Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Crafts and Activities at Home

Thanksgiving is a time for family, great food, and appreciation for what we have. It’s also a time when having young kids around can make focusing on dinner (or just sitting down!) nearly impossible. But that doesn’t have to be a problem — in fact, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to get creative with easy, kid-friendly crafts and activities.

Here’s a list of 15 Thanksgiving crafts and activities to keep your kids occupied while creating lasting memories as a family. From easy art projects and Thanksgiving games to simple decorations your children can make themselves, this list is full of ideas that are simple, inexpensive, and — most of all — fun!

15 Simple Thanksgiving Crafts and Activities for Kids

1. Handprint Turkey Art

We start our list with a tried-and-true favorite: handprint turkeys are a classic for a reason. They’re easy, cute, and kids love making them. Plus, they’re a keepsake you can enjoy for years to come.

You’ll need:

Construction paper
Washable paint or markers
Googly eyes (optional)
Glue and scissors

Instructions:

Have your child trace their hand on a sheet of paper.
Turn the thumb into the turkey’s head and the fingers into feathers.
Decorate the feathers however they want — with bright colors, patterns, or even pieces of tissue paper.
Add eyes, a beak, and those cute little “gobbler” details.
Write the year and your child’s name at the bottom for a keepsake you can enjoy for years to come.

Tip: Want to make it even more special? Use the handprint turkeys as place cards for your Thanksgiving table. Simply write each guest’s name on the turkey’s belly!

2. Thankful Tree

Helping kids understand and express gratitude is one of the most important parts of Thanksgiving. A Thankful Tree is a great way to help them open up about what they’re thankful for.

You’ll need:

A few small branches (real or fake)
A vase or jar
Construction paper in fall colors (red, orange, yellow, brown)
String or ribbon
Scissors and markers

Instructions:

Arrange the branches in the vase in a tree shape.
Cut out leaf shapes from the paper.
Each family member writes something they’re thankful for on a leaf.
Punch a hole in each leaf and tie it onto a branch with ribbon.

By Thanksgiving Day, your tree will be covered in “leaves” that express gratitude — and it doubles as a beautiful centerpiece.

3. DIY Turkey Hats

If your kids love to dress up, this is the craft for them. Turkey hats are goofy, festive, and perfect for a photo op.

You’ll need:

Construction paper in fall colors
Tape or a stapler
Scissors and glue

Instructions:

Cut a long strip of brown paper to fit around your child’s head.
Cut out feather shapes in red, orange, and yellow.
Glue or tape the feathers to the back of the brown band.
Add a turkey face to the front with a beak and eyes.

Have everyone make one and take a “turkey family” photo before dinner. You’ll be laughing about it for years!

4. Pumpkin Bowling

Turn a mini pumpkin into a bowling ball and empty plastic bottles into pins for a Thanksgiving twist on a classic game.

You’ll need:

6–10 empty plastic bottles (milk, soda, or water bottles work well)
A small pumpkin (remove the stem)
Paint and stickers to decorate the bottles

Instructions:

Line the bottles up in a triangle like bowling pins.
Let the kids roll the pumpkin and see how many they can knock down.

Tip: Add numbers to the bottles for a version of the game that doubles as a math lesson. Sneaky learning never felt so good!

5. Gratitude Scavenger Hunt

A gratitude scavenger hunt is a great way to get kids moving while focusing on what they appreciate. This activity works indoors or outdoors and is perfect for any age.

Instructions:
Create a simple list for kids to find items like:

Something that makes you smile
Something that smells good
Something you love to share
Something that reminds you of family
Something that makes you feel cozy

Once they find everything, bring the family together and discuss why each item made them feel grateful. It’s a heartwarming (and active) way to connect with one another.

Related: How to Make Your Kids Genius

6. Corn Husk Dolls

Corn husk dolls are a nod to traditional Native American crafts. Making these simple dolls is a fun way to combine creativity with a little history.

You’ll need:

Dried corn husks (available at grocery or craft stores)
String or twine
Scissors
Water

Instructions:

Soak the corn husks in warm water for about 10 minutes to make them soft.
Stack a few husks together and tie a string about an inch from the top to create the doll’s head.
Fold more husks down to make the arms and body, securing each section with twine.
Kids can decorate their dolls with markers, fabric scraps, or ribbon.

Teach a bit of early American history and resourcefulness while they play!

7. Thanksgiving Story Stones

Story stones are a fun way to encourage creativity and storytelling — while keeping little hands busy.

