Fun and Festive DIY Thanksgiving Décor to Make with Your Little Ones!

Discover 16 fun DIY Thanksgiving décor crafts for kids, from gratitude garlands to playful turkeys, creating festive memories and family traditions!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to get crafty with your kids while creating décor that will add warmth and charm to your home! Crafting together not only keeps the little ones entertained but also gives you a chance to bond, slow down, and make meaningful memories. Here are some easy, DIY Thanksgiving décor projects that are kid-friendly, fun, and festive!

1. Gratitude Garland

Encourage your children to reflect on what they’re thankful for this year by making a “Gratitude Garland” as a family.

Supplies:

• Fall-colored construction paper (reds, oranges, yellows, browns)
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Twine or ribbon
• Markers
• Optional: glitter or stickers for decoration

Instructions:

1. Help your child trace leaf shapes on the construction paper, or use a stencil.
2. Cut out the leaves together, then have everyone write something they’re thankful for on each leaf.
3. Punch a hole at the top of each leaf and string them onto twine or ribbon, alternating colors.
4. Hang your garland above the mantel, on a wall, or in front of a window for a beautiful reminder of gratitude.

Parent Tip: This activity can turn into a daily ritual leading up to Thanksgiving, adding new leaves each day.

2. Mini Pinecone Turkey Placeholders

These adorable turkeys will make the Thanksgiving table extra special.

Supplies:

• Small pinecones
• Craft feathers (red, yellow, orange)
• Googly eyes
• Small pom-poms (for the nose)
• Glue

Instructions:

1. Glue feathers onto the back of the pinecone to form the turkey’s colorful tail.
2. Attach googly eyes and a small pom-pom to the front to create the face.
3. Write each guest’s name on a small card and place it near the turkey for a personalized touch.

Parent Tip: Collect pinecones and other fall foliage, such as leaves and acorns, on a family nature walk.

3. Handprint Turkey Table Runner

Turn your table into a work of art with a DIY table runner full of colorful turkeys.

Supplies:

• Brown craft paper or butcher paper (cut to the size of your table)
• Washable paint in fall colors
• Paintbrushes
• Markers

Instructions:

1. Lay out the brown paper as your canvas.
2. Paint your kids’ hands with a fall color of their choice, then press them onto the paper to make handprint “turkeys.”
3. Add eyes, beaks, and little legs with markers once the paint dries.

Parent Tip: Keep it simple for the little ones, and let the older kids add more details like leaves, acorns, or simple drawings.

4. Thanksgiving Mason Jar Candle Holders

Create a cozy ambiance with mason jar candle holders that are safe and fun for little ones to help decorate.

Supplies:

• Mason jars
• Fall-colored tissue paper (reds, yellows, oranges)
• Mod Podge or white school glue (thinned with a bit of water)
• Paintbrush
• Battery-operated tea lights

Instructions:

1. Tear the tissue paper into small pieces.
2. Brush glue or Mod Podge onto the mason jar, then layer the tissue paper pieces over the jar.
3. Seal the tissue paper with another layer of Mod Podge to secure it.
4. Once dry, add a battery-operated tea light and watch the colors glow!

Parent Tip: Supervise closely with the glue but let the kids be as creative as they want with layering the tissue paper.

5. Thankful Tree Centerpiece

A great way to focus on gratitude, this thankful tree is a beautiful centerpiece and a meaningful activity.

Supplies:

• Small tree branches (you can gather these on a nature walk with the kids)
• A small vase or pumpkin (you can hollow out a mini pumpkin for a festive touch)
• Fall-colored paper (cut into small “leaf” shapes)
• String or ribbon
• Markers

Instructions:

1. Place the branches in the pumpkin or vase to create a “tree.”
2. Have each family member write things they’re thankful for on the leaves.
3. Use string to attach the leaves to the branches, hanging them like ornaments.

Parent Tip: This can be a great project to revisit throughout the month as more ideas of gratitude pop up.

6. Corn Husk Wreath

This simple and rustic wreath will brighten up your front door and is fun for little hands to make.

Supplies:

• Corn husks (soak dried corn husks for easier flexibility)
• Hot glue gun (adults should handle this part)
• A wreath form or cardboard cut into a circle

Instructions:

1. Attach the corn husks to the wreath form, overlapping slightly.
2. You can add decorative items like mini pumpkins, berries, or ribbon if you like.
3. Hang it on your door for a festive, rustic welcome.

Parent Tip: If corn husks are too challenging for little ones, use paper leaves for a similar effect.

7. Paper Plate Pumpkin Pies

Add a “sweet” touch to your décor with these cute faux pumpkin pies made from paper plates.

Supplies:

• Small paper plates
• Orange paint
• Brown construction paper
• White cotton balls (for “whipped cream”)

Instructions:

1. Paint the center of the paper plates orange to resemble pumpkin pie.
2. Cut strips of brown paper to make a “crust” around the edge and glue it onto the plate.
3. Add a cotton ball in the center for a dollop of “whipped cream.”

Parent Tip: This is a fun pretend-play item too! Let your kids “serve” their pies at playtime tea parties.

8. Painted Rock Pumpkins

This one’s perfect if you love nature-inspired décor!

