Thanksgiving Crafts for Elementary School Kids: Step-ByStep

October hits and suddenly my third-grader is asking about Thanksgiving projects while I’m still figuring out what happened to summer.

Thanksgiving crafts for kids elementary hit that sweet spot where they can follow directions without you doing everything, but still feel accomplished. Plus, these projects might give you five minutes to think about that turkey you haven’t ordered yet.

1. Thankful Tree

A thankful tree for Thanksgiving Day.

Materials:

  • Small branch in a vase
  • Construction paper (fall colors)
  • Scissors
  • String
  • Marker

Instructions:

  1. Cut leaf shapes from paper.
  2. Write something you’re thankful for on each leaf.
  3. Punch holes and tie to the branch.

A heartfelt thanksgiving crafts for kids elementary that encourages gratitude while making a beautiful display.

2. Woven Paper Placemats

A woven paper placemat with the colors of fall.

Materials:

  • Construction paper (various colors) in Thanksgiving colors — shades of brown, orange, and yellow.
  • Scissors
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. Cut one sheet into even strips.
  2. Cut slits into another sheet and weave strips through.
  3. Glue edges to secure.

A fun crafts for kids project that strengthens fine motor skills and decorates the dinner table.

3. Pilgrim Ship Craft

A Pilgrim ship craft.

Materials:

  • Empty egg cartons
  • Brown construction paper
  • White paper
  • Toothpicks
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
  • Crayons or markers

Instructions:

  1. Cut egg cartons into strips of 2-3 cups to make individual boats
  2. Cut small triangular sails from white paper
  3. Let kids decorate the sails with markers or crayons
  4. Carefully poke a toothpick through each sail
  5. Press the toothpick into the bottom of an egg cup to create the mast
  6. Cut small flags from brown paper and attach to the top of the toothpick

An engaging thanksgiving arts and crafts for kids that ties in history and creativity. Check out this post on 17 Pilgrim and Native-American inspired crafts for kids.

4. Paper Roll Turkey Napkin Rings

A paper roll turkey napkin ring.

Materials:

  • Toilet paper rolls
  • Brown paint
  • Construction paper (colorful feathers)
  • Glue
  • Googly eyes

Instructions:

  1. Paint the rolls brown.
  2. Add paper feathers, eyes, and beaks.
  3. Slide over rolled napkins for the table.

One of the easiest thanksgiving crafts for kids elementary that makes dinner feel special.

5. Gratitude Jar

A gratitude jar for Thanksgiving Day.

Materials:

  • Empty jar
  • Paper strips
  • Pens
  • Ribbon

Instructions:

  1. Decorate the jar with ribbon.
  2. Write thankful messages on paper strips.
  3. Place in jar to read aloud on Thanksgiving.

A meaningful thanksgiving day crafts for kids idea that can become a yearly tradition.

6. 3D Paper Pumpkins

A 3D paper pumpkin.

Materials:

  • Orange cardstock
  • Green paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. Cut several circles from orange paper.
  2. Fold each in half and glue sides together.
  3. Add a green stem.

This easy thanksgiving crafts for kids idea is festive and looks great as a centerpiece.

7. Mayflower Hat

A pilgrim hat.

Materials:

  • White and black paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Stapler

Instructions:

  1. Cut hat shapes from paper.
  2. Assemble with glue.
  3. Staple to fit the head.

A playful thanksgiving kids craft that adds to the fun of the celebration.

8. Turkey Wreath

A turkey wreath made with a paper pate and construction paper in different colors.

Materials:

  • Paper plate
  • Feathers or colored paper
  • Glue
  • Googly eyes

Instructions:

  1. Cut out the center of the plate.
  2. Glue feathers around the edge.
  3. Add a turkey face at the bottom.

One of the most colorful thanksgiving crafts for kids to make and hang on the door.

9. Harvest Garland

A Thanksgiving kid's craft.

Materials:

  • Construction paper (fall colors)
  • String
  • Scissors
  • Glue or tape

Instructions:

  1. Cut leaf, pumpkin, and corn shapes.
  2. Attach to the string with glue or tape.
  3. Hang across a wall or mantel.

This diy crafts for kids project brings autumn cheer into any home.

10. Mason Jar Turkey Luminary

A mason jar luminary.

Materials:

  • Mason jar
  • Brown paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Construction paper (red, orange, yellow)
  • Googly eyes
  • Glue
  • Battery-operated tea light

Instructions:

  1. Paint the mason jar brown and let it dry.
  2. Cut feather shapes from the construction paper.
  3. Glue the feathers to the back of the jar.
  4. Glue on googly eyes, a beak, and a wattle.
  5. Place the tea light inside and turn it on.

A cozy Thanksgiving kids craft that makes a warm table decoration for family dinner. Perfect for kids with a little paint-and-glue fun.

