by Joan Collins

Created on: October 22, 2009   Last Updated: December 13, 2009

Make new Thanksgiving memories and have more to be thankful for by making easy, fun arts and crafts with your kids this Thanksgiving.  You can accomplish this feat with a few simple supplies that you may already have in the arts and crafts drawer.  Clear off the table and get ready for the fun!

Thankfulness Wreath:

Trace leaf patterns on pieces of fall colored construction paper. Write one thing you are thankful for on each leaf. Place a thin line of glue around the edges of the leaf and apply glitter.  Glue the edges of the leaves together, over-lapping each leaf until you form a wreath. Tape a piece of yarn to the back of the wreath and hang it on the wall. Each family member could have their own wreath or the family could make a wreath together.

Thankfulness turkey:

Draw a big brown turkey body on a piece of construction paper and cut it out. Draw large feathers of many colors. Like the wreath, each member can write what they are thankful for at the top of a feather. The feathers are attached behind the turkey body and the turkey can be pinned to a bulletin board or a wall. Be sure to add wiggly eyes, a waddle and beak to the face of the turkey.

Profile Place mats:

Create unique place mats using light colored construction paper. Using a flashlight, trace the outlines of the heads of both a boy and a girl onto a piece of white paper. Cut out the forms and trace them onto black construction paper. Cut out each head shape and glue it onto the large piece of paper. Using a boy's head for the guys and a girl's head for the girls, write the name of each person below the head. Cover the place mats with contact paper and place them around the table for each guest to find.

Gumdrop turkeys:

Grab an apple, eight toothpicks and a package of gumdrops from the kitchen. You will also need one marshmallow. Set the apple to face you. On one toothpick, place two gumdrops and the marshmallow. Poke the toothpick into the apple on the side facing you. Take two more toothpicks and put two gumdrops on each one. Angle these gumdrops up a little and stick them into the bottom of the apple to make the turkey's feet. Take the remaining five toothpicks and put three gumdrops on each one. Place these feathers on the other side of the apple stem and form a fan across the top and side of the apples. This cute turkey would make a great centerpiece for the serving table.

Pine cone turkeys:

Another fun turkey can be created with pine cones and pipe cleaners. The full end of

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>