Easy and Fun Thanksgiving Paper Crafts Ideas

Last year around Thanksgiving, I remember sitting at the kitchen table with scraps of paper, glue all over my fingers, and my niece asking me (for the tenth time) if her turkey cutout looked “too lopsided.” Honestly? It did—but that’s what made it perfect. That’s the charm of Thanksgiving paper crafts: they don’t need to be flawless to be fun. In fact, the little imperfections are what make them feel real, like memories you can actually hold. Maybe you’ve felt that holiday stress where you want your home to look festive but don’t want to spend hours (or a fortune) on decorations. I get it. That’s why I love these simple, cozy paper projects—they’re easy, affordable, and give you an excuse to slow down with family. Stick around, because I’ll share a bunch of Thanksgiving paper crafts ideas that’ll bring warmth and creativity to your holiday without the overwhelm.

Thanksgiving Paper Crafts Ideas

Thanksgiving Paper Crafts Ideas are a fun and easy way to celebrate the holiday. They’re perfect for making decorations, gifts, and fun activities for the whole family.

Paper Plate Turkey Craft

I’ve done this one so many times with kids around, and it never fails to make everyone laugh. Paper plate turkeys are just so simple yet ridiculously fun. All you really need is a paper plate, some markers or crayons, a pair of googly eyes if you’ve got them, and maybe some colored construction paper for feathers. The first time I made one, I didn’t even bother cutting the plate—it just sat there, round and wobbly, but once I glued those silly little feathers on the back, it actually looked like a turkey. Kids get a kick out of scribbling wild patterns for feathers, and honestly, it’s one of those crafts that doesn’t have to be neat at all. The messier it is, the more personality the turkey ends up having.

In my opinion, the real joy of this craft is letting go of perfection. One Thanksgiving, my niece decided her turkey needed sunglasses, so she drew giant black shades right on its face, and I still laugh thinking about it. Another time, I ran out of googly eyes and had to cut out wonky circles instead—they looked ridiculous, but hey, it worked. That’s the beauty of it: you can use whatever’s lying around the house. So don’t stress, just grab a paper plate and start sticking feathers everywhere. You’ll be surprised at how quickly it becomes a crowd favorite.

Handprint Leaf Wreath

This one always feels extra sweet to me because it doubles as a keepsake. You know those little traced handprints kids make? Well, imagine cutting a bunch of those out on autumn-colored paper—reds, yellows, oranges, even browns—and arranging them in a circle to look like a wreath. The first time I made one, my hands were way too big, so I roped in my younger cousin to donate his handprints. It turned out so much better with smaller hands, to be fair, because it really looked like leaves layered together. There’s something so warm about having everyone in the family pitch in and add their handprint—it’s like you’re building a memory wreath together.

I’ve found that it’s not just for kids either. Adults secretly love tracing their hands and laughing at how big or crooked they are. One Thanksgiving, my uncle cut his handprint out of neon green paper because he didn’t like the “boring” fall colors. We stuck it in anyway, and it ended up being the highlight of the wreath. Honestly, the imperfections make it better. Hang it on the front door or above the table and you’ve got a handmade decoration that feels personal. Every time I look at one, I think about the laughter that went into making it, and that’s way more special than any store-bought wreath

Paper Pumpkin Garland

Pumpkin garlands are my go-to when I want something festive but easy enough to throw together last minute. All you need is some orange construction paper, scissors, and string. Cut out a bunch of pumpkin shapes—don’t worry if they look a little lopsided; real pumpkins aren’t perfect either. The first time I tried this, my pumpkins looked more like oranges, but once I added little green stems and drew silly faces on them, they turned out adorable. It’s a forgiving craft, which is why I love it. Plus, you can make as many or as few as you want, depending on how long you want the garland.