11. Painted Rock Turkey

A painted rock turkey.

Materials:

  • Smooth oval rock
  • Brown paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Construction paper (red, orange, yellow)
  • Googly eyes
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. Paint the rock brown and let it dry.
  2. Cut feather shapes from the paper.
  3. Glue feathers to the back of the rock.
  4. Add googly eyes, a beak, and a wattle.

A simple craft for kids easy enough for tiny hands, this turkey makes a cute decoration for Thanksgiving.

12. Leaf Turkey Collage

A leaf turkey collage.

Materials:

  • Construction paper
  • Real fall leaves
  • Googly eyes
  • Glue
  • Brown paper circle for the turkey’s body
  • Small orange paper triangle for beak
  • Small red paper piece for wattle

Instructions:

  1. Glue the brown paper circle in the center of the paper.
  2. Arrange the leaves around the circle as feathers.
  3. Glue the leaves in place.
  4. Add googly eyes, beak, and wattle.

This craft uses nature’s own colors and textures for a beautiful turkey display.

13. Bottle Cap Turkey Magnets

A bottle cap turkey magnet.

Materials:

  • Bottle caps
  • Brown paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Construction paper (red, orange, yellow)
  • Googly eyes
  • Small magnet strips
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. Paint bottle caps brown and let dry.
  2. Cut paper feathers.
  3. Glue feathers to back of bottle cap.
  4. Add googly eyes, beak, and wattle.
  5. Stick a magnet on the back.

A fun craft for kids to make fridge decorations for Thanksgiving. They will love gifting these to family.

14. Corn Husk Doll

A corn husk doll.

Materials:

  • Dried corn husks
  • Bowl of water
  • Twine or string
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Soak corn husks in water to make them flexible.
  2. Layer husks and tie at one end to make the head.
  3. Separate husks for arms and tie again for the waist.
  4. Trim to shape the skirt or legs.

An easy Thanksgiving kids craft inspired by tradition, this simple doll is great for storytelling or pretend play.

15. Gratitude Stones

A gratitude stone painted by a kid.

Materials:

  • Smooth flat stones
  • Paint pens or markers
  • Paint (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Wash and dry stones.
  2. Paint them if you want a colorful base, let dry.
  3. Use paint pens to write words of thanks or draw small pictures.

A heartfelt Thanksgiving arts and crafts for kids idea, helping little ones think about what they are grateful for.

16. Twig and Leaf Scarecrow

A scarecrow made with twigs.

Materials:

  • Small twigs or sticks
  • Colorful autumn leaves (real or fake)
  • Glue or hot glue (with adult supervision)
  • Small piece of fabric or felt for clothing
  • Markers for face
  • Small hat (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Arrange twigs into a “cross” shape and glue them together to form the scarecrow body.
  2. Glue leaves around the twigs for arms, legs, and hair.
  3. Cut fabric or felt to make a shirt or pants for the scarecrow and glue them on.
  4. Draw a smiling face with markers and glue on a hat if desired.

A fun fall-themed Thanksgiving craft for kids elementary to make using nature finds. This easy scarecrow adds charm to holiday decorations.

17. Stuffed Felt Pumpkin

A stuffed felt pumpkin.

Materials:

  • Orange felt
  • Green felt (for leaves and stem)
  • Needle and thread or fabric glue
  • Cotton or fiberfill stuffing
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Cut two identical pumpkin shapes from orange felt.
  2. Sew or glue around the edges, leaving a small opening.
  3. Stuff the pumpkin with cotton or fiberfill.
  4. Close the opening and glue or sew on a green felt stem and leaves.

A soft and simple Thanksgiving kids craft perfect for decorating tables or windowsills.

18. Pop-Up Thanksgiving Card

A pop-up Thanksgiving card.

Materials:

  • Cardstock or construction paper
  • Colored markers or crayons
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Stickers or Thanksgiving-themed cutouts (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Fold a piece of cardstock in half to create the card base.
  2. Cut a small rectangle in the center fold to create the “pop-up” tab.
  3. Push the tab inward so it pops up when the card is opened.
  4. Decorate the outside and inside of the card with Thanksgiving designs, writing a festive message inside.

A sweet handmade card kids can create to share gratitude with family and friends during Thanksgiving.

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These Thanksgiving crafts for kids elementary are perfect for kids who want to create something meaningful but still love a good mess. Your kitchen table will look like a craft store exploded, but watching your kiddo proudly display their creation is worth every piece of paper you’ll be finding until Christmas. Now go make some memories – and maybe hide the glitter.

if you’re looking for more Thanksgiving crafts, explore these 14 ideas to keep them busy—plus these for preschoolers, fun and easy Thanksgiving crafts, and Thanksgiving card ideas for kids.

You might also find inspiration in this collection of Thanksgiving painted rocks that are as fun to make as they are to display.

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