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Thanksgiving is the perfect time to get crafty with your kids! From adorable turkeys and colorful leaf garlands to festive table decorations and thankful keepsakes, these easy DIY Thanksgiving decorations are fun to make and will add a personal touch to your holiday home. Most of these crafts use simple supplies you probably already have, making them budget-friendly and perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, elementary-aged kids, and the whole family.
1. Handprint Turkey Wall Art
Turn your child’s painted handprint into a colorful turkey using construction paper, googly eyes, and markers.
👉 Craft Tip: Write the year and your child’s age on the artwork to create a keepsake you’ll treasure.
🛍 Shop here:
Washable Kids Paint Set
2. Paper Plate Turkey
Transform a paper plate into a cheerful turkey using colored paper feathers, googly eyes, and a paper beak.
👉 Craft Tip: Add glitter glue to the feathers for extra sparkle.
🛍 Shop here:
Paper Plates for Crafts
3. Thankful Leaf Garland
Cut colorful paper leaves and have each family member write something they’re thankful for before stringing them together.
👉 Craft Tip: Hang the garland across the mantel or dining room wall.
🛍 Shop here:
Fall Colored Cardstock Paper
4. Pinecone Turkeys
Glue colorful feathers, googly eyes, and tiny beaks onto pinecones to create adorable Thanksgiving decorations.
👉 Craft Tip: Display them as table centerpieces or on shelves.
🛍 Shop here:
Craft Pinecones Bulk Pack
5. Toilet Paper Roll Turkey
Recycle empty toilet paper rolls into cute standing turkeys with paper feathers and funny faces.
👉 Craft Tip: Let kids mix and match colorful feather patterns.
🛍 Shop here:
Kids Craft Supply Kit
6. Mini Pumpkin Painting
Let kids decorate mini pumpkins with paint, stickers, glitter, or washable markers instead of carving.
👉 Craft Tip: Use metallic paint for a modern Thanksgiving display.
🛍 Shop here:
Mini Faux Pumpkins
7. Turkey Hand Puppet
Create fun turkey puppets using brown paper bags and colorful paper feathers.
👉 Craft Tip: Encourage kids to perform a Thanksgiving puppet show afterward.
🛍 Shop here:
Brown Paper Lunch Bags
8. Popsicle Stick Scarecrow
Glue popsicle sticks together and decorate them as friendly scarecrows with yarn hair and tiny hats.
👉 Craft Tip: Paint the sticks before assembling for bright fall colors.
🛍 Shop here:
Colored Popsicle Sticks
9. Tissue Paper Fall Tree
Glue crumpled tissue paper onto a paper tree template to create colorful autumn leaves.
👉 Craft Tip: Mix red, orange, yellow, and brown tissue paper for a realistic look.
🛍 Shop here:
Assorted Tissue Paper Pack
10. Thanksgiving Mason Jar Lantern
Decorate mason jars with tissue paper leaves and place battery-operated tea lights inside.
👉 Craft Tip: Display them on the dining table during Thanksgiving dinner.
🛍 Shop here:
Mason Jars with Lids
11. Coffee Filter Fall Leaves
Color coffee filters with washable markers, spray lightly with water, and watch the colors blend into beautiful autumn leaves.
👉 Craft Tip: Hang the finished leaves in a sunny window.
🛍 Shop here:
Coffee Filters Bulk Pack
12. Turkey Clothespin Magnets
Paint clothespins and decorate them as tiny turkeys before attaching magnets to the back.
👉 Craft Tip: Use them to display Thanksgiving artwork on the refrigerator.
🛍 Shop here:
Wooden Clothespins for Crafts
13. Paper Bag Scarecrow
Stuff a brown paper bag with newspaper and decorate it with a smiling scarecrow face.
👉 Craft Tip: Add raffia or straw for realistic hair.
🛍 Shop here:
Raffia Craft Ribbon
14. Acorn Picture Frames
Glue small faux acorns around inexpensive wooden frames for a charming fall decoration.
👉 Craft Tip: Display a favorite family photo from autumn.
🛍 Shop here:
Wood Picture Frames for Crafts
15. Thankful Tree
Place branches in a vase and let everyone hang paper leaves listing things they’re thankful for.
👉 Craft Tip: Keep adding gratitude leaves throughout November.
🛍 Shop here:
Decorative Craft Branches
16. Turkey Finger Puppets
Make tiny turkey finger puppets from felt or cardstock for imaginative Thanksgiving storytelling.
👉 Craft Tip: Create a whole turkey family with different feather colors.
🛍 Shop here:
Colorful Felt Sheets
17. Leaf Suncatchers
Create colorful leaf-shaped suncatchers using contact paper and tissue paper pieces.
