Thanksgiving crafts don’t have to be messy, childish, or time-consuming.
They can be beautiful and fun — something you enjoy making with the kids, but that also looks polished and intentional on your holiday table.
Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner or just want a cozy fall activity, these DIY projects bring the warm, seasonal energy right into your home.
Let’s dive in — here are 10 Thanksgiving crafts for kids & adults that look charming, expensive, and totally Pinterest-worthy.
1. Mini Pumpkin + Name Tag Place Cards
These tiny pumpkin place cards instantly elevate your table decor while giving kids something meaningful to create.
Set out mini pumpkins, twine, and craft paper.
Let kids write guests’ names (or if they’re too young — they can stamp, sticker, or doodle).
Adults can handle cutting and tying.
Perfect as a “craft + decor two-in-one.”
2. Leaf-Stamped Table Runner
Kids collect leaves from outdoors, adults help paint and stamp them onto a long sheet of kraft paper or fabric.
The result? A custom Thanksgiving table runner that feels earthy, handmade, and personal.
Use neutral paint for a chic look — or let kids go bold with metallic copper and gold.
3. Pinecone Turkeys (Classic But Cute)
Yes, they’re classic.
Yes, they still bring joy every time you make them.
You’ll need:
- Pinecones
- Google eyes
- Felt scraps
- Hot glue (adult job)
These are adorable on the kids’ Thanksgiving table or even as name card holders.
4. Gratitude Paper Chain
Each family member writes what they are grateful for on a strip of paper, then links them together to form a chain.
It becomes:
- A decor piece,
- A gratitude activity,
- A memory you’ll want to keep forever.
Hang it across the fireplace, staircase railing, or dining room wall.
5. Pressed Leaf Mason Jars (Candle Lanterns)
Mod Podge + fall leaves + mason jar = instant Thanksgiving glow.
Kids place the leaves, adults handle the glue and candle.
Use LED tealights for safety — or real candles for that warm flickering dinner vibe.
6. Pumpkin Seed Art (Seriously Pretty)
Instead of throwing away pumpkin seeds, dye them with food coloring and glue them into shapes on cardstock:
- Pumpkins
- Acorns
- Leaves
Adults can sketch the outline, kids fill it in like mosaic art.
Frame it afterward — it becomes a seasonal keepsake.
7. DIY Thankful Tree
Cut branches from outdoors, place them in a vase, and let everyone hang handwritten gratitude tags.
This becomes:
- A meaningful tradition
- A Thanksgiving centerpiece
- A visual reminder of blessings
Use neutral ribbon or twine for a minimalist look.
8. Cinnamon Stick Napkin Rings
Smells like fall.
Looks like a boutique tablescape.
Tie twine around napkins with a cinnamon stick and a small leaf.
Kids can assemble, adults handle cutting fabric or ribbon.
Bonus: Your entire dining room will smell like a luxurious fall candle.
9. Acorn Cap Tiny Candles (Adult Craft)
These are tiny, adorable, and so aesthetic.
All you need:
- Acorn caps
- Wax or leftover candle ends
- A tiny wick
Kids can collect acorns, adults handle the wax.
Scatter them across your Thanksgiving table like magical woodland fairy candles.
10. Scratch-Off Gratitude Cards
Write gratitude prompts on cardstock (“I’m grateful for…”), cover the message with a DIY scratch-off mix (paint + dish soap), and let family members reveal each one during dinner.
This isn’t just a craft — it becomes a memory.
Pro Tip
Pick one craft to use as decor on your Thanksgiving table — suddenly your whole home feels curated and intentional, without buying a single overpriced centerpiece.
