Have fun this Thanksgiving with these easy crafts for kids. They are simple, fun, and spark a lot of joy. Honestly, I’ve seen how a small craft can light up a child’s whole day. So why not lean into that and make some memories together?
Save this idea for later. Trust me, you’ll want it when the kids say, “I’m bored.”
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Thanksgiving always feels warm and full, doesn’t it? There’s good food, loud laughter, and that cozy feeling of being around people you love. But for me, it also means pulling out glue, paper, and a bit of chaos. That’s where the real fun begins with kids.
And come on, you’ve thought about it too. Fall just gives us so many ideas. Leaves, colors, pumpkins—everything feels like it’s asking to be turned into a craft. Plus, Halloween is right there too, so the creative mood just keeps going.
Alright, let’s jump into these 27 Thanksgiving crafts for kids. You might end up enjoying them just as much as the kids do.
1. DIY Glitter Jar
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: kids and glitter are best friends. It gets everywhere, and yes, you’ll still find sparkles days later. But somehow, it’s always worth it.
A glitter jar is a calm, sensory craft that kids love. You can shake it, watch it swirl, and just relax. To make it festive, turn it into a little turkey-themed jar.
Grab an old jar or a mason jar and fill it with water, glue, and glitter. Add a tiny turkey design if you like. It’s simple, messy, and oddly soothing.
2. Wooden Spoon Turkey Craft
This one took me back to my childhood. I used to make sock puppets all the time. But a wooden spoon puppet? That felt new and fun.
All you need are a few wooden spoons, googly eyes, and some fall ribbons. Paint the spoon brown and draw a small beak. It’s easy, even for little hands.
Add feathers to the back, and suddenly it comes alive. It’s funny how a spoon can turn into a tiny turkey with just a bit of paint and imagination.
3. Clay Pot Turkeys
These clay pot turkeys look so cute, I almost want to keep them as decor. They’re one of those crafts that feel both fun and useful.
You’ll need small clay pots and some felt sheets. Cut the felt into feathers, a beak, and a wattle. Stick on some eyes, or draw them if you prefer.
Tie a ribbon around the neck for a final touch. It’s simple, but it feels like a mini art project you’d proudly display on a shelf.
4. Fall Snow Globe
I used to think snow globes were hard to make. Turns out, they’re not at all. And making one with kids feels kind of magical.
Instead of snow, think fall. Leaves falling, tiny twigs, warm colors. It’s like capturing a small piece of the season in a jar.
Use a mason jar with a tight lid. Add faux leaves, small sticks, and water. Shake it, and you’ve got your own little autumn world.
5. Clothespin and Leaf Turkey
This one just works so well. Clothespins and leaves somehow make the perfect turkey.
You’ll need clothespins, colored paper, or felt. Cut out the face, beak, and wattle. It’s easy and doesn’t need fancy tools.
The best part? Let the kids go outside and collect leaves. That little walk turns into part of the fun, and they come back excited to create.
6. Quilled Turkey
Quilling used to be everywhere, remember that? It’s such a calm and focused craft. Bringing it back feels like a nice change of pace.
You’ll need a quilling kit, some glue, and a bit of patience. Roll the paper into shapes and build your turkey piece by piece.
It’s slow, but in a good way. Kids learn to focus, and the final result looks surprisingly beautiful.
7. Thanksgiving Place Cards
If you’re hosting dinner, this one is a lifesaver. Kids get busy, and you get help decorating. Win-win.
Give them mini canvases, paints, and brushes. Spread out newspaper because, trust me, spills will happen.
They can paint names and designs for each guest. It adds a personal touch, and guests always notice it. Plus, kids feel proud seeing their work on the table.
8. Chalk Pastel Turkeys
I tried this one on a slow afternoon, and wow—it kept the kids busy way longer than I expected. It’s one of those crafts where they get messy but stay focused, which feels like a small win. You’ll need chalk pastels, black paper, some colored cardstock, and the usual craft bits. Grab a couple of Q-tips or a blending stick too—it helps smooth the colors nicely.
One thing I learned the hard way—chalk dust gets everywhere. Keep paper towels close so you’re not scrambling later. And if you’re sensitive to dust, maybe wear a mask while cleaning up. Still, the soft colors on black paper look so pretty, it’s worth the extra wipe-down.
