As the fall season settles in, it’s only natural to want to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in your home. With Halloween now behind us, it’s time to turn our attention to Thanksgiving preparations. While you’re busy planning your menu, why not also get creative with some fun and festive decorations? The rich colors of fall – think deep reds, burgundies, oranges, rusts, honey tones, and golds – provide a perfect backdrop for some inspiring DIY projects.
From crafting seasonal centerpieces to creating unique table settings, there are countless ways to make your Thanksgiving celebration truly special. And with 27 creative crafts at your disposal, you’ll be all set to plan not just your decor, but also some fun and memorable art sessions with family and friends.
Toilet Paper Roll Turkey
As the Thanksgiving feast winds down and your guests depart with full bellies and warm hearts, why not give them a small token of appreciation – a colorful paper roll turkey to cherish for years to come? These charming keepsakes are surprisingly easy to create using nothing more than craft paper, googly eyes, and empty toilet rolls. With the essentials you likely have on hand, you can get creative without breaking out the heavy artillery.
And if you need a little extra inspiration, we’ve got a free printable turkey template available for download. If you’re looking for more creative ways to repurpose toilet paper rolls, be sure to check out our DIY phone holder tutorial and explore our collection of toilet paper roll crafts – you won’t be disappointed!
Mitten Turkeys
As the fall season unfolds, two holidays stand out as particularly festive: Thanksgiving and Halloween. Pumpkins are synonymous with the latter, while turkeys are inextricably linked to the former. To celebrate these autumnal occasions, gather your yarn stash (or restock if necessary) and prepare for a creative afternoon. You can repurpose old mittens by using them as turkey bodies, reducing waste and fostering imagination among your little ones.
Additionally, send your kids on a pinecone-gathering adventure through your backyard, collecting a few to incorporate into your projects.
DIY Candle Holder With Beans
Get ready to create a unique and eco-friendly Thanksgiving candle holder with an unexpected twist – using beans! This craft project is perfect for kids and adds a touch of quirkiness to your holiday decor. With just a few simple materials like disposable paper cups, white glue, and soap, you can make this adorable centerpiece that will impress your family and friends. The best part? It’s easy to customize with your favorite beans to match your Thanksgiving table’s theme.
If you’re looking for more DIY inspiration, be sure to check out our leaf candle holder tutorial too!
Thankful Photo Tree
As many families do, we’re no strangers to the classic Thanksgiving tradition of sharing gratitude around the dinner table. While it’s wonderful to reflect on the good things in life, sometimes a visual reminder can be just as powerful. Enter the thankful tree – a creative and engaging way to add some flair to your holiday decor. Not only does it provide a unique space for displaying cherished memories, but it also serves as a beautiful focal point for your gathering.
To get started, gather a few simple supplies like a base container, clothespins, sticks, styrofoam, and moss. With these materials, you’ll be well on your way to creating a one-of-a-kind thankful tree that will become a beloved tradition in your household.
Paper Quilled Thanksgiving Turkey
Quilling is indeed an enjoyable hobby that allows individuals to tap into their creative side while fostering relaxation. The craft offers endless possibilities, making it an excellent activity for people of all ages. When it comes to involving children in quilling, there’s no better way than with a fun and engaging project like this quilled turkey design.
To create this delightful piece, you’ll need a few simple materials: quilling strips, white cardstock as the base, and some colored paper scraps for the beak and eyes. For added guidance, we’ve prepared a downloadable template to help you assemble the body of the turkey.
DIY Mini Fall Banners
Celebrating the festive atmosphere of Thanksgiving is incomplete without the charm of a vibrant fall banner! The autumnal colors of these banners are simply stunning, but what truly makes them special is the thoughtful wording that reminds us to appreciate all the blessings in our lives. This handmade project is an excellent way to get into the holiday spirit and reflect on the things we’re thankful for.
To create this beautiful banner, you’ll need some felt fabric, a pair of sturdy cloth scissors to cut out the desired shape, and some reliable tacky glue to hold everything together. With these simple materials, you can craft a unique piece that will be the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving celebration.
Turkey Wine Glass
Tin Can Pumpkins
The charm of DIY tin can pumpkins lies in their effortless ease of creation and adorable aesthetic. These rustic decorations are perfect for adding a pop of personality to your dresser, side table, or any other space you want to give a festive flair.
To get started, gather some empty tin cans that are ready to be recycled. Take each can and poke a small hole down the center. Then, unleash your creativity by painting them in varying shades of orange.
For an added touch of ruggedness, consider rubbing a bit of sandpaper over the surface to achieve a distressed look.
Origami Turkey
Origami crafts offer a delightful creative outlet that requires minimal setup – simply grab some origami paper and you’re ready to begin. However, this particular design falls under the intermediate category, making it less suitable for novice enthusiasts. Nevertheless, with practice, I’m confident you’ll be churning out an abundance of these charming turkeys in no time.
