15 Easy Preschool Thanksgiving Crafts

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This post is all about the top engaging preschool Thanksgiving crafts.

As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s the perfect time to engage preschoolers in fun and educational activities that celebrate this special holiday.

Preschool Thanksgiving crafts not only provide a chance for children to learn about gratitude and the history of Thanksgiving but also promote important developmental skills.

In this article, we will explore 15 exciting preschool Thanksgiving crafts and activities, ensuring a memorable and enriching holiday season for both educators and parents alike.

What is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated primarily in the United States.

It originated as a harvest festival and is typically observed on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States.

Thanksgiving is a time for people to come together with family and friends to express gratitude for the blessings and abundance in their lives.

It is often marked by a festive meal, including a roasted turkey, and is a time for reflection, appreciation, and spending quality time with loved ones.

Why Should You Celebrate Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is a holiday that holds significant cultural and historical importance. Here are a few reasons why you should consider celebrating Thanksgiving:

1. Gratitude and Reflection:

Thanksgiving provides an opportunity to reflect on the blessings and abundance in our lives. It encourages us to express gratitude for the things we often take for granted, such as family, friends, health, and opportunities.

2. Family and Community:

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones, strengthen family bonds, and create cherished memories. It offers a chance to reconnect with family members, share a meal together, and engage in meaningful conversations.

3. Cultural Tradition:

Thanksgiving has deep roots in American history and is an integral part of the country’s cultural fabric. By celebrating Thanksgiving, you participate in a longstanding tradition that has been passed down through generations.

4. Appreciation for Harvest and Food:

Thanksgiving originally commemorated the bountiful harvest and the importance of food. It is an occasion to appreciate the hard work of farmers and the abundance of nourishment that sustains us.

5. Reflection on History:

Thanksgiving also serves as a reminder of the historical events that shaped the nation. It offers an opportunity to reflect on the complex history of the United States, including the interactions between Native Americans and European settlers.

15 Easy Preschool Thanksgiving Crafts

1. Turkey Handprint Craft

A true original. What is Thanksgiving without handprinting a turkey?

This craft can be done as early as infancy. For your preschooler, it’ll be the perfect opportunity to utilize their precision to create even hand prints. Furthermore, it’ll be a sensory experience.

For this craft, you will need:

• Washable paint
• Googly eyes
• Glue
• White paper or a canvas

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2. Color Matching Turkey

This is a two-in-one type of craft. You can have your preschooler use their scissors and cut out the shape of the turkey.

Then, they can glue it, with your supervision, and finally, grab the sticker dots for a color matching activity.

This craft is perfect for little hands to practice their fine motor skills.

For this craft, you will need:

• Construction paper
• Sticker dots
• Glue
• Markers
• Scissors

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3. Sponge Turkey Painting

A two-step craft for preschoolers to practice following directions.

First step, the child will need to reach for the sponge and dip it in paint. Second step, the child paints the paper plate.

After fully painting, the child can then glue the body of the turkey, as well as the googly eyes.

For this craft, you will need:

• Washable paint
• Googly eyes
• Construction paint
• Sponges
• Paper plates
• Scissors

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4. Thanksgiving Bread in a Bag

This activity has a multitude of benefits.

Your preschooler is learning how to follow directions, uses their hands to mix the dough, uses creativity to shape the dough, and finally, practices their patience while they wait for the bread to cook and then cool before eating it.

For this craft, you will need:

• Flour
• Sugar
• Yeast
• Butter
• Water
• Salt
• Oven
• Baking sheet

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5. Fall Leaves Craft

These types of crafts are some of my favorite! This allows the kid to use their imagination and create something from out of nature.

As a result of using nature for this craft, you will only need 3 materials and a vast imagination for this craft.

If you want to take this a step further, you can take some scissors with you and have them shape the leaves however they want to create their piece of art.

