Holidays & Entertaining Holidays Thanksgiving 20 Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids (and Adults) of All Ages Have your most productive Turkey Day yet. By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 13, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Getty Images Thanksgiving conjures images of turkey, mashed potatoes, and football, but for creative types, it’s also a great time to dive into crafts and DIYs. Whether you're dealing with antsy preschoolers, or you just want to get the whole family involved in creating some homemade table decor, Thanksgiving crafts are a great way to celebrate the day (and the weeks leading up to it). Some Thanksgiving crafts make great centerpieces, place card holders, and table runners, while others are less purposeful and more about the activity than the final product. No matter what kind of DIY you're looking for, our collection of easy crafts works for kids and adults alike. Our guides include supply lists and pictures, so you know exactly what the final product is supposed to look like. Use them as vehicles for your Thanksgiving quotes and Thanksgiving wishes, or simply add crafting to your household's list of Thanksgiving activities or games. No matter what, they'll serve as fun-to-make mementos of this year's celebration, small or large. 01 of 20 Potted Succulent Place Card Holder Emily Kinni What You'll Need: Small succulent in a terracotta potLiquitex Glossies paintWashi tapeConstruction paper or cardstockSkewersMagna-Tac GluePaintbrushScissors Directions: Paint the terracotta pot and let dry. Apply washi tape to the top part of the pot.Cut a small place card from the paper and write your guest's name on it. Trim the skewer and glue the name card to it, then stick inside the pot. Craft developed by Morgan Levine 02 of 20 Homemade Thanksgiving Menu Photo: Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Morgan Levine What You'll Need: CrayonsConstruction paperGlue (or a hot glue gun, with adult supervision)Seasonal embellishments such as wheat grass, pinecones, and berriesScissors Directions: Cut large shapes, such as circles or squares, from construction paper.Write the day's menu in the center of the paper with crayons.Use glue to paste seasonal embellishments around the edges. Try one kind on each menu, as seen here, or blend them together for a more colorful look. 03 of 20 Faux Bois Table Runner Emily Kinni What You'll Need: Metallic contact paperCanvasPaintWood graining toolMagna-Tac gluePaintbrushScissors Directions: Cut a strip of canvas and trim it to the desired width and length of the table runner.Apply the contact paper to the canvas with glue. Cover the contact paper in paint.Use the wood graining tool to make a faux bois design. Let dry. 04 of 20 Wood Coasters Emily Kinni What You'll Need: Wood slices Contact paper Liquitex Glossies paints Paintbrush Scissors Directions: Create a pumpkin stencil out of contact paper with scissors. Place it on the wood slice and fill it in with paint. Craft developed by Morgan Levine 05 of 20 Gold Pinecone Place Card Holder Emily Kinni What You'll Need: PineconeGold spray paintConstruction paper or cardstockScissors Directions: Spray paint the pinecone and let dry.Cut out a strip of paper, write your guest's name on it, and place on the pinecone. Craft developed by Morgan Levine 06 of 20 Branch Centerpiece Emily Kinni What You'll Need: VaseBranchConstruction paper or cardstockStringSmall hole punchScissors Directions: Cut leaf shapes from construction paper or cardstock. Punch holes in the leaves and attach a piece of string to each leaf.Place the branch in the vase. Tie the leaves onto the branch. Craft developed by Morgan Levine 07 of 20 Natural Table Runner Emily Kinni What You'll Need: Various-sized terra cotta potsSucculentsPineconesFake leavesGold spray paint Directions: Spray paint the terra cotta pots and let dry.Place the succulents with soil into the pots.Arrange the potted succulents along the middle of table with the pinecones and fake leaves. 08 of 20 Mayflower Crayon Holder Emily Kinni What You'll Need: Piece of beige cardstock (or whichever color you want the boat to be)Sheet of white printer paperSheet of colored construction paper (for the flags)Small piece of foam core2 wooden skewersCraft knifeMagna-Tac GlueTapeScissors Directions: Cut out two crescent-like shapes from the cardstock for the sides of the boat. Then, trim the outside curve of each crescent so it has a straight edge (this edge will sit on the table). Write "Mayflower" on each crescent for the boat's name.Trace a football shape (oval, with pointed ends) on the foam core and cut out with a craft knife. This will act as the base of the boat.Glue the cardstock crescent's straight edge along the length of one side of the oval foam core base. Repeat this step with the second piece of cardstock on the opposite side of the base. Secure the front and back parts of the boat with tape.Draw and cut out one big and one small hourglass shape from the white printer paper for the "sails." Create two slits at the top and bottom of the cutouts and slide each one onto a skewer.Create a little "flag" from the construction paper and glue to the top of one of the skewers.Trim the skewers if