The best examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids: 3 fun examples you’ll actually want to keep

If you’re looking for thoughtful examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids, a gratitude centerpiece is one of the best examples because it checks all the boxes: it’s creative, meaningful, and actually useful on the dinner table.

Instead of buying a fancy centerpiece, invite kids to make one that tells your family’s story. The basic idea is simple: a container in the middle, and lots of “thankful” decorations coming out of it.

How to make a kid-friendly gratitude centerpiece

Start with something you already have: an empty jar, a washed metal can with smooth edges, a small flowerpot, or even a cereal box trimmed down. Wrap it with construction paper, brown craft paper, or leftover gift wrap. Younger kids can cover the base with stickers, crayons, or markers. Older kids might enjoy adding patterns, hand-lettered words like “Grateful” or “Thankful,” or even short quotes about gratitude they find online or in books.

Next, create the “gratitude pieces.” One popular example of a Thanksgiving craft for kids is the gratitude leaf: kids trace leaf shapes on colored paper, cut them out, and write one thing they’re thankful for on each leaf. If cutting is too hard, pre-cut the leaves or use leaf-shaped sticky notes.

Kids can glue the leaves to:

• Wooden skewers or craft sticks (for a bouquet-style centerpiece)
• Strips of paper to make paper chains
• Ribbon or string to drape around the container

As you work, talk about gratitude in simple language. The Harvard Health team describes gratitude as noticing and appreciating the good things in life, a skill that can support kids’ emotional well-being over time (Harvard Health Publishing). Turning that idea into a hands-on craft gives kids something tangible to connect with.

Variations: More real examples of Thanksgiving crafts using the same idea

This one concept can turn into several real examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids, depending on your time and energy level:

• Gratitude Pumpkin: Use a real pumpkin or a big paper pumpkin cutout. Each day in November, kids write something they’re thankful for directly on the pumpkin (or on paper strips taped to it). By Thanksgiving, you have a full “gratitude pumpkin” to display.
• Gratitude Lanterns: Save glass jars, add tissue paper and glue around the outside, and have kids write or draw what they’re grateful for on the tissue. Add a battery-powered tea light inside for a warm glow.
• Gratitude Placemats: Kids decorate large sheets of paper with drawings and gratitude words. Laminate them (or cover with clear contact paper) for reusable placemats.

All of these are strong examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids: 3 fun examples often start here because they combine art, writing, and social-emotional learning in one project.

2. Turkey Puppets: A playful example of Thanksgiving crafts for storytelling

If your kids are more into pretend play than quiet reflection, turkey puppets are one of the best examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids that invite movement, silly voices, and storytelling.

You can make turkey puppets out of almost anything you have on hand—paper bags, socks, popsicle sticks, or cardboard tubes. The goal is simple: a turkey character kids can bring to life.

Paper bag turkey puppets (classic example of a Thanksgiving craft)

Paper bag turkeys are a tried-and-true example of a Thanksgiving craft for kids that works well in classrooms, libraries, and at home.

Here’s the basic flow:

• Use the bottom flap of a lunch-size paper bag as the turkey’s face.
• Kids draw or glue on eyes, a beak, and a wattle (that little red dangly part). Googly eyes are always a hit, but drawn eyes work just as well.
• For feathers, kids trace their hands on colored paper and cut them out, or they use pre-cut feather shapes. Glue the “feathers” to the back of the bag.

Once the turkey puppets are done, kids can:

• Put on a mini puppet show about Thanksgiving traditions.
• Act out a story about a turkey who’s thankful for something surprising.
• Use the puppets to share what they’re grateful for, one feather at a time.

This kind of craft supports language development and creativity. If you’re curious about how crafts and play can support early learning, the U.S. Department of Education has family-friendly resources on early literacy and play-based learning (ed.gov).

More examples include sock turkeys and stick puppets

To expand your toolkit of examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids, 3 fun examples of turkey puppets might look like this:

• Sock Turkey Puppets: Old clean socks become puppets with felt beaks, yarn hair, and paper or felt feathers. Kids can design whole turkey families.
• Stick Turkeys: Glue a paper or foam turkey body to a craft stick, then add paper feathers. These are great for younger kids or quick projects.
• Cup Turkeys: Turn a paper cup upside down, glue on a turkey face, and fan paper feathers around the back. Kids can use them as puppets or table decorations.

These real examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids are especially helpful if you have a mix of ages. Younger children can handle simple gluing and coloring, while older kids might write short scripts, jokes, or skits for the puppets.

3. The Thankful Tree: One of the best examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids: 3 fun examples in one

The Thankful Tree might be the most flexible example of a Thanksgiving craft you can do with kids. It works at home, in classrooms, in community centers, and even in virtual settings.

At its core, a Thankful Tree is a visual way to show all the things your family, class, or group is grateful for. Kids add leaves to the tree over time, each leaf labeled with something or someone they appreciate.

Wall or window Thankful Tree

For a wall or window version, tape a big tree trunk and branches made from brown paper or construction paper. Then:

• Pre-cut lots of colorful paper leaves.
• Place them in a basket or bowl with a few markers.
• Over the week (or the whole month of November), invite kids and adults to write or draw something they’re thankful for on a leaf and tape or glue it to the tree.

By Thanksgiving, you’ll have a full, colorful tree that’s a living example of how much good there is in your community.

