15 Easy Thanksgiving Crafts and DIY Projects for Toddlers

If you are looking for easy Thanksgiving crafts and DIY projects for your busy toddler then you are in the right place. I’ve compiled some beautiful and engaging art projects that use basic supplies you will likely find around your home! As a Montessori mama, I try to offer engaging and sensory-rich experiences that also can help the entire family enter the holiday season. These fun Thanksgiving activities will do just that!

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Corn Painting

Painting with different tools like Q-tips and the tops of leggos creates texture in the painting and changes up the typical painting expereince. Use this free printable template to make a corn painting! Non-toxic washable Tempera paint is ideal for toddlers and ensures you won’t have too much of a mess on your hands. I have loved using these bibs that double as a long-sleeve painting smock for my young toddlers.

Free Corn PriNtable

A painting set up with a picture of an ear of corn.

Corn Shaker

Finding Thanksgiving toddler crafts that are easy and not messy at all can be a challenge. That is why I decided to make this build-your-own corn shaker activity! This fun Thanksgiving craft can be fun for kids of all ages. I found small plastic jars from the dollar store. Then I filled a small pitcher with dried popcorn kernels. I offered a funnel to help fill the jar. Your toddler can pour the corn into the bottle or jar. You can offer seasonal stickers to decorate the jar. You could also add some ribbon and twine around the neck of the bottle or jar for an extra touch of color and texture!

a tray set up with a small plastic bottle, a small metal pitcher and a funnel.

a small plastic bottle with pop corn kernels and a ribbon tied to the top.

Thankful Chain

Once your toddler starts talking, they will love to tell you everything they are thankful for! An easy way to channel those conversations is to work to create and build a thankful chain together. Cut construction paper into 1-2 inch thick strips. Ask your toddler something they are thankful for, and write what they say on the paper chain. Using a glue stick or a stapler, make your thankful chain and hang it somewhere in your house. This craft can make great seasonal decor during this time of year.

Feather or Leaf Posting and Pull Activity

Fine motor activities are so important for toddlers. A simple DIY project is to set up a feather posting and pull activity. To do this, you can use a strainer or a box with holes poked into it. Using craft feathers or faux leaves your toddler can post them into the holes and pull them back out. This gives a great opportunity for those little hands to develop their pincer grasp by holding the feathers while they post them into the holes. If you don’t have feathers, you could use pipe cleaners or faux leaves work as well. All of these will have a similar effect.

A strainer with fake leaves poked in the hole and a small basket of more fake leaves.

Potato Stamping Place Mat

Just like the corn painting above, we can offer variety to a simple craft by changing the materials we use. Typically we think of using a paintbrush to paint. During this time of the year we eat and see a lot more potatoes, so why not paint with them! Potato stamping placemats are the perfect Thanksgiving craft that your child will enjoy doing. They will add a lovely touch of color and creativity to your table settings during the Thanksgiving season.

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Broccoli Fall Tree Stamping

Thanksgiving toddler crafts like this one from The Soccer Mom Blog are so beautiful you could frame them! I love the use of different materials like broccoli to use to stamp and get a unique texture to the craft. I love to use my children’s artwork as artwork in my home and I plan to do just that with this simple but cute fall broccoli stamped tree!

Find the craft at The Soccer Mom Blog!

a tree being painted with broccoli stamping.

Corn Craft

Your toddler will have a great time making this corn craft from Little Ladoo. All you need is some glue, popcorn kernels, and the free printable, find it here. What I love about this fun fall craft is that it supports fine motor skills by picking up each kernel. Not to mention the hand strength from squeezing a glue bottle.

Find this craft at Little Ladoo!

Turkey Toddler Craft that is Quick and Cute

This truly is exactly as the name says, a cute turkey toddler craft that is quick and cute! This cute craft is from Crayons and Spice is a perfect addition to these easy Thanksgiving craft ideas I have for you. To do this craft, you need a paper plate, fake leaves (although I’m sure you could do it with real leaves) as well as glue, googly eyes, and some foam sheets.

Find this craft at Crayons and Spice!

A thanksgiving craft of a paper plate turkey craft.

Fork Painted Turkey Craft

This bright and simple fork-painted turkey from Little Ladoo is the perfect way to add color, texture, and fun to your fall season! It comes with a free template. Check out her post for step-by-step instructions on this paper plate turkey craft!

Find this craft at Little Ladoo!

A paper plate turkey with a fork painting design for the feathers.

Free Thanksgiving “I Am Thankful For” Printable

Thanksgiving time is when we can all reflect on what we are thankful for. We can even help our toddlers become aware of the blessings around them. These Thanksgiving “I am Thankful For” printables from Fox Farm Home would make a great addition to the kid’s table at your Thanksgiving feast. She offers questions for you to ask your child to get them thinking about things they are grateful for. This activity gets to the meaning behind Thanksgiving in a fun and creative way.

Find this craft at Fox Farm Home!

A thankgiving craft of a coloring sheet with a turkey and text that says "I am thankful for..."

Paper Plate Turkey

This easy Thanksgiving turkey toddler craft comes from Daydream into Reality. She offers this fun craft that has everything you need! You only need a paper plate, glue, some paint, and scissors. She offers a beautiful free printable template with all the features to make this simple turkey craft a breeze!

Get everything you need for this craft at Daydream into Reality!

Thanksgiving Coloring Pages

What child doesn’t enjoy coloring? Even though a toddler will likely not color within the lines, they will still likely enjoy these beautiful Thanksgiving coloring pages from coloringmaker.com. Print off these free Thanksgiving printables for your little one! We love using these beeswax crayons for our fall crafts!

Find these coloring pages at Coloring Maker!

Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree

Do we pause enough to ask our children what they think? This activity is a great way to slow down, connect with your toddler, and get a glimpse into their mind. Ask them what they are grateful for and then make this simple but beautiful Thanksgiving gratitude tree from Crayons and Spice. I see this becoming a centerpiece at the Thanksgiving dinner table or even extending it to other members of the family to make it a Thanksgiving activity for all who gather together.

Find this craft at Crayons and Spice!

A small branch from a tree with small paper leaves with pictures on them hanging from the branch.

Turkey Squishy Bag

This turkey squishy bag from Life Over C’s looks like an easy-to-set-up and engaging Thanksgiving activity. Squishing anything in a bag of hair gel sounds like so much fun, but especially for toddlers.

Find this craft at Life Over C’s!

Turkey Handprint

This fun turkey handprint craft from The Mindful Toddler is a classic Thanksgiving craft idea but creates a cute little turkey that you could use even frame for some seasonal artwork.

Find this craft at The Mindful Toddler!

Looking for more Thanksgiving Ideas?

If you liked these Thanksgiving toddler crafts then be sure to check out one of these other blog posts for more inspiration on ways to bring meaningful activity into your home for your child!