Simple Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

With Thanksgiving around the corner, you’ll have your hands full with guests and preparations and the last thing you want to hear is “Mom, I’m bored.” from the kids. Get your self prepped, your home trimmed, and the table set with grace by giving your kids projects of their own.

Giving kids a project to do, such as arts and crafts, gives them a sense of purpose and keeps them busy while you plan your feast. Plus using any of their crafts as part of the holiday décor will give them an extra sense of pride and ownership. Stock up on a variety of crafting supplies during the “Shop Early, Save Big”  CreateForLess Holiday Sale.Or visit our sister site Printables4Kids for even more Thanksgiving printables, coloring pages and word games.

Here are a few simple and fun Thanksgiving Crafts for the kids:

Buttoned Napkin Holders

These cute and creative napkin holders are inexpensive to make and kids ages 5 and up will have hours of fun making them. They are guaranteed to get oohs-and-aaahs from Grandma and the like while adding a nice touch to your Thanksgiving dinner table.

To make: Take a 4 by 5.5 inch piece of felt and glue 12 popsicle sticks on one side only. After you’re finished, you’ll end up with an uncovered margin.

Once the glue does dry, form a ring by gluing the overlapped/uncovered piece to itself. Then, take an assortment of buttons (available for pennies at any fabric store) and have kids glue the buttons onto the popsicle sticks.

If you’ve got younger children working on this project, then get all the materials prepped and ready to go. Cut out the felt rectangles and if needed, guide them through one ring to get them comfortable with the project.

Dream Catchers

Surprisingly, most people forget that Thanksgiving involved both the Pilgrims and the Indians. Most schools have kids do crafts centered around pilgrim themes for fall harvests; stores follow this trend by also focusing on a harvest décor.

Get your kids to be more conscientious. Have them get involved with the true meaning of Thanksgiving, its history, and how the Indians are a very important part of “America’s first feast”.

Teach them the appreciation of both cultures by having them make their own dream catchers that they can keep long after Thanksgiving is over.

To make: You’ll need the following items to get started on this great activity for ages 7 and up

* Netting bags, like the type that some fruits come in.
* Round plastic rims from leftover packaging – such as from margarine and ice cream tubs.
* Bright colored yarn
* Plastic darning needle
* Plastic beads
* Feathers

Once you have your supplies, cut out the center of the plastic lid so that you’re left with only the rim. Then place the netting bag over the plastic rim and pull tight so the mesh of the netting doesn’t move; then tie these ends together at the back so that it’s kept in place.

Next, thread the yard onto the darning needle, and thread through the hoop, going through both layers of mesh, continue until hoop is neatly covered. Then place a loop of yarn at the top to hang the dream catch, after which you untie the underneath and cut off the extra mesh. After, tie double strands of wool at each side and at the bottom. Finally, thread the beads, tying a knot to hold them in place and finishing off by gluing the feathers on.

Guide your kids through one to give them the hang of it, then have kids make one for themselves and one as a dinner gift for each guest.

Leafy Door Hanger

Extremely easy to make for kids 5 and up, leafy door hangers are great fall ornaments for your home. Hang them off the front door as an instant invite and as an alternative to wreathes. Kids will relish seeing their artwork in front of the house for everyone to see.

To make: Have kids cut out paper leaves and paint them with finger paints. Inspire them to get creative by mixing colors and straying from traditional leaf shades. For older children, have them draw and paint on the leaves, creating intricate designs and doodles.

Glue the completed leaves on a cord/string (a jewelry cord works well). Then tie 3-5 strings of leaves onto a sturdy stick that kids can find in their yard. A cord or yarn tied to each end of the stick can serve as a hanger.

In addition to giving you some free time, holiday arts and crafts help nurture children and develop a sense of belonging. And since fall brings colder weather and less daylight hours, kids need something to keep them occupied since this means less playtime outdoors.

With so much indoor time, try leaving an air purifier switched on, so that when they are indoors, they have as much clean air (if not more) than if they were outdoors. And with all your holiday cooking, having an extra room air cleaner in your home or kitchen to filter the food odors, especially if you expect to be frying. This ensures your family is not only having a happy holiday, but a healthy one too. A great air purifier to try is the BlueAir Air Cleaner, which is not only discreet but quiet and effective.

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