One year, I actually let the kids draw different expressions on each pumpkin, and it turned into this goofy lineup of faces—some happy, some spooky, some just plain weird. We strung it across the fireplace, and it became the centerpiece of the whole living room. In my opinion, what makes this craft so charming is the variety. Every pumpkin looks different, and that’s exactly how it should be. If you want to get fancy, you can even layer two cutouts together to make them pop a bit more, but honestly, just the flat paper ones do the trick. It’s the kind of decoration that brings a smile every time you glance at it.

Thanksgiving Place Cards

Personalized paper place cards add a special touch to your Thanksgiving table. These simple crafts can be decorated with leaves, turkeys, or pumpkins. They help guests find their seats and make your table setting more festive. Kids can also help create these, making the meal more meaningful.

• Fold cardstock to stand upright on the table

• Use fall-themed stamps or drawings for decoration

• Write guest names clearly with colorful pens

• Add small paper leaves or acorns as embellishments

• Use glitter or metallic markers for sparkle

Paper Cornucopia Centerpiece

A paper cornucopia is a beautiful, handmade centerpiece full of paper fruits and vegetables. It’s a great craft project that brings a harvest feel to your Thanksgiving decor. You can customize the size and colors to fit your table. Kids enjoy making the little paper foods to fill the cornucopia.

• Create the cone shape with brown cardstock or construction paper

• Cut out paper fruits like apples, grapes, and pumpkins

• Use markers to add texture to paper foods

• Glue pieces securely to avoid falling apart

• Place the cornucopia on a decorated tray or table runner

Origami Turkey

Try folding a simple origami turkey for a neat, hands-on craft. Origami teaches patience and fine motor skills, making it perfect for older kids and adults. These paper turkeys are easy to display and can be used as gift tags or decorations. They add a fun twist to traditional Thanksgiving crafts.

• Use colorful origami paper for best results

• Follow step-by-step videos or diagrams for guidance

• Add drawn eyes and a beak with markers

• Attach a small loop to hang as ornaments

• Combine several turkeys for a festive display

Paper Leaf Garland

A paper leaf garland brings fall colors into any room with simple paper cutouts. This craft is inexpensive and can be customized with different leaf shapes and sizes. It’s perfect for hanging across windows, walls, or stair railings. Kids can help by cutting or decorating the leaves.

• Trace real leaves for accurate shapes

• Use a mix of textured and plain paper for variety

• Decorate leaves with glitter, paint, or crayons

• Attach leaves to string with glue or tape

• Make the garland as long as needed for your space

Thanksgiving Card Making

Handmade Thanksgiving cards are a heartfelt way to say thank you or send greetings. Using paper, markers, and stickers, you can create personalized cards for friends and family. This craft encourages creativity and makes your holiday messages extra special. It’s also a fun activity to do with children.

• Use cardstock for sturdy cards

• Decorate with fall motifs like pumpkins, leaves, and turkeys

• Write a personal message inside each card

• Add layered paper cutouts for 3D effects

• Use stamps or stickers to save time

Paper Feather Headbands

Create festive feather headbands using paper cutouts for a playful Thanksgiving costume or party accessory. This craft is simple and fun for kids and adults alike. It’s great for Thanksgiving photo ops or classroom celebrations. Plus, it encourages creativity in choosing colors and patterns.

• Cut feathers from bright, fall-colored paper

• Attach feathers to a plain paper or elastic headband

• Use markers or glitter to add designs on feathers

• Make the headband adjustable for different sizes

• Combine with other paper crafts for a full costume

Paper Acorn Craft

Paper acorns are cute, small decorations that bring a harvest theme indoors. They’re easy to make and work well as table scatter or glued onto wreaths and garlands. This craft can also be a fun sensory activity when combined with real acorns. Kids enjoy assembling and decorating their paper acorns.

• Cut out acorn shapes from brown and tan paper

• Layer two paper pieces for the top and body of the acorn

• Add texture with markers or crumpled paper

• Glue a small paper stem on top

• Use as gift tags or place card decorations

Paper Pumpkin Lanterns

Paper pumpkin lanterns add warm, glowing light to your Thanksgiving celebrations. Made by cutting shapes into paper and folding them into pumpkin forms, these crafts create cozy ambiance. They are perfect for evening dinners or holiday parties. Use battery-operated candles inside for safety.

