15 Easy Thanksgiving Crafts for Toddlers they will Love

Crafting with toddlers during Thanksgiving is a joyful (and often hilariously messy) experience. Whether it’s paint-covered fingers or glue-stick overload, these little moments create big memories. But as any parent or caregiver knows, the best Thanksgiving crafts for toddlers are those that are safe, simple, and actually doable with wiggly little hands.

That’s why we’ve rounded up 15 adorable Thanksgiving crafts perfect for toddlers—no fancy supplies, no tricky steps, just pure seasonal fun. From paint-and-play projects to printable activities designed for short attention spans, there’s something here for every energy level and every home.

Want a shortcut to fun? Our Thanksgiving Activity Pages Bundle includes toddler-friendly printables like dot marker pages, simple puzzles, and thankful doodle sheets—all designed to keep little ones busy without the prep or the mess.

Let’s dive in!

15 Easy & Fun Thanksgiving Crafts for Toddlers

Toddlers love to explore the world with their hands—and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to channel that energy into something creative. The Thanksgiving crafts for toddlers in this list are simple, safe, and intentionally low-prep, making them ideal for short attention spans and tiny hands. Whether you’re using paint, paper, stickers, or printables, these activities are all about encouraging creativity without the chaos.

From classic handprint turkeys to mess-free dot marker pages, each craft idea below is designed to spark joy and support early development—without requiring perfection. So roll up those sleeves, grab your wipes, and let the toddler fun begin!

1. Handprint Turkey with Paint

This classic Thanksgiving craft never gets old—and toddlers absolutely love it. Simply paint your child’s hand with washable, non-toxic paint (each finger a different color works great), then press it onto a sheet of paper to create the turkey’s body and feathers. Add a googly eye, a small paper beak, and a wattle to complete the look.

Why it’s perfect for toddlers: It’s sensory-rich, visually engaging, and lets kids play with textures in a safe, creative way. There’s no right or wrong outcome—just colorful, memorable fun. Plus, this is one of those Thanksgiving crafts for toddlers that becomes an adorable keepsake for years to come.

Parent tip: Keep baby wipes or a damp washcloth nearby for quick cleanup!

2. Paper Plate Turkey Face

Grab a paper plate, construction paper, glue, and Googly eyes. Let your toddler glue on oversized feathers and create a silly face for their turkey.

Why its perfect: Big pieces are easy for little hands to handle, and it’s mess-free compared to paint.

3. Dot Marker Cornucopia (Printable)

Use dot markers to fill in a printable cornucopia full of fruits and veggies. Toddlers can explore color choices and patterns without needing fine motor control.

Why it works: Dot markers are a great tool for younger kids, and this Thanksgiving craft for toddlers builds early fine motor skills coordination.

Learn more about Why your Kids gonna Love Thanksgiving Dot Markers Printables.

Other Thanksgiving Dot Markers Activity Pages are included in our Thanksgiving Activity Pages Bundle for instant download!

4. Leaf Stamping with Fall Colors

Let toddlers dip real leaves into washable paint and stamp them onto paper to create a colorful Thanksgiving backdrop.

Why it works: Combines sensory play with natural textures, making it one of the most engaging Thanksgiving craft ideas for toddlers.

5. Feather Collage Turkey

Give your toddler a large turkey cutout and a pile of real or craft feathers. Let them glue the feathers however they like to create a vibrant turkey tail.

Why it works: It promotes creativity and independent decision-making without requiring detailed instructions.

6. Crayon Scribble Pumpkins

Draw large pumpkin outlines and let toddlers go wild with chunky crayons. Encourage them to fill the shape with color any way they want.

Why it works: A mess-free and low-effort Thanksgiving craft for toddlers that celebrates process over perfection.

We’ve done the hard work for you! Read our Ultimate guide where we gathered 32 of the best Thanksgiving crafts for kids—sorted by age, activity type, and prep level.

7. Stuffed Paper Bag Turkey

Crumple newspaper and stuff it inside a brown paper lunch bag to create the turkey’s body. Let toddlers glue feathers, eyes, and a beak onto the bag.

Why it works: It’s tactile and active, giving little hands something fun to squish and squeeze.

