Mess-Free Thanksgiving Crafts + Free Templates

Hi y’all! Here are 6 MESS-FREE Thanksgiving crafts for your kids to do during your busy holiday dinners!

We all know that even though gathering with family is always fun, it is also quite hectic! It can also be hard to keep the kids entertained while you are cooking without them making an even bigger mess!
However, these crafts require only a handful of materials, which make them easy to take on-the-go! As well as , super simple so your kiddos can keep themselves occupied!

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Mess-free thanksgiving craft- Activity Placemat

I know this placemat doesn’t really fall into the “mess-free Thanksgiving crafts” category per se. However, this placemat is a great way to create a calm environment while food is being served!
If your house is anything like mine, chaos tends to break loose right before mealtime. There is an overabundance of excitement, which causes the noise volume to sky rocket. Then the running around begins.

So, instead of pulling your hair out, pull out a box of crayons and this placemat!

Happy Leaf Stick puppets

These super silly leaf puppets are incredibly easy to make! Which make them perfect even for your toddler! (These are a huge hit in my house!)

What you need:

• My “Happy Leaf Puppet” Craft Template.
• Googly Eyes.
• Craft Sticks or Popsicle Sticks.
• Glue Stick.
• Cardstock.
• Crayons.
• Safety Scissors.

hOW tO mAKE iT:

Color the leaves, then cut them out.
Once you have them cut out, glue on googly eyes and draw a smile.
Then simply glue the Happy Leaf onto a craft stick!

“I’m Thankful for” Paper plate Pumpkin

This craft is not only mess-free but it’s also a great way to teach our kids about gratitude! Instead of them writing down generalities (like I did) have them be more specific. This will help them realize how truly blessed they are!
If you would like more tips to help your family be more grateful check out my 10 Steps To Creating A Grateful Heart As A Family.

What you need:

• My “Thankful Pumpkin” Template.
• Green or Brown Construction Paper.
• Paper Plate.
• Yarn.
• Green Craft Pipe Cleaner.
• Cardstock.
• Crayons.
• Safety Scissors.
• Glue Stick.
• Hole Punch.
• Black Sharpie. (Optional)

How to make it:

-First you will need to color the small pumpkins and the paper plate. (I used the backside of the paper plate because it is more rounded like a pumpkin.) Then cut out the pumpkins.

-Second, draw and cut out a stem for the pumpkin. Then glue it on the backside of the paper plate.

-Thirdly, wrap half of the pipe cleaner around a pencil to create a spiral, then remove the pencil. Repeat with the other end of the pipe cleaner. (Be sure to leave a small gap between the spirals.) Then glue it at the bottom of the stem.

-Fourthly, write “I Am Thankful For…” on the paper plate. (Please excuse my crooked words, I apparently can’t write straight without lines to guide me.😉) Then have the kiddos write what they are thankful for on the small pumpkins.

-Lastly, using a hole punch, make 5 holes along the bottom of the paper plate. Then put a hole in each stem of the small pumpkins.
Once you decide where you want to place the pumpkins run a strand of yarn through a hole in the paper plate and knot it. Then take the other end of the yarn and run it through the hole in the pumpkin and knot it. Simply repeat this step for each pumpkin.

*To hang it up simply punch a hole on each side of the stem and run a strand of yarn through, then knot the ends!

Mess-Free thanksgiving craft- turkey puppet

This craft is easy enough for kids of all ages! Especially if you use my FREE template! (However, the younger ones may need a little help with the scissors.)

You can find the full craft tutorial here!

MESS-FREE THANKSGIVING CRAFT- PAPER PLATE SCARECROW

Do your kids love scarecrows? If so, then they will want to make this adorable craft! And the best part is- it’s super easy and super cheap!

Check out the full craft tutorial here!

mess free thanksgiving craft- Autumn shapes sun catcher

These Autumn Shape Sun Catchers are easier for kids 7 and up. My 4 year old struggled a little doing it on his own. However, the finished product is beautiful! So, if you have time to lend a hand I highly recommend giving this mess-free thanksgiving craft a try!

Get the step by step instructions here!

I hope you enjoyed these mess-free Thanksgiving crafts! Let me know in the comments below if you tried any of them.
Also, don’t forget to sign up for your FREE Mess-Free Thanksgiving Craft Templates!