3 Thanksgiving Crafts for Children

Corn Painting

We eat so many delicious foods on Thanksgiving and one that children seem to love is corn – especially when it’s still on the cob! It’s not just tasty, but also fun to eat. Corn on the cob has a great texture so it’s perfect for a sensory experience as well. Here is how to use your ear of corn for more than just a super side dish!

Items Needs:

• 1 ear of corn (uncooked)
• Washable Paint (any colors you like, but I like to stick with Fall colors like orange, yellow, and red)
• Paper plate (or something to put the paint in that will also fit the ear of corn)
• White paper

Steps:

1. Pour the paint out onto the paper plate.
2. Roll the ear of corn through the paint so that it’s covered on all sides.
3. Roll the painted ear of corn across the paper to make fun designs!
4. Rinse and dry corn between colors if desired. Or mix colors and talk about the changes you see.

Thankfulness Wreath

Thanksgiving is a time to think about and discuss all of the wonderful things that we are thankful for. It’s a great time to teach children about kindness and being appreciative for all that they have. Add this to your list of Thanksgiving crafts for children this holiday season.

Items Needed:

• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Markers
• Glue
• Paper plate
• Glitter (if you dare!)

Steps:

1. Cut the center of the paper plate out so that you have an open ring (like a donut!).
2. Trace your child’s hand and cut out the number of handprints needed to go all the way around the exterior of your paper plate. Encourage children to do any parts of this themselves that are age appropriate!
3. Decorate the handprints as desired with markets, paint, glitter and more.
4. Ask your child to name things that they are thankful for and write one on each handprint. Depending on the age of the child, they can write it themselves or you can help.
5. Glue the finished handprints onto the paper plate to create your wreath!

Sponge Paint Turkey

Turkeys are the focal point of the Thanksgiving holiday! Help your child to make their very own holiday turkey!

Items Needed:

• Paper plate
• Red, yellow, & orange paint
• Sponges
• Brown, orange & red construction paper Glue
• 2 googly eyes

Steps:

1. Use the sponges to decorate the paper plate by dipping them in the paint, then applying them to the plate to make colorful splotches.
2. Cut a circle (for the head) out of brown paper, triangle (for the beak) out of orange paper, and tear drop shape (for the wattle) out of red paper. For older children ask them to draw the shape or cut out the shape you drew.
3. Work on positional words and ask your child to glue the brown circle to the top of the plate.
4. Then ask your child to glue the triangle in the middle of the circle. If they don’t know what that means talk about middle and show them an example somewhere in the room.
5. Get a picture of a turkey to show them what a wattle is and where it is on a turkey’s face. Then allow them to glue it on their turkey.
6. Lastly, ask your child where their eyes are. For younger children, announce that they’re above our nose. Point out the triangle nose on the turkey and then let them glue the googly eyes on where they see fit.