Thanksgiving Craft Ideas To Do with Family
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones and give thanks for the blessings in our lives. But beyond the turkey and pumpkin pie, it’s also a wonderful opportunity to create lasting memories with family through fun and festive crafts. Whether you’re hosting a large family gathering or keeping things more intimate, crafting together can add a personal touch to your celebration. Here are some Thanksgiving craft ideas that are perfect for all ages and skill levels.
Handprint Turkey Art
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How to Make It:
- Trace your child’s handprints onto a stack of different colored paper.
- Cut out the handprints and glue them in a fan shape.
- Cut out a potato like shape out of brown paper to set as the base of your turkey.
- Add details such as eyes, a beak, and a waddle using paper, markers, or crayons.
Thankful Tree
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A Thankful Tree is a great family craft that encourages reflection and gratitude. This activity can be done in the days leading up to Thanksgiving or on the holiday itself.
How to Make It:
- Cut out a tree trunk and branches from brown construction paper or cardstock, and glue it onto a large piece of poster board or cardboard.
- For the leaves, cut out leaf shapes from colorful construction paper (think autumn hues like red, yellow, orange, and brown).
- Each family member writes something they are thankful for on a leaf, and then they attach it to the tree.
- You can display the Thankful Tree as a centerpiece at the dinner table, adding new leaves throughout the day.
This craft can be a wonderful conversation starter and a meaningful tradition that helps everyone reflect on the things they’re grateful for.
Pinecone Turkey Place Cards
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These adorable pinecone turkeys make perfect table settings and add a charming touch to your Thanksgiving dinner. Plus, they’re simple to make!
How to Make It:
- Collect some pinecones, either from your yard or a craft store.
- Use colorful craft feathers or strips of construction paper to create the turkey’s feathers, gluing them onto the back of the pinecone.
- For the turkey’s face, cut small shapes from paper, fabric, pipecleaner, and use googly eyes. Add it to the pinecone along with a small orange beak and red waddle.
- Write each guest’s name on a small tag or piece of paper and attach it to the pinecone with string or glue.
Not only do these cute place cards serve as decorations, but they also make great keepsakes for your guests to take home.
DIY Corn Husk Wreath
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A corn husk wreath adds a natural, rustic feel to your Thanksgiving décor. Plus, making a wreath together is a great way to bond with family and tap into your crafty side.
How to Make It:
- Gather dried corn husks (you can find these at craft stores or harvest them yourself if you live in an area where corn is grown).
- Form a circle with a wreath frame or use a large piece of cardboard cut into a ring shape.
- Glue the corn husks onto the wreath frame, overlapping slightly to create a full, textured look.
- Once the wreath is complete, you can add additional elements like ribbon, small pumpkins, or fall-colored berries for decoration.
This craft is not only fun but also a great way to use natural materials to create something beautiful for your home.
Turkey Gratitude Treat Jars
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This simple yet meaningful craft is a wonderful way to involve family members of all ages in reflecting on what they’re thankful for.
How to Make It:
- Set up a “Gratitude Jar” for each family member. Cut out a beak from paper and add google eyes to the jars so they resemble turkeys.
- Fill the jars with treats and have each member add something they’re greatful for on tail feather paper pieces.
- At the end of the day or during the meal, take turns reading some of the notes aloud.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to get creative with your family. Crafting together not only provides a fun, hands-on activity but also helps to create meaningful memories that will last for years. Whether you’re making handprint turkeys, creating a Thankful Tree, or designing beautiful centerpieces, these crafts add a personal touch to your holiday celebration.
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