Thanksgiving crafts for toddlers are one of the most popular ways U.S. families celebrate the holiday at home, in preschools, and in daycare settings. With more parents and teachers sharing ideas on social platforms in 2025, simple, hands-on projects that use safe materials and encourage gratitude are in especially high demand.
This guide focuses on practical, age-appropriate projects that are easy to prep, easy to clean up, and designed with toddler safety in mind.
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What Makes a Good Thanksgiving Craft for Toddlers?
Toddlers need projects that are simple, sensory, and short in duration. Their attention spans are limited, and fine motor skills are still developing.
Strong Thanksgiving projects share a few features:
- Use non-toxic, washable supplies
- Include big, easy-to-grasp pieces
- Take 10–20 minutes to finish
- Allow lots of freedom and “messy” creativity
- Avoid sharp edges and tiny choking hazards
When you choose activities with these features, the holiday stays fun rather than stressful for both kids and adults.
Supplies Checklist: Toddler-Friendly Craft Basics
You do not need fancy materials to set up Thanksgiving crafts for toddlers. Many projects rely on simple, affordable supplies that are widely available in U.S. stores.
Here is a quick reference table for planning:
| Supply Type | Toddler-Friendly Options |
|---|---|
| Paper | Construction paper, cardstock, paper plates |
| Adhesives | Washable glue sticks, glue dots, contact paper |
| Drawing Tools | Jumbo crayons, washable markers |
| Paint | Washable tempera, non-toxic finger paint |
| Extras | Feathers, pom-poms, tissue paper, stickers |
| Tools (Adult Use) | Child-safe scissors, painter’s tape |
Always check packaging for age recommendations and choose non-toxic, washable labels for anything toddlers will touch.
Paper Plate Turkey: A Classic Toddler Favorite
This craft is simple, colorful, and a staple in many U.S. homes and classrooms.
You’ll need:
- Plain white or brown paper plates
- Construction paper in fall colors
- Jumbo crayons or washable markers
- Glue stick
- Pre-cut “feather” shapes (adult-cut)
- Pre-cut beak and wattle pieces
Steps:
- Let toddlers color the paper plate to create the turkey’s body. Scribbles are perfect.
- Offer pre-cut paper feathers so children can glue them around the top edge of the plate.
- Help each child glue on two circle “eyes,” a small triangle beak, and a wattle shape.
- Write the child’s name and the year on the back.
This project builds hand–eye coordination and gives families a keepsake they can pull out every November.
Gratitude Handprint Tree for Little Hands
Many parents want activities that gently introduce the idea of gratitude. A handprint tree works well for toddlers, even if they cannot yet write.
You’ll need:
- Large sheet of cardstock or poster board
- Brown marker or paint for the tree trunk
- Washable paint in fall colors or colored paper for handprints
- Baby wipes or damp cloths for cleanup
Steps:
- Draw or paint a simple tree trunk and branches on the paper (adult job).
- Paint each toddler’s hand with washable paint or trace and cut hand shapes from paper.
- Press handprints around the branches to make “leaves.”
- For older toddlers, adults can add simple words on the trunk such as “Family,” “Love,” or the child’s name.
Hang the tree at home or in a classroom, and add new handprints each year to watch it grow.
No-Mess Thanksgiving Sensory Bags
Many young children love sensory play but are not ready for tiny beads or loose parts. A sealed sensory bag gives them a chance to squish and explore safely.
You’ll need:
- Heavy-duty resealable plastic bags
- Clear hair gel or colored gel
- Flat foam leaves or large sequins
- Strong tape to seal edges
Steps:
- Fill a bag with a layer of gel—just enough to squish around.
- Add a few foam leaves or large shapes in fall colors.
- Squeeze out excess air and seal tightly.
- Tape all edges down to a table or tray so toddlers can press and move the pieces inside.
This activity works well for toddlers who are not ready for glue or paint but still want a Thanksgiving-themed experience.
Simple Thanksgiving Crowns for Holiday Photos
Toddler-made Thanksgiving crowns are cute for family gatherings and photos while still staying craft-focused and easy to assemble.
You’ll need:
- Strips of cardstock or construction paper
- Pre-cut paper leaves or feather shapes
- Stickers
- Glue sticks
- Tape or stapler (adult use only)
Steps:
- Wrap a strip of cardstock loosely around the toddler’s head to measure size; tape or staple to form a band.
- Invite the child to decorate the band with stickers, scribbles, and glued-on leaf shapes.
- Attach a few “feathers” or leaves to the back so they stand up like a festive crown.
Kids love wearing their creations at the dinner table, and adults get adorable holiday photos without complicated costumes.
Thanksgiving Collage Placemats
Crafted placemats let toddlers contribute directly to the holiday table. These projects are easy to adapt for home or classroom use.
You’ll need:
- Large sheets of construction paper or thin poster board
- Fall-themed magazine pictures or pre-cut shapes
- Glue stick
- Self-adhesive laminating sheets or clear contact paper (optional for durability)
Steps:
- Provide photos or cutouts of leaves, pumpkins, simple foods, and family images.
- Let toddlers glue pieces anywhere on the page to build their own collage.
- Once the glue dries, adults can cover the artwork with laminating sheets or clear contact paper to make it reusable.
These placemats keep toddlers involved in Thanksgiving prep and can be wiped down after meals.
Safety Tips for Thanksgiving Crafts With Toddlers
Because young children explore with their hands and sometimes their mouths, safety needs to shape every step.
Keep these guidelines in mind:
- Use non-toxic and washable art supplies only.
- Avoid beads, small buttons, or anything that can fit through a toilet paper tube (choking size).
- Pre-cut shapes for young toddlers instead of handing them scissors.
- Supervise glue use; choose glue sticks over liquid bottles for better control.
- Keep hot tools, sharp scissors, and staplers in adult hands only.
A safe setup lets toddlers enjoy the project while adults relax a bit more.
Adapting Crafts for Different Ages and Abilities
Not all toddlers are at the same developmental stage. Some can follow two-step directions, while others simply enjoy smearing paint.
A few quick ways to adapt:
- For younger toddlers, focus on process: finger painting, stamping, and sticking large stickers.
- For older toddlers, add simple instructions, such as “First glue, then add feathers.”
- For children with sensory sensitivities, offer alternatives to sticky textures, like crayons instead of finger paints.
The goal is participation, not perfection. When adults focus on fun rather than results, everyone enjoys the crafts more.
Using Crafts to Teach Simple Thanksgiving Themes
While toddlers are still very young, crafts can introduce them to basic themes tied to the holiday: family, sharing, and thankfulness.
You can:
- Talk about favorite foods while making turkey crafts.
- Name family members as you create handprint trees.
- Use placemat projects to chat about “things we like” or “things that make us happy.”
These simple conversations connect art time with the meaning behind the celebration, all while keeping the activity age-appropriate and light.
Conclusion
Thoughtfully chosen Thanksgiving crafts for toddlers give families and educators a fun, hands-on way to celebrate the season while supporting early learning, creativity, and connection. With safe supplies, simple steps, and realistic expectations, you can turn craft time into one of the most memorable parts of the holiday.
Which toddler-friendly Thanksgiving craft are you excited to try this year? Share your ideas or results in the comments and check back often for more family-ready holiday inspiration.