You’ll need:

Smooth, flat stones (from your yard or a craft store)
Acrylic paint or paint pens
Clear sealant spray (optional)

Instructions:

Paint simple Thanksgiving-themed images on each stone — turkeys, pies, leaves, corn, pilgrims, or hearts.
Once dry, use them to tell stories together. Each person picks a stone and adds a line to the story!

8. Mini Pumpkin Painting

If carving pumpkins is too messy or time-consuming, let the kids paint them instead! They can decorate mini pumpkins any way they like — cute, silly, or sparkly.

You’ll need:

Mini pumpkins
Acrylic paint
Brushes
Stickers, glitter, or googly eyes

Instructions:

Cover your workspace with newspaper or an old tablecloth.
Let the kids paint their pumpkins however they want.
Add finishing touches like stickers or sequins.

Bonus: Use the pumpkins as table decorations or write names on them for personalized place settings!

9. Make a Family Recipe Book

Thanksgiving is all about family traditions, especially in the kitchen. Why not create a family keepsake cookbook full of your favorite recipes?

Instructions:

Have each family member choose a favorite recipe — Grandma’s pumpkin pie, Dad’s mashed potatoes, or your child’s favorite dessert.
Let the kids decorate each recipe page with drawings or stickers.
Collect the pages in a binder or small notebook.

You’ll have a beautiful keepsake you can add to every year — and the kids will feel proud to have contributed to the family tradition.

10. Paper Bag Turkeys

This simple craft doubles as an art project and a puppet playtime activity!

You’ll need:

Paper lunch bags
Construction paper
Glue, scissors, and markers

Instructions:

Turn the paper bag upside down so the flap is the turkey’s face.
Cut out feathers, a beak, and a wattle (the red part under the beak).
Glue them on and decorate.

When you’re done, hold a mini “Turkey Puppet Show” — the perfect way to keep the kids entertained while dinner finishes in the kitchen.

11. Thanksgiving Bingo

Turn classic bingo into a Thanksgiving-themed family game.

You’ll need:

Printable Thanksgiving bingo cards (many free options are available online)
Small candies or corn kernels to use as markers

Play this while dinner’s in the oven or after dessert. It’s easy, fun, and works for all ages.

12. Gratitude Jar

This is a simple, meaningful activity you can keep doing all year long.

You’ll need:

A large jar or container
Small slips of paper
Pens or markers

Every day leading up to Thanksgiving (or even afterward), have everyone write down something they’re grateful for and drop it in the jar. On Thanksgiving Day, open it and take turns reading the notes aloud. It’s a heartwarming reminder of all the good things in life.

13. Apple Stamping Art

Turn fruit into painting tools! Apple stamping is a fast, easy craft that creates beautiful fall-themed art.

You’ll need:

Apples (cut in half)
Washable paint
Paper plates and paper

Instructions:

Dip the apple halves in paint, then press them onto paper to make prints.
Use markers or paint to turn the prints into pumpkins, flowers, or even turkeys!

Kids love watching the patterns appear — it’s messy fun at its best.

14. Build a “Thanksgiving Fort”

Sometimes the best memories come from the simplest things. Grab blankets, pillows, and chairs, and help your kids build a Thanksgiving-themed fort. Decorate it with paper leaves or string lights, then all crawl inside to:

Read Thanksgiving books together
Tell stories
Share what you’re thankful for

It’s a cozy, magical way to spend time as a family.

15. Family Movie and Popcorn Night

After a long day of cooking, eating, and crafting, sometimes the best way to wind down is a family movie.

Pick a cozy one like A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving or Free Birds, make some popcorn, and snuggle up together. If you want to add a twist, let the kids make their own “popcorn mix” with pretzels, candy corn, or mini marshmallows.

Filling Up on Crafts: Wrapping It All Up

Thanksgiving is more than just the food — it’s the memories we create as a family that make the holiday so special. By filling the day with creativity, gratitude, and fun, you’re giving your kids something far more meaningful than just another holiday.

Whether it’s making a simple handprint turkey, writing thankful notes, or laughing over a silly turkey hat, the activities on this list help children express themselves, learn gratitude, and feel connected to family traditions.

So this Thanksgiving, don’t forget to carve out a little space at the table (or on the floor!) for some kid-friendly crafting time. You’ll be amazed at how a few paper feathers, some glue, and a little imagination can turn a regular day into a truly special celebration.

Happy Thanksgiving — and happy crafting!

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ONWE DAMIAN

Onwe Damian Chukwuemeka is a relationship and self-improvement coach, as well as a final-year law student at the University of Calabar, Nigeria. He has distinguished himself in leadership and service, and has held key positions such as Deputy Director of Public Prosecution in the Students’ Union Government and Justice of the Malabor High Court, University of Calabar, Nigeria. Learn more about him

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