Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to be with family and to be thankful for all that is working in our lives. Whether you have a group of toddlers to entertain on Thanksgiving day or if you’re just looking for some ideas for your own toddler, these easy Thanksgiving crafts for toddlers are a fun way to get your kids engaged in this holiday.
Turkey Hand
This is a simple time-honored Thanksgiving craft that is perfect for toddlers. On a piece of brown construction paper, have the toddler trace his/her hand with a pencil. An adult should cut out the hand. Have the toddler draw a face on the thumb and have lots of brightly colored pieces of paper that the toddler can glue to the fingers for the turkey feathers. Using a glue stick will make this project less messy.
Leaf Pile
Have your toddler go outside and collect a bunch of leaves. Help the toddler glue them to a piece of cardstock or cardboard. Glue sticks will not work very well for this, it is better if the glue is liquid. Once the glue is mostly dry, have the toddler draw a picture of what they like to do with leaves in the fall. The cardstock or cardboard will help give your toddler a firm surface to work with that makes it easier to glue leaves onto and easier to hang up once the picture is finished.
Paint a Pumpkin
The miniature pumpkins and gourds around at this time of year make this one of those perfect easy Thanksgiving crafts for toddlers. Buy some miniature pumpkins or gourds and a variety of washable paints. Vibrant colors that have a thick paint consistency will show up best. Cover the surface where the toddler will be painting with old newspapers or an old cloth. Doing this project on a hard surface floor like linoleum that can be easily cleaned is best. If you have to do it on a carpeted area, cover the floor with an old cloth.
Cornucopias
Cut a triangle out of some cardstock, form it into the shape of a cornucopia, and staple the side edges together. Cut a circle out of the cardstock a little bit bigger than the opening in the cornucopia. Fold the edges of the circle so that it fits just inside of the cornucopia. Glue the circle into place and let it dry. Cut some strips of brown paper. Have your toddler glue the brown paper to the outside of the cornucopia. Then have them draw fruits and vegetables on different colored construction paper and glue them to the circle on the front.
Drawing Thankfulness
Even at this young age, you can help them figure out the meaning of this holiday. Tell them in words that they can understand that Thanksgiving is about being thankful for all of the wonderful things in our lives. Then just give them a blank piece of paper and some crayons and have them draw on it what they are thankful for.
No matter what easy Thanksgiving crafts for toddlers you choose, having their craft be part of the Thanksgiving decorations is sure to make them proud of their efforts.