These beautiful & easy ideas are the perfect kids crafts for the Thanksgiving table!
When I think back to holidays past, my favorite things for kids to do on Thanksgiving Day was helping to get the table ready for the meal!
I always felt so grown up when my Mom would give us ‘special jobs’ so we could help with the holiday prep. My sister and I were asked to put together the cookie tray, decorate the centerpiece and (if we were lucky) set out the china and fancy glasses. Not only were we helping but we were also learning how to host a big dinner (a skill that’s come in quite handy over the years 😉
So this year, we’ve got some great ideas on how the kids can help you to get the table ready while you focus on the food!
14 Kid-friendly Crafts for the Thanksgiving Table
Whether you’re planning a formal meal or setting up a kids’ table, these ideas will inspire your kids to add a special touch to the table — and will also keep them busy so you can focus in the kitchen!
We’ve included some of the cutest & easiest ideas ever!
Because who has time to do complicated, right?? 🙂
You’ll find links to our favorite crafts, activities and affilite links to items we love having at our Thanksgiving table.
Thanksgiving Crafts with Nature Items
Ask your kids to collect pineconee, acorns & other nature items to make a Nature-filled Basket for the centerpiece | Edventures with Kids
Collect natural items to create a beautiful Fall Nature Banner | Your Vibrant Family
Turn a mini-pumpkin into a Turkey decoration | The Chaos & the Clutter
Use leaves & acorns to make a Happy Thanksgiving welcome sign | Play & Learn Everyday
Make this adorable Turkey Colored Pencil Holder with birch wood | Pottery Barn Kids
Kid-Made Thanksgiving Table Decor
I adore this idea of a Handprint Turkey Table runner that you can use year after year! | Spoonful of Imagination
Turn items from nature into Handmade Turkey Puzzle using acorns & stones | Edventures with Kids
Have the kids make Beaded Napkin Rings for each guest | Buggy & Buddy
Make these beautiful Turkey Leaf Lanterns to light up your table | Rhythms of Play
Dress Up Your Thanksgiving Table
If the kids haven’t set a formal table, let them take a peek at these step-by-step directions at Education Possible.
Let the kids fold some awesome napkins to adorn the table! Choose from 27 fun napkin folding designs (the Bishop’s Hat and fan folds are favorites!)
And a kid-favorite activity — creating place cards for each guest!
Younger kids can make handprint turkeys that they turn into name plates for each person at dinner.
These forest-themed & cinnamon-scented Tree Placecards are a wonderful sensory craft for kids to make.
I’m also in love with these adorable Mayflower Name Cards from Dandee Designs (I think I would fill ours with nuts or other pre-dinner snacks 😉
Activities that Encourage Family Discussions
Kids can get shy with all the family around the table. Add a few of these activities to inspire multi-generational conversation:
Try this Thanksgiving Gratitude Scavenger Hunt that uses pictures from your smart phone — perfect way to share memories with family members!
Print off these free Table Topic ideas to kick-start some fun family discussions | Growing Book by Book
Enjoy some fun paper games with these 27 Free Printable Thanksgiving Games
Color together with this Turkey Coloring Jar & Coloring pages for Kids & Adults
And we always love to have some Thanksgiving-themed Mad libs — lots of laughs with these!
And remember, it is a holiday so an extra piece of pie is well deserved!
Happy Thanksgiving!
~ Jacquie
More Holiday Activities:
25 Ways to Slow Down & Enjoy the Holidays
30 Service Projects & RAKs for Families to do Together
100 Ideas for Your Advent Countdown
20 Great Stocking Stuffers for Kids
