencil). Each guest should then fill out the card with an answer. At dinner have each person talk about what they wrote on their cards. The answers will be fun and sometimes surprising.

    Although these printables are not technically a Thanksgiving craft for preschoolers, the kids can still help mom print, cut, and distribute the cards. It is never too early to teach children that concept of gratitude.

    Free Thanksgiving Printable from Uncommon Designs

  • 02 of 18

    Pilgrim Hat Crayon Cups

    Pilgrim Hat Crayon Cups

    Let's DIY It All

    These paper cup pilgrim hats are crayon containers and would make such cute decorations for the kid's table at your Thanksgiving dinner. They look festive and can be put together quickly. The pilgrim hats add a fun touch to the holiday and help keep the little ones occupied while the grownups cook the family meal. You might even want to make one hat per child and have them take the containers home as a favor.

    Pilgrim Hat Crayon Cups from Let's DIY It All

  • 03 of 18

    Lovely Leaf Lights

    Paper leaf fall votive
    Paper Source

    Have your children make these festive tealight candle holders. Just glue some paper leaves onto a paper band around the neck of a candle holder. Light the candle and voila: beautiful Thanksgiving crafts for preschoolers that magically transform into a dinner candle. This craft results in impressive table decor your kids will be proud to have made.

    Lovely Leaf Lights from Paper Source

  • 04 of 18

    Turkey Toes Free Printable

    Turkey Toe Printable
    Saving Dollars and Sense

    This printable craft is perfect for all that candy corn you have leftover from Halloween. You may love candy corn, or you may hate it, but it works well with this fun Thanksgiving craft perfect for preschoolers. Give your kids a laugh and bag up some turkey toes for some holiday fun.

    Turkey Toes Free Printable from Saving Dollars and Sense

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  • 05 of 18

    Origami Turkey

    Origami Turkey Tutorial

    Chrissy Pk

    You and your children can practice your origami skills with these fun and easy turkeys. All you need is some sturdy paper and an afternoon free for crafting. Use your paper turkeys to decorate your table on Thanksgiving.

    Origami Turkey from The Spruce

  • 06 of 18

    Fall Candle Centerpiece Craft

    Fall candle centerpiece
    That's What Che Said

    This fall candle centerpiece will add some elegance to your table, but it is a Thanksgiving craft simple enough for preschoolers to make. Wrap a burlap ribbon around a candle and glue on a silk or paper leaves. Finish it with some wrapped twine and you are done. Fast, simple, and very pretty!

    Fall Candle Centerpiece Craft from That's What Che Said

  • 07 of 18

    Thanksgiving Coloring Page Download

    Thanksgiving coloring page
    More Than a Mom of Three

    This darling Thanksgiving coloring page is free for download. Keep your kids busy while you are finishing cooking the holiday meal, and attending to last-minute details. Why not have a coloring contest and award a prize to the best "artist" to add some fun to the day?

    Thanksgiving Coloring Page from More Than a Mom of Three

  • 08 of 18

    Candy Corn Turkey Artwork

    Preschool thanksgiving turkey craft
    The Jenny Evolution

    This candy corn turkey craft is a perfect Thanksgiving craft for preschoolers. Help little ones trace their hands onto a sheet of paper, then color and glue candy corn onto the drawing. Kids will have fun, and moms will have some beautiful refrigerator-worthy artwork. This craft is a classic Thanksgiving favorite.

    Candy Corn Turkey Artwork from The Jenny Evolution

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  • 09 of 18

    Paper Turkey Hat

    Paper Turkey hat
    Gather and Nest

    This turkey paper craft tutorial is a little bit different from the other one featured in this roundup but is just as cute and fun to make. This hat highlights real feathers instead of paper ones. You really can't go wrong with either option.

    Paper Turkey Hat from Gather and Nest

  • 10 of 18

    Thankful Wind Spinners

    Thankful Wind Spinners
    Make and Takes

    Throw these wind spinners into your crafts rotation for some fall fun. This project is also another excellent way for kids to express their thanks this year.

    Thankful Wind Spinners from Make and Takes

  • 11 of 18

    Paper Bag Turkey Puppets

    Paper Bag Turkey Puppets
    Crafty Morning

    Take your traditional paper bag puppets to the next level with plenty of colorful feathers. Ask your kids to brainstorm what they're most thankful for this year, and they can write it on the front of their puppet. Now all that's left to do is play with them.

    Paper Bag Turkey Puppets from Crafty Morning

  • 12 of 18

    Thanksgiving Cootie Catcher

    Origami cootie catcher for thanksgiving
    Bren Did

    We love cootie catchers–they make us nostalgic for our childhood school days. Now your kids can enjoy the same memories, with this Thanksgiving version that is very festive and fun.

    Thanksgiving Cootie Catcher from Bren Did

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  • 13 of 18

    Easy Thankful Turkeys

    Easy Thankful Turkeys
    Make and Takes

    This simple paper craft doubles as an excellent gratitude exercise for your children. Join them as they jot down what they're most thankful for onto each feather of their turkey.

    Easy Thankful Turkeys from Make and Takes

  • 14 of 18

    Egg Carton Turkey Craft for Thanksgiving

    Thankful Turkey & Treat Box
    Red Ted Art

    Recycle your empty egg cartons into a fun craft. These adorable turkeys are the perfect containers for small treats, like candy corn or M&Ms.

    Egg Carton Turkey Craft for Thanksgiving from Red Ted Art

  • 15 of 18

    "Handy" Thanksgiving Wreath

    'Handy' Thanksgiving Wreath
    Education.com

    Your child can adorn their bedroom door with a festive wreath this year when they make this "handy" craft. Let this be a learning activity too, as you help your child learn the months of the year.

    'Handy' Thanksgiving Wreath from Education.com

  • 16 of 18

    Turkey Thank You Card

    Turkey Thank You Notes
    DecoArt Blog

    A fun and seasonally appropriate activity: Your children can practice their penmanship and write notes to their friends and family. The children can let them know for what they're most thankful for.

    Turkey Thank You Card from DecoArt Blog

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  • 17 of 18

    DIY Thankful Jar for Kids

    DIY Thankful Jar
    Premeditated Leftovers

    We love this Thankful Jar idea because it's a great way to remind kids what they're grateful for on the gloomiest of days. Have them pull out one popsicle stick every time they need an encouraging word.

    DIY Thankful Jar for Kids from Premeditated Leftovers

  • 18 of 18

    Thankful Pumpkins

    Thankful Pumpkins
    Kelly Elko

    These pumpkins are a great no-carve decorating idea. Paint them ahead of time and for Thanksgiving dinner, place them on the table so everyone can take turns writing what they're most thankful for.

    Thankful Pumpkins from Kelly Elko