For this craft, you will need:

• Leaves
• Glue
• White paper or a canvas
• Scissors (optional)

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6. Thanksgiving Gratitude Wreath

A reason we love Thanksgiving in our household is because it allows us to dedicate a whole day to expressing gratitude for what we have, and the many more blessings that are to come.

For this reason, we always start November with a gratitude wreath and/or chain.

We are blessed day after day and may not realize it and take it for granted. A gratitude wreath is a perfect opportunity to highlight to your preschooler their blessings as you speak with them about gratitude and they choose what they are grateful for.

For this craft, you will need:

• Construction paper
• Scissors
• String/ribbon
• Markers
• Glue

Source

7. Brown Paper Bag Turkey

This craft allows for a second use after completing it.

The finished product becomes a puppet you and your preschooler can play with.

For this craft, you will need:

• Craft feathers
• Googly eyes
• Brown paper bags
• Markers

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8. Beaded Pipe Cleaner Corn

A truly simply craft I wished I knew about earlier.

Despite it’s simplicity, this craft works on the preschooler’s fine motor skills, precision, and concentration.

Furthermore, while not necessary, they can even develop a pattern for the beads as they go.

For this craft, you will need:

• Pipe cleaners
• Beads

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9. Pinecone Turkey

Another craft that uses nature. Simple and creative.

This craft, like the Beaded Pipe Cleaner Corn, can have your preschooler choose a pattern as they paint the pinecone.

For this craft, you will need:

• Washable paint
• Googly eyes
• Pinecones
• Felt fabric sheets
• Glue
• Scissors

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10. Gratitude Garland

As mentioned before, one reason we love Thanksgiving in our household is because it allows us to dedicate a whole day to expressing gratitude for what we have, and the many more blessings that are to come.

A gratitude garland/chain is another opportunity to highlight to your preschooler their blessings as you speak with them about gratitude and they choose what they are grateful for.

The chain also serves as decoration.

For this craft, you will need:

• Construction paper
• Glue
• Marker/pen
• Scissors

Source

11. Cheerio Corn on the Cob

Like the Beaded Pipe Cleaner Corn, this craft allows for the child to create patterns if they so wish to do so.

For this craft, you will need:

• Cheerios
• Construction paper
• Glue
• Scissors

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12. Corn Painting

Speaking about patterns, corn on the cob itself has an amazing pattern itself!

As it comes with the season, if you have any extra corn on the cob, be sure to keep this craft in mind!

For this craft, you will need:

• Washable paint
• Corn
• White paper/canvas

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13. Pumpkin Pie Craft

An oldie but goodie!

You can take this craft one step further and create different types of pies!

After your little one finishes a pumpkin pie, they can go ahead and try to make a pecan pie or cherry pie; creating a whole collection of pies.

For this craft, you will need:

• Tissue paper
• Scissors
• Paper plates
• Glue
• Cotton balls

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14. Turkey Flower Pot

This is one of my favorites!

I am an avid gardener and this craft just warms my heart.

It will also be reused as a plant pot after being used as 1) a craft for your little one, and 2) a centerpiece for your dinning/kitchen table.

For this craft, you will need:

• Sharpie
• Mini Flower Pot
• Tissue paper
• Scissors
• Glue

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15. Tissue Paper Turkey Craft

This craft allows for your preschooler to identify patterns in the color of the Turkey’s feathers.

AND it also helps develop their fine motor skills by having them crumble the tissue paper and then gluing it down.

For this craft, you will need:

• Markers
• Tissue paper
• Glue
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• White paper or a canvas

Source

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In conclusion, these 15 preschool Thanksgiving crafts for kids offer a wonderful opportunity to engage young children in fun and educational experiences during the holiday season.

These activities promote creativity, fine motor skills, social interaction, and a deeper understanding of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Whether it’s creating handprint turkeys or participating in gratitude exercises, these activities provide a platform for children to learn, express themselves, and develop important skills.

By incorporating these activities into your Thanksgiving celebrations, you can create lasting memories and foster a love for learning in your preschoolers.

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