After the Halloween buzz, there’s often a letdown. Kids may wake up on November 1 feeling a bit like Charlie Brown with a bag full of rocks or Linus after the Great Pumpkin is a no show again. You don’t want to leapfrog over November and dive right into decking the halls though. Sure, taking the Halloween decorations down can be sad, but there is more to November than those hand turkeys everyone used to make in school.
There’s quite a lot of excitement surrounding Thanksgiving. So, don’t break out the gingerbread and holly just yet. Those pumpkins, scarecrows, gourds, and fall leaves still look amazing. Add to it with these fun Thanksgiving activities for kids that will give everyone something to gobble about and make the house look festive for Turkey Day.
Thanksgiving activities for kids
The hand turkey is an arts and crafts staple mostly because it’s simple to make. All you need is a hand, crayons, and a piece of paper. Those handprint turkeys still look adorable on the refrigerator, but if you’re looking for something else to brighten up November while keeping the kiddos busy, try these easy Thanksgiving crafts.
Pine cone turkeys
These are another Thanksgiving craft mainstay, but take the handprint turkey to new heights. You can use pine cones you find in the backyard, but those may be sticky. Pine cones from the craft store or Amazon won’t have that stickiness little ones will find annoying. Along with the pine cones, you’ll need googly eyes, paper or craft feathers, and a piece of red felt for the warble. You can use red construction paper for the warble, too. A glue gun works best when it comes to putting the turkey together. An adult or teen should put the glue on the pieces for little ones.
If you’re using construction paper for feathers, precut them for toddlers and preschoolers. Kindergarten and up can cut their own. It’s good practice for those fine motor skills. Kids can decorate the feathers with markers or crayons if they want. Once the feathers are ready, it’s time to glue. Fan out the feathers along the big end of the pine cone. Layered feathers, whether paper or craft, look better. Cut a small triangle from felt or paper for the warble. Using the glue gun, attach the eyes and warble to the small end of the pine cone. Allow them to dry before moving them. Kids can make multiple pine cones for Thanksgiving decorations.
Painted leaf placemats
If you’re hosting, having the kids make Thanksgiving placemats is always a fun and useful activity. This is a simple project and makes use of those old paper bags you may have hanging around.
- Using the plain side of a paper bag draw and cut out large paper leaves. If you need a pattern, there’s always free ones online to download and print. For little ones, trace and cut out the leaves.
- Have kids paint the leaves using watercolors.
- Allow to dry completely.
- Glue onto 9-by-11 construction paper in fall colors.
- Dry completely.
These painted leaf placemats look awesome on their own. If you have time and want to make them more durable, laminate them or cover them in contact paper.
Thankful tree
Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks. So, if you want to create a cool centerpiece while getting the family to think about what they are thankful for, this Thanksgiving craft is a perfect one for everyone. Take a nature walk and collect some branches to cut up and place in a small vase. You can also use artificial branches if there are allergies in the house.
- Have kids trace and precut medium to small construction paper leaves in fall colors.
- Punch a hole on one end of each leaf with a hole punch.
- Cut 3-inch pieces of yarn in fall colors.
- Have each family member write things they are thankful for on different leaves.
- Use the yarn pieces to make hangers by tying the ends. You could also use paperclips to hang the leaves.
- Once the leaves are all done, decorate the branches.
Your thankful tree can be used as a centerpiece or a decoration for the dessert table. Family members and guests will enjoy reading what everyone is grateful for this Thanksgiving.
Play-Doh turkey
What kids don’t love to get busy with Play-Doh? Parents may hate the mess, but Play-Doh is a wonderful way for toddlers and preschoolers to work on those fine motor skills. Play-Doh turkeys are so easy to make, too. All need is different colored Play-Doh and craft feathers.
Two balls form the head and body of the turkey like a snowman. Use smaller pieces of Play-Doh to fashion eyes and that signature warble. If you want to get fancy, you can use googly eyes instead. Then, stick the colored feathers into the Play-Doh to put the finishing touches on the turkey. If you’d rather make your own playdough and have time, it’s easy to make.
Sponge painting with fall colors
For a fun, but messy Thanksgiving activity for kids, get some finger or washable paint in fall colors. Cut up sponges in different fall shapes like apples, leaves, and pumpkins. You can also buy craft sponges already cut up. Place a dollar store tablecloth over the table for easy cleanup. Put a different fall color on separate paper plates.
Let the kids create fall pictures on finger paint paper by dipping the sponges in paint and letting those artistic juices flow. You can also use construction paper or poster board. A thicker paper is always best. Kids can make sponge prints or paint with the sponges. Placing clothespins on the sponges may minimize the amount of paint on the hands. Allow their creations to dry completely and you have some instant fall placemats.
When Halloween is over and November rolls in, there’s that lag before the December holiday excitement really kicks in. Fall is such an awesome time when those clocks go back an hour it gets dark earlier. Thanksgiving activities for kids and the whole family are an awesome way to spend a craft night, rainy day, or any time the kiddos have that I’m-bored lament. Crafts get everyone off of their devices. These cool Thanksgiving crafts also double as holiday decorations, too.