9. Embroidery Hoop Turkey
I had a few old embroidery hoops lying around, and this idea felt like giving them a second life. There’s something satisfying about turning forgotten items into something cute. For this, you’ll need felt fabric, a square of white burlap, and basic craft tools. Add a hole punch, stencil, and hot glue gun to your list.
Start by painting the hoops black and let them dry fully. It’s a simple step, but it makes everything pop later. Once you assemble it all, the turkey comes together faster than you’d think. It’s one of those crafts that looks fancy but feels easy once you begin.
10. Felt Turkey Craft
This one took me back to my childhood, sitting with needle and thread, trying not to poke my fingers. You’ll need different colors of felt, plus a needle and thread. Honestly, it’s better done by hand since the pieces are small. It feels slow, but in a calm, cozy way.
Cut out all the parts first and lay them out like a puzzle. It helps you see the full picture before you stitch. If you’re doing this with a child, guide them gently—it’s a great way to build patience. By the end, you’ll have a soft little turkey that feels extra special because you made it together.
11. Painted Rock Turkey
I still remember collecting rocks as a kid, always searching for the “perfect” one. This craft brings that same joy back. The trick is picking a rock that feels just right—not too rough, not too tiny. You can even turn rock hunting into a mini adventure.
Once you’ve got your rock, bring out the paints and let creativity take over. There’s no strict rule here, and that’s the fun part. Kids love seeing a plain stone turn into something lively. It’s simple, but it carries that quiet magic of making something from almost nothing.
12. Turkey Popsicle Craft
If your freezer is anything like mine, there’s always a stash of popsicles hiding somewhere. You can wait to finish them, or just grab some craft sticks and get started. You’ll also need glue dots, colored paper, scissors, and a turkey template to guide the little ones.
And don’t forget the feathers—they’re the heart of the whole look. I once forgot them, and let’s just say the turkey looked a bit… confused. This craft is quick, bright, and perfect when attention spans are short. It’s like a burst of fun in stick form.
13. Coffee Filter Turkey
This one feels like a cozy kitchen moment. Sit the kids down with snacks, maybe cookies and lemonade, and let them settle in. You’ll need coffee filters, markers, paint, and those leftover googly eyes we all seem to collect. It’s simple, but that’s what makes it great for younger kids.
Spread out paper towels before you begin—trust me on this. The colors bleed and blend in a really pretty way on the filters. Watching the patterns form feels almost like magic. It’s calm, colorful, and perfect for a relaxed afternoon.
14. Colorful Turkey Craft For Toddlers
This one is pure joy if you have a toddler around. It’s bright, playful, and a little chaotic—in the best way. You’ll need lots of colorful feathers, empty toilet paper rolls, markers, and scissors. The feathers alone will keep them entertained for a while.
You can turn it into a learning moment too. Try sorting feathers by color or size together—it becomes a fun little game. Stick longer feathers at the bottom and shorter ones on top to build the turkey shape. It’s messy, lively, and full of tiny wins that make you smile.
15. Turkey Paper Headbands
I made these once on a lazy afternoon, and honestly, the kids didn’t want to take them off. A turkey headband is such a simple idea, but it sparks big imagination. Suddenly, the backyard turns into a wild adventure land.
This isn’t just any plain headband either. It’s bright, layered, and full of life. If you stretch the orange beak a bit longer, it drops right onto the forehead in a funny way.
And here’s the fun part—make the eyes big and a little goofy. I like adding a tiny squint so the turkey looks alive. It always gets a laugh.
16. Thanksgiving Salt Painting
Okay, this one surprised me. I didn’t expect a craft to feel like a mini science class. But salt painting has this cool reaction that kids find magical.
It’s a great chance to sneak in some learning while they play. Just grab watercolors, paper, brushes, and salt. That’s it.
First, draw a simple shape with a pencil or pen. Then trace it with glue in a steady line. Sprinkle salt on top, and watch the colors spread like tiny rivers.
17. Turkey Potato Stamp
I still remember the first time I used a potato for art. It felt odd, but it worked so well. Potatoes are like secret craft tools hiding in the kitchen.
All you need is a potato, paint, paper, glue, and some googly eyes. Cut the potato in half and dip it into paint. It becomes a perfect stamp.