needed. Place them on opposite sides of the boat by piercing the pointed end of each skewer into the foam core. Secure with glue if needed. Craft developed by Morgan Levine 09 of 20 Mini Gourd Place Card Holder Emily Kinni What You'll Need: Small dried gourdsPermanent marker Directions: Write your guest's name on the dried gourd with the permanent marker. Craft developed by Morgan Levine 10 of 20 Leaves Table Runner Emily Kinni What You'll Need: Colorful canvas fabric or feltMagna-Tac glueScissors Directions: Cut out leaf shapes from the fabric (or you can buy pre-made shapes).Layer them together in one long strip with glue. 11 of 20 Pipe Cleaner Turkey Place Card Holder Emily Kinni What You'll Need: Brown pom pom7 pipe cleaners in autumnal colors (like brown, red, orange, or beige)Small pinecone2 small googly eyesPiece of yellow feltPiece of construction paperMagna-Tac GlueScissors Directions: Fold six pipe cleaners in half and create two loops on each end. Wrap the middle parts of all of the pipe cleaners together and arrange in a fan-like shape to create feathers. Once you have your desired shape, glue the combined piece to the bottom of the pinecone.Glue the pom pom to the top of the pinecone. Cut a small triangle out of the yellow felt for the beak. Add the googly eyes and the beak to the pom pom with glue.Cut the remaining pipe cleaner in half and use one of the pieces to create feet. Glue to the bottom of the pinecone.Cut out a small flag from the construction paper and write the guest's name on it. Glue to the pipe cleaners. Craft developed by Morgan Levine 12 of 20 Turkey Place Card Photo: Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Morgan Levine What You'll Need: Printable template Crayons Scissors Directions: Print one copy of the template for each crafter.Cut out the template and decorate with crayons. Write each person's name in the center and arrange around the table. 13 of 20 Pom Pom Trim Table Runner Emily Kinni What You'll Need: Strip of burlap, linen, or canvasPom fringe trimMagna-Tac glue Directions: Cut a strip of burlap, linen, or canvas fabric to the desired length of the table runner.Attach the pom pom fringe to the edges of the fabric with Magna Tac. 14 of 20 Acorn Face Napkin Ring Emily Kinni What You'll Need: AcornsFaux suede leather cord (cut into 9-inch strips)Paint pensPermanent marker Directions: Draw faces on the acorn using the paint pens and permanent marker.Tie each end of the cord around the stem of one acorn. Craft developed by Morgan Levine 15 of 20 Wheat Place Card Holder Emily Kinni What You'll Need: Stalks of wheatTwineConstruction paper or cardstockHole punchScissors Directions: Cut out a circle from the paper, punch a hole at the top, and write your guest's name on it.Gather three pieces of wheat and wrap together with twine. Then tie the place card to the wheat. Craft developed by Morgan Levine 16 of 20 Leaf-Shaped Crayons Photo: Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Morgan Levine What You'll Need: As many broken crayons as you can findFestive-shaped silicone trays (such as leaves or pumpkins)Kraft paper Directions: Place broken crayon bits in trays. Sort by color, or combine shades for a more vibrant final product.Bake in the oven until the crayons have melted. Remove and allow to cool completely.Cover a table or other surface with kraft paper. Once the crayons are cool, remove from trays and distribute to everyone to use to decorate the paper. 17 of 20 Acorn Wreath Place Card Holder Emily Kinni What You'll Need: Acorns (for one wreath, you'll need about eight)Construction paper or cardstockE6000 Craft AdhesiveScissors Directions: Glue acorns together in a wreath shape, with the tops facing outside.Cut out a strip of paper, write your guest's name on it, and glue to the wreath. Craft developed by Morgan Levine 18 of 20 Cutlery Envelope Emily Kinni What You'll Need: Printer paper (you could use heavier paper or cardstock, depending on your printer's capabilities) Envelope template Washi tape Scissors Directions: Download the template and print out on cardstock or paper. Fold the paper to create the envelope.Secure and decorate with washi tape. Craft developed by Morgan Levine 19 of 20 Butcher Paper Table Runner Emily Kinni What You'll Need: Roll of butcher paperLeaves (they can be real or fake)Gold spray paintScissors Directions: Cut a strip of butcher paper so it fits the length of your table. You might have to trim it to the desired width (depending on whether you want a wide or thick table runner).Place leaves all over the butcher paper and spray gold paint all over it.Once dry, remove the leaves to reveal the leaf silhouettes. 20 of 20 Turkey Cups Emily Kinni What You'll Need: Cupcake linersConstruction paper (in different colors for the head, eyes, and beak)Double-stick tapeMagna-Tac GlueScissors Directions: Trim the sides of the cupcake liners to create oval and hourglass shapes. Tape them onto the glass in a fan shape. Optional: Secure with glue.Cut out a circle from the construction paper for the head. Create eyes and a beak from the paper and glue to the circle. Attach the head to the cup with tape or glue. Craft developed by Morgan Levine 24 Delicious Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit