Thanksgiving with kids usually goes one of two ways: they either sit there staring at the turkey like it owes them money, or they get restless five minutes into dinner prep.
That’s where Thanksgiving crafts come in clutch. Crafts keep them busy, make them feel involved, and honestly—they create some of the cutest keepsakes you’ll ever hoard in a memory box.
I’ve rounded up 10 fun kids’ Thanksgiving craft printables and ideas (yes, with handy products to make your life easier).
Whether you’re wrangling toddlers, big kids, or your “too cool” middle-schooler, these projects are fun, cheap, and—dare I say—Pinterest-worthy. Ready? Let’s go!
1. Printable Thanksgiving Coloring Pages 🎨
Kids love coloring. You love quiet. It’s a win-win.
- Grab a Thanksgiving coloring book like the Thanksgiving Coloring Book for Kids – it’s packed with turkeys, pumpkins, and pies.
- Print a few free coloring sheets from Pinterest if you’re on a budget.
- Toss in a set of Crayola Washable Crayons (because walls are not canvases, kids).
Pro tip: Laminate the pages after they color them and use them as Thanksgiving placemats. Instant personalized table décor.
2. Handprint Turkey Craft 🦃
You knew this one was coming. The classic handprint turkey never goes out of style.
- Print a simple turkey template (or just trace their hand).
- Stock up on construction paper and washable markers.
- Add some googly eyes because nothing screams “craft success” like a turkey staring at you from the fridge.
Why it works: Kids love seeing their little hands transform into something. Parents love having proof of how tiny those hands once were.
3. Gratitude Tree Printable 🌳
This one hits different—it’s equal parts craft and life lesson.
- Print a gratitude tree template where kids can write or draw what they’re thankful for.
- Use colorful sticky notes shaped like leaves (Amazon has tons).
- Let kids tape their “thankful leaves” onto the tree throughout the week.
Bonus: Frame it and bring it out every Thanksgiving. It’ll be adorable to see how their “thankfulness” shifts from “mommy and daddy” to “WiFi and Roblox.”
Check Pricing on Amazon
4. DIY Thanksgiving Crowns 👑
Forget paper hats—make them royalty of the turkey kingdom.
- Print a Thanksgiving crown template (turkeys, pilgrim hats, pumpkins).
- Supply markers, stickers, and foam craft jewels.
- Use a stapler or tape to size them for each kid’s head.
Pro tip: Have the kids wear their crowns during dinner. It makes for great photos and distracts them from asking, “When’s dessert?”
5. Thanksgiving Bingo (Printable Game) 🎲
Craft + game = jackpot.
- Download a Thanksgiving Bingo printable set from Etsy or Amazon.
- Use candy corn or mini marshmallows as markers (just accept that some will be eaten mid-game).
- Set small prizes like Thanksgiving stickers or even extra pie slices.
Why it works: It’s fun, interactive, and keeps everyone entertained while waiting for food.
6. Paper Plate Turkeys 🍽️🦃
If you’ve got paper plates, you’ve got craft supplies.
- Print a turkey face template for kids to glue on.
- Use feathers, construction paper, and googly eyes.
- Add popsicle sticks to turn them into little puppets.
Reality check: They’ll look more like “mutant birds” than Pinterest turkeys, but hey—it’s the effort that counts.
7. Thankful Placemats (Printable) 🍴
Set the table with kid-made décor.
- Print a placemat worksheet that says “I’m Thankful For…” with blank spaces.
- Hand out crayons, markers, and stamps.
- Laminate them if you want to reuse them every year.
Pro tip: These make great conversation starters during dinner. Plus, kids love seeing their art used in a “real” way.
8. Pilgrim and Turkey Puppets 🎭
Bring storytime to life.
- Print puppet templates (pilgrims, turkeys, pumpkins).
- Attach them to popsicle sticks.
- Let the kids put on a mini Thanksgiving play while you sip that much-needed wine.
Product picks: Grab a bulk popsicle stick pack and a craft glue set—trust me, you’ll use them beyond Thanksgiving.
9. Printable Thanksgiving Maze & Activity Sheets 🧩
Sometimes, kids just want puzzles.
- Download a set of Thanksgiving mazes, word searches, and connect-the-dots.
- Print them as an activity packet.
- Hand out gel pens or colored pencils (kids love feeling fancy).
FYI: These are lifesavers during travel if you’re driving to Grandma’s. No WiFi? No problem.
10. Thankful Turkey Jar 🫙🦃
This one’s half craft, half family tradition.
- Print turkey feathers that say “I’m Thankful For…”
- Have kids write (or draw) something daily in November.
- Stick the feathers onto a mason jar decorated like a turkey (use felt or paper).
Why it’s awesome: By Thanksgiving, you’ll have a jar stuffed with gratitude feathers. It’s cute, meaningful, and doubles as table décor.
Wrapping It Up (Pun Intended 🎁)
So there you go—10 fun and easy kids’ Thanksgiving craft printables and ideas that keep little hands busy and big hearts full.
From classic handprint turkeys to thankful jars that double as décor, these crafts aren’t just about glue and paper—they’re about making memories.
And let’s be real: the crafts may look more “abstract modern art” than Martha Stewart chic, but that’s part of the charm. 🙂
My advice? Stock up on printable templates, grab the basic craft supplies, and let the chaos (I mean, creativity) begin.
Thanksgiving is about family, gratitude, and yes—keeping the kids entertained long enough for you to actually enjoy a slice of pie in peace.