Tabletop Thankful Tree

For a 3D example of a Thanksgiving craft, use a small vase or jar filled with pebbles or beans as the base. Add small branches from your yard or park (check local guidelines and be gentle with nature). Then:

• Punch a hole in each paper leaf and tie on a loop of string or ribbon.
• Kids hang their leaves on the branches as they think of new things they’re grateful for.

This makes a beautiful centerpiece and a conversation starter at dinner. If you’re hosting guests, invite each person to add a leaf when they arrive.

Why this project matters (beyond being a cute example of a Thanksgiving craft)

Projects like the Thankful Tree give kids a chance to practice gratitude, which research suggests can support mental health and resilience. Organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) share research-backed information about stress, coping, and emotional well-being in children and teens (nih.gov).

Is a paper tree a magic fix for big feelings? Of course not. But giving kids language and space to notice good things—friends, pets, favorite foods, small joys—can become a gentle daily habit.

More real examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids using everyday supplies

If you like having options, here are additional real examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids that pair nicely with the 3 fun examples above. Think of these as “bonus rounds” you can plug in depending on your time and supplies.

Thankful Bracelets

Kids string beads onto yarn or elastic, naming something they’re thankful for with each bead. Younger kids can use chunky beads; older kids might choose color patterns where each color stands for a category (family, nature, food, etc.). This is a wearable example of a Thanksgiving craft that doubles as a fidget-friendly tool.

Thanksgiving Story Stones

Collect smooth stones and have kids paint or draw simple Thanksgiving-related images: a turkey, a pumpkin, a plate of food, a heart, a house, a leaf. Once the stones are dry, use them to tell stories: each person picks a stone and adds a sentence. This supports storytelling skills and can be especially helpful for kids who are shy about speaking up.

Gratitude Coupons

Kids create “gratitude coupons” they can give to family or friends: “Good for one hug,” “I’ll help you set the table,” “Let’s read a book together.” This is a powerful example of a Thanksgiving craft that encourages acts of kindness, not just decorations.

Adapting these examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids for different ages and abilities

One of the best things about these examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids: 3 fun examples and the bonus ideas is how easy they are to adapt.

For toddlers and preschoolers:

• Focus on big movements: gluing large pieces, sticking on stickers, finger painting leaves.
• Let adults or older siblings handle cutting and writing.

For elementary-age kids:

• Invite them to write their own gratitude messages.
• Add simple math (counting leaves or beads) or reading practice (labeling items, reading each other’s leaves).

For tweens and teens:

• Let them lead: they can design the layout of a Thankful Tree, script a puppet show, or organize a craft station for younger kids.
• Encourage deeper reflection: “What’s something hard that you’re still grateful for?” or “Who helped you this year?”

If you’re working with kids who have sensory needs or fine-motor challenges, you can:

• Offer larger tools (big crayons, thick markers, chunky beads).
• Use stickers and pre-cut shapes instead of requiring cutting.
• Keep glue use minimal or use glue dots.

The CDC offers general guidance on child development and adapting activities for different ages and abilities, which can be helpful when planning crafts for mixed-age groups (cdc.gov).

Simple tips to keep Thanksgiving craft time low-stress

You don’t need to be crafty to pull off these examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids. A few mindset shifts can make the whole experience more enjoyable:

• Aim for connection, not perfection. The point is to talk, laugh, and create together—not produce museum-level art.
• Prep a little, then let go. Pre-cut shapes or gather supplies in advance, then let kids take the lead on colors and designs.
• Build in choice. Offer two or three options: “Do you want to make a turkey puppet or add leaves to the Thankful Tree?” Autonomy goes a long way.
• Save a sample. Each year, tuck one craft away. Over time, you’ll build a little archive of your family’s changing handwriting, drawings, and favorite things.

When you think about the best examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids: 3 fun examples really stand out when they balance creativity, meaning, and ease. The gratitude centerpiece, turkey puppets, and Thankful Tree hit that sweet spot—and the extra ideas give you backup plans for rainy days, family visits, or classroom projects.

FAQ: examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids

Q: What are some simple examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids if I only have paper and markers?
A: Great low-supply examples include a paper Thankful Tree on the wall, handprint turkeys, gratitude placemats, and paper-chain garlands where each link lists something kids are thankful for. These tie in nicely with the main examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids: 3 fun examples in this guide.

Q: What is an easy example of a Thanksgiving craft for a classroom?
A: A wall-sized Thankful Tree or a shared gratitude centerpiece is perfect. Each student adds at least one leaf or note. By the end of the week, you have a collaborative display that reflects the whole class.

Q: How can I make these examples of Thanksgiving crafts more meaningful for older kids?
A: Invite deeper reflection. Ask them to write about people who helped them this year, challenges they overcame, or things they used to take for granted. You can also pair the crafts with short writing prompts or gratitude journals.

Q: Are there examples of Thanksgiving crafts that don’t create a lot of clutter?
A: Yes. Gratitude placemats, coupons, and story stones are all useful items that can be reused. A Thankful Tree or gratitude pumpkin can be recycled or composted after the holiday, and bracelets or puppets can be stored in a small box.

Q: How often should we do gratitude crafts with kids?
A: There’s no single rule, but weaving gratitude into everyday routines—through crafts, conversation, or bedtime reflections—can help kids build a lasting habit. Even doing one or two of these examples of Thanksgiving crafts for kids each November can become a meaningful family tradition.