Sometimes I use a brush to spread the paint more evenly. Then press it onto paper and build your turkey from there. It’s messy, but in a fun way.
18. Paper Bag Turkey
This one is perfect when you want something easy and quick. I’ve made it on days when I didn’t want to run to the store. Most of the stuff is already at home.
Start by flattening a paper bag on the table. Then cut out feather shapes from colored paper. Add a beak, a wattle, and some eyes.
It comes together fast, and kids feel proud of it. It’s one of those crafts that looks cute without much effort.
19. Turkey Toilet Roll
I used to throw toilet rolls away without thinking. Now I save them like treasure. You can turn them into so many fun things.
For this turkey, kids can trace their hand on colored paper. That becomes the feathers, which is such a sweet touch. Then cut them out together.
Place the roll on a brown paper base and add the legs. It’s simple, but it feels like a tiny handmade toy when it’s done.
20. Toque Pumpkins
These are honestly one of my favorites. They look so soft and cozy, like little fall pillows. The first time I made one, I couldn’t stop smiling.
Take a knitted toque and stuff it with an old shirt or sweater. Tie it tight with an elastic band. Then wrap brown yarn around the top to make a stem.
You can add buttons or beads if you want extra charm. Each one turns out a bit different, and that’s the best part.
21. Thanksgiving Kids Table Printables
If you’ve ever hosted a big Thanksgiving, you know kids get bored fast. I learned that the hard way. That’s when these printables became a lifesaver.
Set up a small table just for them. Add crayons, pencils, and fun sheets to color or play with. It keeps them busy while you enjoy your meal.
You can even add cute napkin rings to make it feel special. It’s a small touch, but kids notice it. And trust me, a calm kids’ table makes the whole day smoother.
22. Thanksgiving Place Cards
I learned this the hard way—place cards really do matter when you host Thanksgiving. I used to keep things super casual, but once guests outside the family came over, I saw how helpful they are. It keeps things smooth and avoids that awkward “where do I sit?” moment.
One year, I got the kids involved, and honestly, it saved me. They stayed busy, and I got one task off my plate. It felt like teamwork, not stress.
So just grab a template, print it, and start putting them together. It’s simple, fun, and makes your table feel a bit more special.
23. Turkey Headband Printable
If you need a way to keep kids happy for hours, this is it. I’ve seen how excited they get with these turkey headbands—it’s like they step into their own little Thanksgiving parade.
You can go wild with it. Paint, crayons, glitter—anything works. Kids love adding feathers, and yes, it can get messy, but that’s part of the fun.
Print the template on cardstock if you can. It holds up better when kids wear them all day. Trust me, they will not want to take them off.
24. Handprint Turkey Craft
Whenever I run out of ideas, I go back to handprint art. It never fails. There’s something sweet about turning tiny hands into colorful turkeys.
What I love most is how each one turns out different. Big hands, small hands—it all adds charm. You end up with a whole family of turkeys.
All you need is colored paper, scissors, glue, and a few googly eyes. It’s easy, fun, and feels a bit nostalgic too.
25. Bandanna Turkey Wreath
This wreath has such a cozy feel to it. The mix of colors and patterns reminds me of warm fall evenings. And that little turkey face at the bottom? So cute.
I once hung one on a kid’s bedroom door, and they couldn’t stop smiling. It’s one of those crafts that feels like decor and play at the same time.
You’ll need bandannas, a wire wreath form, felt, glue, and scissors. It’s simple but looks like you spent hours on it.
26. Corn Craft
Okay, this one is fun in a different way. I like to make popcorn first and turn it into a little snack break. Then, without them noticing, we turn snack time into craft time.
Save a few kernels before you start eating. You’ll need them for the project. You can draw a corn cob or use a template if you prefer.
Then comes the fun part—glue everywhere. Popcorn, kernels, laughter… it gets a bit chaotic, but in the best way.
27. Preschool Pumpkin Craft
I don’t know what it is, but these paper pumpkins always make me smile. Maybe it’s the goofy eyes or the simple shapes. They just feel happy.
This is one of the easiest crafts you can do. Just grab some colored paper and start cutting and sticking. No stress, no fuss.
You can glue it onto a white sheet or just hang it on the fridge. Either way, it feels like a small win on a busy day.