Their versatility also makes them an excellent addition to your Thanksgiving table’s decor, adding a touch of whimsy and warmth.
Pilgrim Hat
As the Thanksgiving season approaches, it’s an opportune time to delve into American history with your children. The story of the Pilgrims and the first-ever Thanksgiving is a timeless tale that can help shape their understanding of this iconic holiday. To make learning more engaging, consider crafting a Pilgrim hat together as a fun activity. All you’ll need are some basic supplies: a printed copy of the Pilgrim hat pattern, a pair of scissors, and a stapler.
You can even let your child get creative by choosing the colors for their very own Pilgrim headband! This simple project not only adds a personal touch to their costume but also serves as a valuable teaching moment.
Felt Acorn Napkin Rings
As the seasons change and Thanksgiving approaches, our attention turns to crafting the perfect table setting. This adorable fall felt napkin ring is just the thing to elevate your decor and bring a touch of warmth to your gathering. Its rustic charm is sure to delight guests and make the occasion feel all the more special. To create this delightful addition to your table setting, start by coiling a length of floral wire into a circular shape.
Then, wrap the felt acorns around the wire to form the ring. This simple yet effective technique yields a beautiful result that’s easy to replicate and adds a thoughtful touch to your place settings.
Dollar Store Pumpkin
Transform your home’s ambiance without breaking the bank this Thanksgiving season. Dollar stores are treasure troves of affordable decorations that can be easily upcycled with a little creativity. With just a few dollars, you can acquire all the necessary materials to give your space a festive makeover.
Take old dollar store pumpkins for example – with some coats of paint, clever distressing, antiquing, or buffing techniques, you can breathe new life into them and create one-of-a-kind masterpieces that will impress your guests. For more budget-friendly decorating ideas, explore these low-cost crafts and get ready to make this Thanksgiving season a memorable one!
Handprint Turkey Thankful Chart
Get your kids involved in creating a memorable Thanksgiving display by incorporating handprint turkey art into your thankful chart. To make it happen, simply download or create the template using your child’s handprints to draw and cut out the turkeys. Use a whiteboard as the base if you prefer. Once you have your template, grab some washable markers and start with a heading that captures the essence of the activity – ‘I am thankful for…’.
Let your kids’ creativity shine by adding their thoughts, wishes, and gratitude to the chart.
DIY Thanksgiving Place Settings
The star of the Thanksgiving show is undoubtedly the turkey, but it’s not the only element that deserves attention when planning the perfect table setting. A well-thought-out seating arrangement and carefully chosen place settings can elevate the entire dining experience. To add a touch of autumnal charm to your gathering, consider using DIY metallic maple leaves as unique place cards.
With their burnished copper finish, they’re sure to be a hit with your guests – and they make for lovely little mementos that they can take home after the feast is over.
Reversible Fall Wall Hanging
Elevate your fall decor with this reversible wall hanging project, which requires minimal crafting skills and is easily customizable. For those confident in their sewing abilities, this DIY will be a quick and satisfying undertaking. To get started, gather the following materials: a Cricut machine, vinyl, a wooden dowel, and contrasting fabric – perfect opportunity to repurpose your scrap fabric stash.
And if you’re looking for more creative ways to reuse scraps, check out our roundup of DIY scrap fabric projects!
Turkey Paper Headbands
Imagine the delight on your kids’ faces when they don adorable paper turkey headbands on Thanksgiving Day. These charming accessories are a perfect addition to any holiday play or simply a fun and easy craft project. To create them, you’ll need just a few simple supplies: colored cardstock, paper bags, double-sided tape dots, and of course, your trusty Cricut machine. And don’t forget the crowning glory – feathers! They’re the finishing touch that brings this turkey headband to life.
Faux Apple Centerpiece
Elevate your Thanksgiving table by opting for a stunning apple centerpiece instead of relying solely on your turkey. This elegant arrangement exudes simplicity and sophistication, subtly infused with Greek charm. The crisp white apples are beautifully juxtaposed against sprigs of eucalyptus, creating a harmonious visual balance. Feel free to choose a vase that complements the season’s festive atmosphere or opt for a more understated option.
For further inspiration, explore DIY dollar tree centerpieces and discover new ways to add a touch of warmth to your holiday gathering.
Felt Turkey Craft
Another DIY delight for you and your child is a simple yet engaging felt turkey craft project. This activity requires minimal materials, which you likely already have at home.
A crucial component of this craft is pipe cleaners, which will be twisted into the turkey’s feathers. If you don’t have fall-colored pipe cleaners on hand, feel free to pick some up.
