30 Fun Thanksgiving Crafts You'll Actually Enjoy Making
Kids of all ages will love them.
Thanksgiving is a time to gather family and friends and relish in the beauty of community. That's the whole idea, right? However, we've all seen it get a little tense while you're waiting "just another 10 minutes" for the turkey to finish cooking. Why not keep everybody busy with Thanksgiving crafts? Crafts are like board games: You might think they're silly at first, but you'll be surprised at how much people get into them. The best Thanksgiving crafts and decor are simple, seasonal, and take an hour max. Some are even perfect to make a few days before the holiday to add a handmade touch to your Thanksgiving tablescape. It's a great excuse for a crafty happy hour or Friendsgiving.
These Thanksgiving crafts are great for all ages. We picked ones that'll entertain adults and make an otherwise serious holiday fun and enjoyable for little ones. They're not too messy, either. We know you can't be watching the kids' table like a hawk and cooking or serving seconds at the same time. The ones we recommend below require minimal cleanup and are perfect for an older cousin or cool aunt to monitor.
We all love the handprint turkeys and paper plate pies from elementary school. Those simple Thanksgiving crafts are classics for a reason, and you don't really need us to tell you how to do them. We found craft ideas you maybe haven't seen before. Ahead, we're highlighting 30 of the best Thanksgiving crafts to try this year, from seasonal wreaths and door decor to personalized name cards and garlands.
Paper Pumpkins
Craft simple fall pumpkins out of cardstock. Write names on one of the leaves to use them as place cards and encourage your guests to write down what they're thankful for this year on the other.
Learn More DIY Inspired
Beaded Corn
These adorable corn cobs call for just two materials: beads and pipe cleaners. Twist them together, then display them on your table or around the house to add some seasonal flair.
Learn More One Little Project
Decoupage Leaf Bowl
Before you bag up all of those fallen leaves and leave them on the curb, save a handful or two ro make a gorgeous decoupage bowl.
Learn More To Simply Inspire
Turkey Oreos
Everyone knows that food is the star of Thanksgiving, so let your little ones get in on the culinary fun. These Oreo turkeys are easy to assemble and add fun to the dessert table.
Learn More Delish
Leaf Sprites
Craft a playful pal for each dinner guest—bonus points if each leaf sprite resembles them—and put it on their plate.
Learn More Handmade Charlotte
Autumn Wreath
A fall wreath is timeless. Craft one out of materials like grapevine, berries, and leaves. Put a Thanksgiving spin on it by attaching faux pumpkins, gourds, mini corn, and acorns.
BUY NOW Grapevine Wreaths, $17
Colored Leaves
Kids and adults alike will enjoy coloring inside the lines of leaves with markers. Carefully draw on real ones, or cut faux ones out of construction paper. After they're finished, you can display them (they'd make a cute garland) or use them for place settings.
BUY NOW Crayola Markers, $2
Tufted Coasters
Yarn tufting is pretty addictive—and it's a great crafting party activity. You might not want to stop after you make one of these cute coasters. We consider it a bonus that they're actually useful to protect your table and add a festive touch. Create your own design or use the fun patterns in this kit.
BUY NOW RISETailorStudio DIY Tufting Coaster Kit, $49
Handmade Cards
Show your appreciation for friends and family this season by creating and sending thank-you cards. Get crafty by painting leaves with animal faces, like this sweet fox. Glue it onto a brown piece of paper, and add twine for more detail. Write a sweet note, and you're all set!
BUY NOW Blank Brown Greeting Cards, $17
Felt Pumpkins
Complement the real pumpkins in your home with mini felt ones. Bear Creek Felting's kit comes with everything you need to create one—including detailed instructions by fiber artist Teresa Perleberg and photos of each step.
BUY NOW BearCreekFelting Pumpkin Needle Felting Kit, $21
Paper Tealight Holder
This activity does require a steady hand, but it's much easier than it looks. These intricate tealight holders are actually cut out of red and orange paper. Add flowers to elevate the look, and display them as part of a dinner table centerpiece. The digital download for this pattern on Etsy makes them so easy to pull off.
BUY NOW Chaiv Floral Tealight Holder Digital Download, $5
Cookie Decorating
Edible crafts make adorable (albeit temporary!) table decor. Icing buttery vanilla sugar cookies is a soothing and delicious holiday activity. You don't even have to bake these cookies—they come ready to go.
BUY NOW Williams Sonoma Thanksgiving DIY Cookie
Decorating Kit, $70
Oversize Terrarium Centerpieces
Want to give your Thanksgiving table an earthy vibe this year? Use one or two oversize terrariums as centerpieces. All you need to do is buy the glass bottles and fill them with your choice of sand and plants!
BUY NOW Sand, $25
Braided Yarn Napkin Rings
No sewing is required for these pretty pink napkin rings. We love the texture with the simple linen napkins. Tuck in a sprig of eucalyptus or any other greens you have lying around—like leftover thyme or rosemary from making dinner.
See how it's done at Flax & Twine.
BUY NOW Merino Wool Yarn, $23
Marigold Garland
For a Thanksgiving decoration that isn't too blatantly on-theme and doubles as a holiday crafting activity, string together a marigold garland.
Get the tutorial at Cheetah Is the New Black.
BUY NOW Artificial Marigold Flowers, $40
Thankful Banner
A thankful banner will really drive home the message of how grateful you are this season. Make geometric patterns out of felt and add pom-poms for a playful look.
Get the tutorial at Tell, Love, and Party.
BUY NOW Red Yarn, $10
Gold Dipped Leaf Place Cards
Simple white place cards with gold accents are nice, but these made using leaves will take your tablescape to the next level. You can get gold leaf at the craft store—just dip them in or brush it on.
Get the full details at Lark & Linen.
BUY NOW Gold Spray Paint, $9
Dried Floral Door Decor
Instead of a wreath, hang a gorgeous DIY bouquet as Cheetah Is the New Black did here. It's a fun Thanksgiving craft to do on your own as you prep your house for guests or with pals as a Friendsgiving party activity.
BUY NOW Peach Satin Ribbon, $10
Fall Paper Cut Lantern
Set the mood anywhere from your dining room to your entryway with paper lanterns. The leaf cutouts make these ideal for displaying all fall long.
Get the tutorial at Lia Griffith.
BUY NOW Construction Paper, $10
3-Tiered Wreath
Between the triple-tiered brass ring wreath and the eucalyptus garland, this mantle is ready for its close-up.
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Charm.
BUY NOW Darice Brass Ring, $8
Sienna is a senior editor at Hearst. She lives in California with her husband and two littles.
Kelly Allen is the current Associate Editor at House Beautiful, where she covers design, pop culture, and travel for digital and the print magazine. She’s been with the team for nearly three years, attending industry events and covering a range of topics. When she’s not watching every new TV show and movie, she’s browsing vintage home stores, admiring hotel interiors, and wandering around New York City. She previously worked for Delish and Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
Kate McGregor is House Beautiful’s SEO Editor. She has covered everything from curated decor round-ups and shopping guides, to glimpses into the home lives of inspiring creatives, for publications such as ELLE Decor, Domino, and Architectural Digest’s Clever.
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