Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday to dive into fun, family-centered art projects that let kids explore their creativity while celebrating the season. With gratitude in the air and everyone gathered around, it’s the ideal time to bring out some festive crafts that keep the kids entertained and engaged. From charming decorations to keepsakes filled with sentiment, these projects aren’t just about making art—they’re about creating memories and filling your home with Thanksgiving cheer.
Here are 19 creative Thanksgiving art projects for kids that you can try this holiday season. These ideas range from simple to a bit more involved, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy, no matter their age or skill level. Get those art supplies ready, and let’s make this Thanksgiving a colorful, fun-filled celebration!
1. Thanksgiving Leaf Print Art
Thanksgiving is a time to appreciate the beauty of nature, and leaf print art is a wonderful way to bring a bit of the outdoors inside. Kids can gather fallen leaves, paint one side in various colors, and press them onto paper to create stunning prints. Each leaf print will be unique, capturing the textures and patterns of nature.
This project doesn’t require much—just leaves, paint, and paper—but the results can be quite striking. Encourage kids to experiment with different colors and leaf shapes, creating a unique Thanksgiving scene that brings a touch of fall to your home. Adding gold or copper paint can give the artwork a festive, shimmering touch.
2. Handprint Turkey Paintings
Handprint turkeys are a classic Thanksgiving craft that adds a personal touch to holiday decor. Kids dip their hands in paint, then press them onto paper or canvas to create a turkey shape. Each finger represents a colorful feather, while the thumb acts as the turkey’s body.
Once the handprints are dry, kids can use markers or paint to add a face, beak, and feet to bring their turkeys to life. It’s a simple project, but it captures the holiday spirit in a way that’s memorable and fun for kids and parents alike. Personalize each turkey with the child’s name and year for a sweet keepsake.
3. Gratitude Garland
A gratitude garland is a beautiful way for kids to express what they’re thankful for while creating a meaningful decoration. Kids can cut out shapes like leaves or pumpkins from colorful paper and write or draw something they’re grateful for on each one.
When finished, string the pieces together to form a garland that can be displayed across a mantel or doorway. This project isn’t just decorative—it’s a reminder of what matters most during Thanksgiving. Kids will enjoy contributing to the family’s Thanksgiving decor while practicing gratitude in a fun, creative way.
4. Pumpkin Seed Mosaics
Pumpkin seed mosaics add a unique twist to Thanksgiving crafting by using dried pumpkin seeds to create designs. After drying the seeds, kids can arrange them on cardboard or canvas in shapes like turkeys, leaves, or pumpkins, then glue them down.
For extra fun, dye the seeds with food coloring to add vibrant shades of fall. This project is a fantastic way to use up leftover pumpkin seeds while encouraging kids to play with patterns and designs. Add a touch of glitter to give the artwork a festive sparkle.
5. DIY Thankful Tree
Creating a thankful tree is a lovely way to combine art with gratitude during Thanksgiving. Kids can create a tree out of construction paper or use branches from outside, then add colorful leaves with messages of thanks written on each one.
As they add their leaves, the tree becomes fuller and more beautiful, representing the things they’re thankful for. Displaying the tree around your home adds a heartwarming touch to your Thanksgiving decor, reminding everyone of the holiday’s true meaning.
6. Corn Husk Painting
Corn husk painting offers a rustic, artistic activity that kids will enjoy. Gather dried corn husks and paint, then let kids create patterns or pictures directly onto the husks. This project is unique and gives children the chance to experiment with different colors and designs.
Once the husks are painted, they can be arranged in a vase or placed as a table centerpiece for a festive Thanksgiving look. This simple activity allows kids to bring a bit of creativity to a traditional symbol of the season.
7. Thanksgiving Place Cards
Thanksgiving place cards are a fun way for kids to participate in setting the holiday table. Cut small cards, and let kids decorate each one with Thanksgiving-themed drawings like turkeys, pumpkins, or leaves. Kids can write each guest’s name on the card, making each place at the table feel special.
The project is simple yet adds a charming, personal touch to the Thanksgiving setup. With a few markers and a bit of imagination, kids can transform blank cards into delightful mini works of art.
8. Pine Cone Turkeys
Pine cone turkeys bring a touch of nature to your Thanksgiving decor and are fun for all ages. Start by gathering a few pine cones, then let kids glue colorful feathers onto them to create a tail. Add a face using googly eyes and a beak made from construction paper.
Each pine cone turkey has its own personality, making it a cute addition to your table or mantel. You can even create a family of turkeys with different sizes of pine cones, adding to the holiday’s charm.
9. Paper Plate Pilgrim Hats
Paper plate Pilgrim hats are a simple, historical craft kids will love to make. Using a paper plate, cut out the center to leave a ring, and add a rectangular band to create the look of a hat. Color the hat black, then add a yellow buckle for that classic Pilgrim look.