For the eyes, beak and wattle – that distinctive red flap on the turkey’s chin – simply cut out small pieces of felt to serve as the necessary details.
Mason Jar Pumpkins
I’m a firm believer that mason jars are the ultimate DIY multi-taskers! With their versatility and charm, they’re perfect for countless creative projects. Take your mason jar game to the next level with this easy and delightful craft project.
To create these adorable mason jar pumpkins, you’ll need just a few simple materials: some paint of your choice (opting for chalked or matte finish will give it that signature rustic look), a wooden cork to serve as the stem, and some jute twine or ribbon for wrapping. You can even get creative by coiling a leaf tendril around the jar once you’re done.
Love this idea? Explore more mason jar craft inspiration in our related posts.
Upcycled Soup Can Craft
Transform old soup cans into a unique mantlepiece arrangement with just a few simple supplies. Start by thoroughly cleaning and drying each can, then get creative with paint, toothbrushes, and sandpaper. Paint the letters ‘Thankful’ on each can, and add a distressed finish by rubbing in some sandpaper for added texture. With these upcycled tin cans, you’ll be giving new life to discarded items and creating a one-of-a-kind decorative piece that’s sure to spark conversation.
And if you’re loving this craft, be sure to check out more inspiring ideas on upcycling tin cans!
Felt Turkey Craft
With this trifecta of felt turkey crafts, you’ll be well on your way to creating a festive display that’s sure to impress. Assuming you already have the necessary supplies, you can skip to the fun part – bringing your designs to life. If you’re running low on felt fabric, consider stocking up from your local craft store or online retailer. The versatility of these DIY crafts is one of their greatest strengths.
Not only can you display them individually, but you can also string them together to create a unique garland that’s perfect for hanging in a playroom, hallway, or even outdoor space. And if you’re looking for an added touch, consider using your felt turkeys as party favors – they make for a thoughtful and creative way to show appreciation for your guests.
Tea Towels
Imagine the impact a single customized tea towel can have on a room’s ambiance. Visualize it in your kitchen or bathroom – doesn’t it elevate the space to new heights? To create this unique piece, you’ll need a few basic supplies: cotton tea towels in white, iron-on black vinyl, a Cricut standard grip mat, and a weeding tool. Before diving into customization, take a crucial step by pre-washing, drying, and ironing your towel to remove any wrinkles.
Once it’s smooth, you can focus on crafting the perfect design, from wording to font – the possibilities are endless!
Cricut Thanksgiving Faux Pumpkin Craft
Imagine creating a pair of charming pumpkins to adorn your home this season. The one in the photo is already stealing hearts with its adorable bow, isn’t it? If you’re as captivated by this DIY project as we are, let’s get started! To craft these cuties at home, you’ll need a few essential supplies: your trusty Cricut machine, vinyl, transfer tape, and a set of basic crafting tools like a weeding tool, scrapper, and cutter. Additionally, grab some fall-hued ribbon to complete the look.
As for the pumpkins themselves, snag a couple from your local dollar store or Walmart. Feel free to pick out shapes and sizes that fit your home’s unique style perfectly!
DIY Pumpkin Vase
This adorable mini pumpkin vase is an effortless DIY project that can be used to display fresh flowers or serve as a unique bowl for storing small items like keys and coins. Its compact size makes it perfect for sitting on a desk or shelf, and you can even use it as a planter for a tiny plant or herb. To create your own mini pumpkin vase, simply start with a miniature pumpkin, a paring knife, and some fresh flowers if you choose to use it as a vase.
Keep in mind that being made from real pumpkins, they have a limited lifespan and will eventually need to be replaced. If you’re looking for more creative ideas like this, check out our collection of unique vases.
Painted Rocks
As I reflect on my childhood, rock painting was always a beloved activity. The joy it brought me is likely shared by kids today. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, why not plan an afternoon of creative expression with your little ones? Paint some festive rocks or pebbles and enjoy the experience together, perhaps accompanied by refreshing lemonade and warm cookies. For inspiration, take a look at these clever rock photo holders.
Toilet Paper Roll Turkey
I’ve developed a peculiar fondness for toilet paper roll crafts. There’s something charming about them that I just can’t explain. Among my favorites are these adorable toilet paper roll turkeys that are sure to bring a smile to your child’s face and add some excitement to their afternoon craft session. To get started, simply gather a few rolls of toilet paper, some colorful paper, and let the creativity flow.
And if you’re looking for more inspiration, don’t miss our equally delightful unicorn toilet roll craft!
Personalized Napkins
Rounding off our fall-themed table setting series, we’re adding a personal touch with customized napkins. The process is as easy as picking out stencils and paint, then simply dabbing them onto the cloth with a brush. To achieve a professional-looking finish, it’s essential to use high-quality linen napkins for this project.