👉 Craft Tip: Hang them on windows where sunlight shines through.
🛍 Shop here:
Clear Contact Paper Roll
18. Pinecone Bird Feeders
Spread peanut butter on pinecones and roll them in birdseed to create a Thanksgiving nature craft.
👉 Craft Tip: Hang them outside and watch birds enjoy the treat.
🛍 Shop here:
Wild Bird Seed Mix
19. Turkey Windsock
Turn cardboard tubes into colorful hanging turkey windsocks with streamers and feathers.
👉 Craft Tip: Hang them near a window where they can gently sway.
🛍 Shop here:
Colorful Crepe Paper Streamers
20. Pumpkin Sun Catcher
Cut a pumpkin shape from contact paper and fill it with orange tissue paper for a glowing window decoration.
👉 Craft Tip: Add a green paper stem to complete the pumpkin.
🛍 Shop here:
Orange Tissue Paper Pack
21. Leaf Crown
Make wearable crowns from cardstock and decorate them with colorful paper leaves.
👉 Craft Tip: Let kids wear their crowns during Thanksgiving dinner.
🛍 Shop here:
Fall Leaf Craft Stickers
22. Turkey Spoon Craft
Paint wooden spoons to resemble funny little turkeys with feathers and googly eyes.
👉 Craft Tip: Display them in a mason jar on your kitchen counter.
🛍 Shop here:
Wooden Craft Spoons
23. Painted Rock Pumpkins
Paint smooth rocks with pumpkin faces, leaves, and fall colors to decorate shelves or the garden.
👉 Craft Tip: Seal the paint to help the designs last longer.
🛍 Shop here:
Rock Painting Kit
24. Cupcake Liner Turkey
Layer colorful cupcake liners into feathers and add a paper turkey body.
👉 Craft Tip: Use patterned liners for even more colorful feathers.
🛍 Shop here:
Colorful Cupcake Liners
25. Popsicle Stick Pumpkin
Arrange popsicle sticks into a pumpkin shape and paint them bright orange before adding a green stem.
👉 Craft Tip: Wrap twine around the stem for a rustic touch.
🛍 Shop here:
Wood Craft Sticks
26. Gratitude Paper Chain
Write one thing you’re thankful for on each paper strip before linking them into a festive chain.
👉 Craft Tip: Remove one link each day leading up to Thanksgiving and read it aloud.
🛍 Shop here:
Construction Paper Pack
27. Turkey Footprint Canvas
Create a turkey using your child’s painted footprint and decorate it with colorful feathers.
👉 Craft Tip: Frame the finished canvas as a yearly keepsake.
🛍 Shop here:
Blank Canvas Panels
28. Corn Mosaic Art
Use dried corn kernels, beans, and seeds to create colorful Thanksgiving mosaics.
👉 Craft Tip: Draw simple pumpkin or turkey outlines first for younger kids.
🛍 Shop here:
Craft Glue for Kids
29. Leaf Stamped Table Runner
Stamp real leaves dipped in washable paint onto a plain paper table runner to create custom Thanksgiving decor.
👉 Craft Tip: Alternate fall colors for a vibrant harvest-inspired design.
🛍 Shop here:
Roll of Kraft Paper
30. Pumpkin Paper Fan Decoration
Fold orange paper into accordion fans and attach green paper stems to create oversized pumpkin decorations.
👉 Craft Tip: Make several different sizes for a fun wall display.
🛍 Shop here:
Orange Craft Paper Pack
31. Turkey Name Place Cards
Help kids create colorful turkey place cards for everyone attending Thanksgiving dinner.
👉 Craft Tip: Let each turkey’s feathers match the guest’s favorite colors.
🛍 Shop here:
Googly Eyes Variety Pack
32. Felt Pumpkin Banner
Cut pumpkin shapes from colorful felt and string them together into a reusable Thanksgiving banner.
👉 Craft Tip: Mix pumpkins, leaves, and acorns for extra variety.
🛍 Shop here:
Craft Felt Sheets Bundle
33. Family Gratitude Wreath
Create a paper wreath covered with colorful leaves featuring handwritten notes about what each family member is thankful for.
👉 Craft Tip: Display it on your front door or above the fireplace throughout the Thanksgiving season.
🛍 Shop here:
Foam Wreath Form
Making Thanksgiving decorations together is a wonderful way to spend quality family time while encouraging creativity and gratitude. These kid-friendly DIY crafts are simple enough for little hands, affordable to make, and festive enough to brighten every corner of your home. From adorable turkeys to heartfelt thankful displays, each project helps create lasting memories that your family will look forward to every Thanksgiving.
Save this post to your Pinterest board so you can come back to these cute Thanksgiving DIY decorations anytime!