Supplies:

• Small, smooth rocks (gathered from outside or purchased from a craft store)
• Orange, green, and black paint
• Paintbrushes
• Clear sealant (optional)

Instructions:

1. Paint each rock orange to resemble a pumpkin.
2. Use green paint to add stems at the top, and add small details like faces or vines if you like.
3. Let them dry completely, and apply a clear sealant if desired to make them shine.
4. Arrange them in a bowl, on a mantel, or even on your dining table for a fun and unique decoration.

Parent Tip: You can add googly eyes for a quirky twist, or write simple words like “Thanks” and “Family” on the rocks for a more meaningful decoration.

9. Acorn Cap Wreath

Bring some woodland magic into your home with this beautiful acorn cap wreath.

Supplies:

• Acorn caps (collected outside or from a craft store)
• Small foam wreath form or cardboard circle
• Hot glue gun (for adults to use)
• Ribbon for hanging

Instructions:

1. Glue the acorn caps onto the wreath form, covering it completely.
2. Add a festive bow or ribbon at the top for hanging.
3. Let dry, and display on your door or as a wall decoration.

Parent Tip: If your kids want to add a little extra flair, they can paint the acorn caps in fall colors before attaching them to the wreath.

10. DIY Paper Corn Decorations

Create some "corn" decorations to celebrate the harvest season.

Supplies:

• Construction paper in yellow, orange, and brown
• Green tissue paper or construction paper
• Glue
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Cut yellow and orange construction paper into small squares or “kernels.”
2. Cut out an ear-of-corn shape from the brown paper.
3. Glue the kernels onto the corn shape in a fun mosaic pattern.
4. Add green tissue paper or construction paper at the top as the husk.

Parent Tip: These look adorable hanging on the fridge or taped to the windows.

11. Turkey Headbands

Your kids will love making and wearing these cute turkey headbands on Thanksgiving Day.

Supplies:

• Brown construction paper for the band
• Colored construction paper in red, yellow, and orange
• Googly eyes
• Glue or tape
• Scissors
• Stapler

Instructions:

1. Measure the brown construction paper around your child’s head to make a band and staple it to fit.
2. Cut out feathers from the colored construction paper and glue them to the back of the band.
3. Cut out a small beak and “wattle” (the red part of a turkey’s face) and glue them on the front along with the googly eyes.
4. Let the glue dry before wearing the headbands.

Parent Tip: Take lots of photos! These headbands make for adorable Thanksgiving family pictures.

12. Pumpkin Seed Art

Have leftover pumpkin seeds from carving pumpkins? Put them to good use with a fun art project.

Supplies:

• Clean and dry pumpkin seeds
• Paint and paintbrushes
• Glue
• Construction paper

Instructions:

1. Paint the pumpkin seeds in various fall colors (orange, red, yellow, brown).
2. Let them dry, then arrange them on construction paper in shapes like pumpkins, leaves, or even a turkey.
3. Glue the seeds down once your child is happy with their design.

Parent Tip: For a little sparkle, let your child sprinkle some glitter on the seeds while the paint is still wet.

13. Gratitude Jar

Teach your kids the power of gratitude with this simple and sweet craft.

Supplies:

• Mason jar or empty glass jar
• Small pieces of paper in fall colors
• Markers or crayons
• Ribbon and optional fall decorations for the jar

Instructions:

1. Let the kids decorate the jar with ribbons, stickers, or paint.
2. Each day leading up to Thanksgiving, write down something each family member is thankful for and place it in the jar.
3. On Thanksgiving Day, read all the notes together as a family.

Parent Tip: This craft makes a wonderful Thanksgiving tradition that you can continue each year.

14. Pumpkin Spice Playdough

Make this festive playdough together to keep little hands busy while you prepare Thanksgiving dinner.

Supplies:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Orange food coloring (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture forms a doughy consistency.
3. Let it cool, then knead until smooth. Add food coloring if you want it more pumpkin-like.
4. Store in an airtight container and use it as a fun sensory play activity!

Parent Tip: Kids love using cookie cutters to shape their playdough into pumpkins, leaves, or turkeys.

15. Thanksgiving Tablecloth

This tablecloth will be a keepsake you’ll want to use for years to come.

Supplies:

• Plain white or light-colored tablecloth
• Fabric markers in fall colors

Instructions:

1. Spread the tablecloth on a table and let each family member write what they’re thankful for with the fabric markers.
2. Younger kids can draw pictures of things they’re thankful for.
3. Use the tablecloth during your Thanksgiving meal, and add to it each year to create a special family tradition.

Parent Tip: You can add each year’s date next to everyone’s contributions to track how your family’s gratitude grows over time.

16. Popsicle Stick Scarecrows

These mini scarecrows are easy to make and can be used as place settings or simply as a fun décor piece.

Supplies:

• Popsicle sticks
• Glue
• Paint or markers
• Googly eyes
• Scraps of fabric or paper for a hat

Instructions:

1. Glue several popsicle sticks together to form the scarecrow’s face.
2. Paint or color the sticks, add googly eyes, and draw a smile.
3. Attach a small piece of fabric or paper at the top for the hat.
4. Add any other details, like a small scarf or buttons, if you like!

Parent Tip: These make adorable gifts for grandparents and other family members too!

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to create family traditions and make meaningful, handmade decorations together. These crafts will not only add a festive touch to your home but also allow your little ones to play an active role in getting ready for the holiday. Enjoy the time crafting together, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with laughter, love, and gratitude!