Thanksgiving is a cherished time for celebrating family, food, and togetherness. However, keeping children engaged while the holiday meal is prepared can be a challenge. Craft activities offer an excellent way to entertain kids and involve them in the festivities as they eagerly await the turkey. Here are five delightful and simple Thanksgiving crafts that children can enjoy while the culinary magic unfolds.

Leaf Decorations

Faux autumn leaves are a fantastic way to infuse any space with a cozy fall ambiance. Kids can use these leaves to decorate the Thanksgiving table, create charming wall or mantel displays, or enhance door frames and party areas with vibrant colors. These leaves are also ideal for crafting wreaths, fall-inspired flower arrangements, and various other creative projects. For those seeking easy and child-friendly crafting materials, these leaves are a perfect choice.

Looking to buy decorative leaves? Amazon offers a wide selection.

Pumpkin Painting Fun

Who says pumpkins are just for Halloween? This classic fall staple works all season long, and decorating them is a fun project for kids of all ages. Pick up a few mini pumpkins, real ones from a local farm or small artificial ones from the store, and let the kids paint sweet Thanksgiving themes on them. It’s simple, creative, and makes the perfect holiday tabletop decor.

Purchase the entire paint kit here. 

Pinecone Turkey

This is one that has survived generations and is still a hit with the kids. Using natural materials like pinecones, kids can create adorable little turkeys. Simply collect pinecones, then attach colorful feathers (real or craft feathers), a googly eye, and a small piece of orange paper for a beak. This simple craft incorporates elements of nature and can be a great way for kids to explore textures and colors.

Need a pinecone turkey kid for the kids? Click here for 80-pieces of fun!

Toilet Paper Roll Turkey

Hold onto those empty paper rolls—they’re perfect for a quick Thanksgiving craft. Kids can trace their hands on colorful construction paper, cut them out, and glue the handprints around the roll to create a cute, personalized turkey.

This is one that you don’t need to go to a store or order online for materials!

Family Thankful Jar

This is a craft that keeps on giving. Kids can decorate the jar however they like, and the whole family can join in by adding notes about what they’re thankful for all season long. Just grab an empty jar and print the free templates to make this meaningful project come to life.

Want some instruction and printables that you can use to put your jars together? Click here.

Didn’t see anything on our list for your kids? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at more options from the experts at Good Housekeeping. 

From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!