3 Kid-Friendly Crafts for a ‘Gourd-eous’ Thanksgiving Home

Your favorite feasting holiday is just around the corner, and for many families, that means it’s time to break out the craft supplies! Whether you’re searching for a simple way to unwind, or an easy way to save money, these quick and simple Thanksgiving crafts are sure to fit the bill. These crafts should take less than 30 minutes to create, don’t require any special tools or skills, and are the perfect activity for beginning crafters to experienced makers—plus, they’ll make great memories for years to come. Read on and enjoy!

Thanksgiving Craft Idea #1: ‘I Love You’ Fall Garland

This kid-friendly craft can “hang” around all season long—it’s subtle, cute, and a great reminder of why each member of your family is important. Additionally, it’s easy to customize it with different shades of paper or styles or ribbon, fasteners, etc. If you’d like to learn how to make one of these garlands for your home, download instructions here, or follow the steps below.

Est. Time to Complete: 15-30 minutes

Supplies Needed:

• Orange paper
• Green paper
• Pen
• Scissors (with adult supervision)
• Hole punch (with adult supervision)
• Brass fasteners
• Glue
• Ribbon of choice
• Stapler (with adult supervision)

Instructions:

1. Grab an orange piece of paper and a pen and have everyone write one reason why they love each of their family members. Once everyone is done, have each person read their paper out loud.
2. Cut out the paper strips and put them into piles—one for all of the reasons people love dad, 1 for all of the reasons people love mom, etc.
3. Punch a hole at the top and bottom of each pile of strips.
4. Put a brass fastener in both of the holes to secure each pile.
5. Fan the strips outward so they form a sphere-like shape.
6. Cut and fold a green strip of paper to create a stem.
7. Secure the green paper to the top of your pumpkin with glue and let it dry.
8. Once dry, staple each pumpkin stem onto a ribbon.
9. Hang your ribbon—you’re done!

Thanksgiving Craft Idea #2: Toilet Paper Tube Turkey

If you’ve been saving your toilet paper tubes for a rainy day, you’re not alone—keep your kids entertained and encourage them to be creative with this super simple craft. It’s the perfect kid-friendly decor for the kid’s table, or to show off on the mantle. If you’d like to learn how to make a tube turkey for your home, download instructions here, or follow the steps below.

Est. Time to Complete: 10-15 minutes

Supplies Needed:

• Toilet paper roll cut in half (turkey’s body)
• Brown card stock cut into a 1-inch hole (turkey’s head)
• 2 googly eyes
• Orange card stock (triangle beak)
• Red card stock (oval-looking gobble)
• 5 differently colors or patterns of paper cut into feathers
• Non-toxic glue (with adult supervision)
• Scissors (with adult supervision)

Instructions:

1. Create the turkey’s face with the round brown paper, googly eyes, beak, and gobble
2. Cut the scrap paper into feathers approximately 1 half-inch wide and 3 inches long
3. Secure the feathers to the back of the toilet paper tube with glue
4. Secure the head to the front of the toilet paper tube with glue
5. You’re done!

Thanksgiving Craft Idea #3: Turkey-Themed Dinner Glasses

This one is a classic—not only are these fun to drink out of, but they’re an easy way to remind kids of the things they have to be thankful for! Have them write down the things they’re for on the turkey tail’s feathers, or have them place notes of thanks inside the cup on the days leading up to Turkey Day. If you’d like to learn how to make these cups for your home, download instructions here, or follow the steps below.

Est. Time to Complete: 15-30 minutes

Supplies Needed:

• Orange paper
• Yellow paper
• Brown paper
• Red paper
• Disposable cups
• Googly eyes (optional)
• Scissors/pattern scissors (with adult supervision)
• Glue (with adult supervision)

Instructions:

1. Using orange paper, cut out a circle that’s about 2 inches in diameter.
2. Using yellow paper, cut out a second circle that’s slightly smaller than the first.
3. Glue the second circle on top of the first circle; make sure it is centered.
4. Using brown paper, cut out two small circles for the eyes; glue the eyes in their appropriate positions on top of the two larger circles.
5. Using orange paper, cut out a triangle for the nose; place the triangle upside down just beneath the eyes.
6. Using red paper, cut out a small, thin oval for the gobble; glue the gobble next to the turkey’s nose.
7. Your face is complete; glue it anywhere on the upper-half side of the disposable cup.
8. Cut out at least 6 feathers approximately 1-half-inch wide and 3 inches long.
9. Secure the feathers to the back of the cup with glue
10. You’re done!

No matter what you’re celebrating, there’s nothing quite like decorating your home for the holidays. Follow our blog for additional tips, or if you’re ready to take the next step in your homebuying journey, reach out to your neighborhood Mortgage Advisor today.