• Use thick orange paper or cardstock

• Cut out pumpkin shapes and fold edges to create 3D effect

• Punch holes or cut designs to let light shine through

• Secure with glue or tape

• Place LED tealights inside to illuminate

Gratitude Tree with Paper Leaves

Make a gratitude tree where family members write what they’re thankful for on paper leaves. This craft encourages reflection and gratitude, perfect for Thanksgiving. The tree becomes a meaningful decoration and conversation starter. It’s easy to update with new leaves each year.

• Cut out large tree trunk and branches from brown paper

• Use colorful paper for leaves

• Provide pens or markers for writing gratitude notes

• Attach leaves to the tree with tape or glue

• Display in a common area to share thankfulness

Turkey Paper Fans

Create paper fans shaped like turkey feathers for a simple, fun craft. These fans can be used as decorations or handheld props during Thanksgiving events. The craft helps kids practice folding and decorating skills while making festive art. It’s a quick way to add color and movement to celebrations.

• Fold paper accordion-style for fan base

• Cut paper in feather shapes and glue to fan edges

• Decorate feathers with patterns or glitter

• Attach a paper turkey head to the handle

• Use as party favors or place setting accessories

Paper Harvest Basket

Make a small paper basket filled with paper fruits and vegetables as a festive centerpiece or gift. This craft is a fun way to learn about the harvest and gives kids a chance to practice cutting and assembling. It also looks charming on a Thanksgiving table or shelf.

• Fold paper into a simple basket shape

• Cut out paper fruits and veggies like apples, corn, and squash

• Decorate each piece with markers or crayons

• Glue fruits inside the basket for fullness

• Add a paper handle for realism

Thanksgiving Paper Chains

Paper chains are a colorful and easy craft to count down to Thanksgiving or decorate a room. Using strips of paper, you create a loop chain that can be hung anywhere. Kids love making these, and you can add notes of thanks on each link. It’s a creative way to build excitement for the holiday.

• Use strips of fall-colored paper

• Write thankful messages on each strip before linking

• Secure links with glue or tape

• Make the chain as long as you want

• Hang around doorways, windows, or the dining room

Tips for Crafting with Kids

Crafting with kids during Thanksgiving is a wonderful way to bond and create lasting memories. To make the experience fun and stress-free, it’s important to keep things simple, safe, and encouraging. Here are some helpful tips to make paper crafts enjoyable for children of all ages.

• Simplify Crafts for Younger Children: Choose easy projects with fewer steps and bigger pieces. Use pre-cut shapes or let them tear paper instead of cutting. Focus on coloring, gluing, and decorating rather than complex folding or cutting.

• Safety Tips for Scissors and Glue Use: Always provide child-safe scissors with rounded tips. Supervise young kids when using glue and avoid toxic materials. Use glue sticks instead of liquid glue to reduce mess. Teach kids to use tools carefully and only for their intended purpose.

• Encourage Creativity and Personal Expression: Let children add their own ideas, colors, and decorations. Praise their efforts rather than perfection. Offer a variety of materials so they can experiment and make crafts unique to them. This helps build confidence and makes crafting more meaningful.

FAQ

What materials do I need for Thanksgiving Paper Crafts Ideas?

Basic materials include colored paper, scissors, glue, markers, and crayons. Optional items like glitter, stickers, and ribbons can add extra fun.

Are these Thanksgiving Paper Crafts Ideas suitable for young children?

Yes! Many Thanksgiving paper crafts are simple and can be adapted for all ages. Just choose easy projects and supervise kids when using scissors or glue.

How can I use paper crafts for Thanksgiving decorations?

You can make garlands, wreaths, place cards, and centerpieces from paper crafts to brighten up your home or dining table for the holiday.

Can paper crafts be used as gifts for Thanksgiving?

Absolutely! Handmade cards, place cards, and small paper decorations make thoughtful, personalized gifts for family and friends.