Adorable and Easy Infants Thanksgiving Crafts

Last year on Thanksgiving, I remember sitting at the table with my little niece who was barely crawling. While the adults were busy with turkey and pies, she was way more interested in crumpling napkins and smearing mashed potatoes across her tray. It made me laugh, but it also hit me—holidays with infants look so different, don’t they? You’re not exactly handing them scissors and glue, but you still want them to be part of the celebration. That’s where simple, safe, and oh-so-sweet infants Thanksgiving crafts come in. They’re messy, they’re imperfect, but they’re also some of the cutest keepsakes you’ll ever have. If you’ve ever felt torn between wanting to create holiday magic and not knowing what’s actually doable with tiny hands (and short attention spans), you’re not alone. Stick with me—I’ll share easy ideas that’ll make Thanksgiving feel special for both you and your little one.

Infants Thanksgiving Crafts

Infants Thanksgiving crafts are a sweet way to celebrate the holiday while making simple keepsakes. These easy and safe activities let little ones explore colors, textures, and family traditions.

Handprint Turkey Art

Handprint turkey art is one of those classic Thanksgiving crafts that never really gets old. I remember the first time I did this with my little one, I thought, “Oh no, the mess!” but honestly, it turned out to be the sweetest thing. All you really need is some washable paint, paper, and tiny hands that are willing to be smeared with color. I usually paint each finger a different shade—orange, red, yellow, maybe even green if I’m feeling wild—and the palm brown. Once that hand hits the paper, it instantly looks like a turkey body with feathers, and it just makes me smile.

In my opinion, the best part isn’t the finished art piece, but the giggles that come while pressing down those little painted fingers. To be fair, you’ll probably need wipes ready because paint travels fast on curious infants. But once it dries, I love jotting down the date underneath—it becomes such a precious keepsake.

Footprint Corn Painting

Footprint corn painting always makes me laugh because it feels a little silly, but that’s half the fun. Babies’ tiny feet are perfect for making the shape of a cob, and once you stamp that footprint on paper, you just dot around it with yellow or gold paint to mimic kernels. I once tried this while my baby was squirming, and the corn turned out looking more like a banana, but hey, still adorable.

I’ve found it works best if you do it when they’re calm—maybe after a nap or feeding. And don’t stress if it smudges a bit, imperfections make it cuter in my opinion. Sometimes I’ll cut out green paper leaves to glue around it, so it looks more “real.” Honestly, it’s not about accuracy; it’s about that little footprint captured in such a fun, seasonal way.

Leaf Collage Craft

Leaf collages are one of those activities that feel like nature meets art. I love going on little stroller walks to collect soft leaves—nothing too crunchy because those crumble fast. Once we’re back home, I let my baby explore them for a minute (supervised, of course), then we stick them down onto construction paper with non-toxic glue sticks.

In my opinion, the magic is in seeing how random and colorful it turns out. One time my baby smeared glue everywhere, and half the leaves ended up stuck to her hands instead of the paper. To be fair, it was messy, but it made the whole thing feel even more personal. I sometimes add little notes like “First Thanksgiving Leaf Art” in the corner, because these are the crafts I love pulling out years later.

Pumpkin Finger Painting

Pumpkin finger painting is one of the easiest, but also the messiest in the best way. I usually draw a simple round pumpkin outline on paper first, then just let my baby go wild with orange paint. It’s so fun to watch those little fingers swirl the paint around, sometimes creating unexpected patterns. Honestly, I end up with as much paint on me as on the paper.

To make it more festive, I’ll hand them some green paint for the stem and let them dab a bit. I once tried glitter (big mistake—it stuck around for weeks), but even without extras, the joy is in the process. In my opinion, finger painting is less about control and more about letting babies feel textures. And the pumpkin shape? That just ties it perfectly to Thanksgiving.

Feather Sticking Craft

Feather sticking is pure sensory play disguised as art. Babies absolutely love the softness of feathers, and watching them try to grab and stick them down is just adorable. I cut out a simple turkey shape beforehand, then dab glue where the feathers should go, and let my little one try sticking them on.

To be fair, most of the time the feathers end up in her lap or floating around the room like confetti, but honestly, that’s part of the fun. The final turkey looks wacky and uneven, but that’s what makes it so personal. I’ve found it helps to talk about the colors—“this feather is red, this one’s yellow”—because even if they don’t understand fully yet, it builds a playful learning moment.

Thanksgiving Sensory Bottles

Thanksgiving sensory bottles are something I stumbled into when I wanted a calmer activity. I take a clear plastic bottle, fill it with things like water, a few fake fall leaves, sequins, maybe even tiny plastic pumpkins, and then seal it up tight. My baby can shake it and watch everything float around without making a giant mess.

One time, I added glitter, and to be fair, it looked magical in the sunlight. In my opinion, sensory bottles are lifesavers during Thanksgiving prep because they keep little ones entertained while you’re busy cooking or setting the table. They don’t create an art piece you’ll keep, but the joy in their eyes as they watch things swirl is just as memorable.

Turkey Paper Plate Craft

Paper plate turkeys are so simple, yet they always make me smile. I take a plain paper plate, color or paint it brown with my baby (sometimes she just smears paint everywhere, and that’s perfect), then add construction paper feathers around the edge. A little triangle for the beak and googly eyes finish it off.

Honestly, the first time we tried this, the plate collapsed because we used way too much glue, but even that was funny. I’ve found that it’s the kind of craft where the turkey always looks goofy, and in my opinion, goofy turkeys are the best kind. It’s easy, affordable, and makes a cute decoration for Thanksgiving day.