This project is easy for kids to assemble and gives them a chance to learn about Thanksgiving history. Plus, it’s something they can wear, adding a playful element to the holiday.
10. Feathered Turkey Wreath
A feathered turkey wreath is a colorful, festive decoration that kids will be excited to make. Using a paper plate as the base, kids can glue feathers around it to form a wreath and add a turkey face in the center.
This wreath adds warmth and charm to any Thanksgiving display, and kids love arranging the feathers in their own unique patterns. Hang it on your front door for a welcoming touch that brings a smile to everyone’s face.
11. Nature Walk Collage
A nature walk collage turns a simple outdoor adventure into an art project. Collect leaves, sticks, acorns, and other natural elements, then have kids arrange their finds on cardboard to create a Thanksgiving-themed collage.
This activity is an opportunity for kids to appreciate the season’s beauty and reflect it in their artwork. Not only does it get everyone outdoors, but it also brings a piece of nature into your home, adding a rustic feel to your Thanksgiving decor.
12. Painted Rock Pumpkins
Painted rock pumpkins are an easy, mess-free project perfect for young kids. Collect smooth rocks, paint them orange, and let kids add faces, patterns, or even create jack-o’-lantern designs.
Once dry, these mini pumpkins make adorable decorations for your table or garden. The project is quick, creative, and allows for plenty of artistic freedom, keeping young ones entertained and engaged.
13. Thanksgiving Story Stones
Thanksgiving story stones combine art and storytelling in a fun, interactive way. Kids paint symbols of Thanksgiving—like turkeys, Pilgrims, or corn—on stones, which they can use to tell stories about the holiday.
Each stone represents a part of the story, and kids can rearrange them to create new tales. This project fosters creativity, narrative skills, and a deeper connection to Thanksgiving traditions.
14. Acorn Cap Necklaces
Acorn cap necklaces are a cute, wearable craft for kids. Collect a few acorn caps, paint them in autumn colors, and string them onto yarn to make unique necklaces.
Kids can make one for themselves and extras for family members as small Thanksgiving gifts. This craft is simple, festive, and a lovely way to keep the season’s spirit close to heart.
15. Pilgrim Hat Crayon Holders
Pilgrim hat crayon holders keep art supplies organized while adding a touch of Thanksgiving spirit. Wrap black construction paper around a small container to create a hat shape, then add a yellow buckle for detail.
These crayon holders are practical and festive, perfect for the Thanksgiving craft table. Kids can keep them filled with crayons for future art projects, adding to the holiday fun.
16. Yarn-Wrapped Corn
Yarn-wrapped corn is an easy, colorful project that mimics the look of autumn corn. Kids can wrap yellow and orange yarn around a cardboard corn shape, creating a festive look.
This project is perfect for fine motor skills and provides a tactile experience. Display the yarn corn around your home for an added touch of Thanksgiving decor.
17. Turkey Puppet
A turkey puppet gives kids a creative outlet for some Thanksgiving-themed entertainment. Using a brown paper bag, construction paper, and markers, kids can craft their own turkey character to put on a mini Thanksgiving show.
Adding feathers, a beak, and a gobbler brings the turkey to life, encouraging imagination and play. It’s a fun way to keep kids busy and engaged while preparing for Thanksgiving dinner.
18. Popsicle Stick Scarecrows
Popsicle stick scarecrows are a classic fall craft that adds charm to your Thanksgiving decorations. Kids can glue popsicle sticks together, paint a face, and add a construction paper hat to create mini scarecrows.
These scarecrows are ideal for decorating tables or windowsills, bringing a touch of autumn warmth to your home. Kids will enjoy personalizing their scarecrows with unique faces and features.
19. Button Tree Art
Button tree art uses colorful buttons to create a textured, fall-inspired design. Kids can arrange buttons on paper or canvas to form a tree, adding a beautiful, seasonal touch to your home. This project
is a creative way for kids to work with colors and shapes, producing a piece that’s visually appealing and unique. It’s an artistic, hands-on activity that celebrates Thanksgiving’s natural beauty.
Wrapping It Up: A Memorable Thanksgiving Crafting Day
Thanksgiving is all about family, gratitude, and memories, and these art projects bring that spirit to life in the most creative way possible. Crafting together gives kids a chance to express themselves, learn about the holiday’s meaning, and create decorations that make your Thanksgiving extra special. Plus, these projects are great for keeping kids entertained and engaged while everyone preps for the big meal.
This Thanksgiving, let art and creativity be the bridge that brings everyone together. Set aside time for these festive projects, and watch as your home fills with laughter, gratitude, and beautiful creations that everyone will cherish for years to come.