Felt Pumpkin Shapes

Felt pumpkins are a cozy, reusable craft. I cut out little pumpkin shapes from orange felt and stems from green. Babies can stick them on a larger felt board, peel them off, and rearrange over and over. It’s like toddler-friendly puzzle play.

Honestly, it took me a while to cut out enough pieces, but once I had them, it turned into a yearly activity. I’ve found that my baby loves pulling the pumpkins off more than sticking them on, but to be fair, that’s part of the fun. In my opinion, felt crafts are underrated—they’re soft, safe, and easy to store for next year.

Cranberry Stamping Art

Cranberry stamping is one of those ideas I didn’t expect to work but ended up loving. All you need are a handful of cranberries, some paint, and paper. I dip the cranberry in paint and let my baby press it down like a stamp. The round marks look like berries or just fun polka dots.

To be fair, it gets a little slippery, and sometimes the cranberry rolls away, but honestly, the mess is half the fun. One year, I glued the stamped paper into little Thanksgiving cards, and grandparents adored them. In my opinion, it’s a great way to use natural shapes in art, plus cranberries just feel so festive.

Harvest Colors Shakers

Shakers are always a hit with infants. I make simple ones by filling small bottles with things like dried corn, rice, or even beads in autumn colors. Seal them tightly, and babies can shake, rattle, and roll with them. It’s not exactly a craft you display, but it’s still creative.

I remember one Thanksgiving, my baby kept shaking the “corn bottle” through dinner, and the rhythm was oddly perfect with our background music. In my opinion, these shakers double as both craft and entertainment. To be fair, I always hot glue the caps shut because I don’t trust those little hands not to pry them open. Safety first, fun second.

Baby-Safe Turkey Mask

A baby-safe turkey mask sounds a little over the top, but hear me out—it’s hilarious. I make it out of soft felt or thick paper, cut holes for the eyes, and add feathers or colorful paper strips. Of course, babies don’t keep it on long, but the few seconds they wear it are worth every bit of effort.

One Thanksgiving, I managed to snap a photo before the mask went flying, and it’s one of my favorite holiday pictures ever. Honestly, don’t expect your baby to parade around wearing it; to be fair, it’s more for the memory than the play. But in my opinion, those silly, fleeting moments are the heart of crafts like this.

Corn Kernel Sensory Bag

Corn kernel sensory bags are all about texture without the mess. I fill a ziplock with dried corn kernels, maybe add some Thanksgiving-themed trinkets, and seal it tight. Babies can squish, pat, and press on the bag, feeling all the movement inside.

I’ve found it’s perfect for highchair time while I prep food. To be fair, you need to double-bag it or tape the edges, because leaks can happen, and nobody wants corn all over the floor. In my opinion, it’s one of the easiest crafts to set up, and it gives a hands-on Thanksgiving vibe without a big cleanup.

Handprint Wreath Craft

Handprint wreaths are such a sweet way to capture those tiny hands. I trace or stamp baby’s handprints on colorful paper, cut them out, and arrange them in a circle to look like a wreath. It’s one of those projects where the process is a bit repetitive, but the result looks surprisingly pretty.

One year, I even added a bow at the bottom, and it ended up hanging on our wall all season. Honestly, it felt so special knowing every “leaf” was my baby’s hand. To be fair, cutting out the prints is more work for the grown-up, but in my opinion, the final keepsake is totally worth it.

Soft Felt Turkey Puppet

The felt turkey puppet was a happy little experiment that turned into a favorite. I cut out simple shapes from felt, glue them together into a turkey, and leave room for my finger to fit inside like a puppet. Babies love watching it “gobble gobble” around the room.

Honestly, my baby giggled so hard the first time I made it dance that I knew it was a win. I’ve found it’s a great distraction when she’s cranky. To be fair, the puppet doesn’t last forever if handled roughly, but in my opinion, it’s such a sweet, interactive craft that I keep making new ones every year.

Thanksgiving Keepsake Cards

Keepsake cards are my go-to when I want something to share with family. I fold cardstock into cards, then let my baby add their own touch—handprints, fingerprints, stickers, or smudges of paint. Each one turns out different, and that’s the charm.

I remember mailing these to grandparents one year, and they were over the moon. Honestly, the imperfections made them feel even more special. To be fair, it’s not a quick craft—you’ll need drying time—but in my opinion, giving a handmade card from baby’s first Thanksgiving is priceless.

Tips for Crafting with Infants

Crafting with infants during Thanksgiving can be a joyful and memorable experience. Since babies are still very small, the focus should be on fun, bonding, and sensory play rather than making perfect crafts. Here are some helpful tips to make crafting safe and enjoyable:

• Use non-toxic, baby-safe materials – Choose paints, glues, and papers that are safe if touched or mouthed by infants.

• Keep crafts simple and short – Babies have short attention spans, so keep each activity quick and easy.

• Focus on sensory fun, not perfection – Let infants explore colors, textures, and shapes without worrying about the final look.

• Always supervise closely – Stay with your baby during crafting to ensure safety and prevent accidents.

• Prepare for mess – Cover the table, use bibs, and have wipes ready to make cleanup easier.

FAQ

Are Thanksgiving crafts safe for infants?

Yes, as long as you use non-toxic, baby-safe materials and supervise your infant closely during the activity.

What kind of materials should I use for infant crafts?

Use soft paper, felt, baby-safe paints, large feathers, and items that are not small enough to be a choking hazard.

How long should a craft session last with an infant?

Keep it short, usually 5–10 minutes, since infants have very short attention spans.

Can infants really make crafts?

Infants can participate through sensory play like finger painting, stamping, or touching different textures, while parents help guide the activity.