8. Cotton Ball Painted Pumpkin

Dip cotton balls into paint and let toddlers stamp them on a pumpkin outline. You can clip the cotton ball with a clothespin for easier gripping.

Why it works: It’s safe, easy to clean, and offers great practice for hand strength and coordination.

9. Thankful Coloring Page (Printable)

Print a simple “I’m thankful for…” coloring page and let your toddler draw, scribble, or watercolor their feelings.

Why it works: A gentle introduction to gratitude, and it’s part of our Thanksgiving Activity Pages Bundle for easy access!

10. Footprint Turkey

Paint your toddler’s foot with brown paint and stamp it on paper to create the turkey body. Use fingers or paper cutouts to add feathers.

Why it works: It’s adorable, memory-making, and one of those keepsake Thanksgiving crafts for toddlers parents love.

11. Sticker Turkey Craft

Provide a large turkey cutout and a sheet of toddler-safe stickers—eyes, feathers, hats, etc.—and let them decorate freely.

Why it works: No glue, no scissors, just fun. Perfect for classrooms and toddler playgroups.

12. Simple Turkey Puzzle (Printable Cut & Paste)

Print out a turkey puzzle with large shapes. Cut the pieces out and let your toddler match and glue them onto a background.

Why it works: Enhances shape recognition and problem-solving skills.

Learn more about Why Kids Love Thanksgiving Cutting Practice Worksheets.

More fun Thanksgiving Cut & Paste Activities are included in our Thanksgiving Activity Pages Bundle as a fun, educational extra!

13. Contact Paper Leaf Collage

Stick contact paper (sticky side up) to a table and let toddlers press on leaves, tissue paper, or nature bits to make a fall collage.

Why it works: No glue needed, and toddlers love the tactile experience.

14. Pumpkin Seed Gluing

Dye pumpkin seeds in fall colors and let your toddler glue them onto a paper pumpkin or corn outline.

Why it works: Combines sensory play with creative expression—great for little ones working on pincer grasp.

15. “I’m Thankful For” Toddler Doodle Sheet

Give your child a printable with a large central prompt like “I’m thankful for…” and a big blank space to draw or paint their answer.

Why it works: A meaningful, open-ended Thanksgiving craft idea for toddlers that sparks discussion while being fun to create.

Fun Thanksgiving Activity Pages Printable Bundle

We get it—Making Thanksgiving Crafts for Toddlers can be unpredictable. Some days they’re all in, and others… not so much. That’s why having a go-to resource like our Thanksgiving Activity Pages Bundle can make all the difference.

This printable bundle is filled with toddler-friendly activities designed to make your life easier and your little one’s day more fun. From dot marker pages to simple puzzles and coloring sheets, everything is ready to print and go—no cutting, prepping, or Pinterest-level planning required.

What’s Included in the Bundle:

• Thanksgiving Coloring Pages (40 pages): Fun, festive scenes for kids to color — turkeys, pumpkins, harvest icons, and more.
• Thanksgiving Activity Book (47 pages): Mazes, word searches, dot-to-dots, tracing, matching, crosswords, and more.
• Thanksgiving Dot Markers Book (34 pages): Big, bold designs for toddlers to enjoy do-a-dot play while building focus and coordination.
• Thanksgiving Cutting Practice Worksheets (29 pages): Scissor skill printables for developing fine motor skills with festive cut lines and shapes.

Here’s why parents and teachers love it:

• Low-mess and totally toddler-safe
• Skill-building activities that support motor skills and early learning
• Instant download—no waiting, no stress
• Reusable throughout the entire Thanksgiving season

Whether you need a last-minute activity or a full week of screen-free fun, the bundle is your secret weapon for stress-free holiday crafting. Get Instant Access Now.

Tips for Parents & Teachers

Creating with toddlers is more about the experience than the end result. That said, a few smart strategies can help make crafting time smoother, more enjoyable, and (mostly) mess-free. Whether you’re trying these Thanksgiving crafts for toddlers at home or in a daycare setting, these tips will set you up for success:

• Prep ahead: Cut, print, or organize materials before inviting your toddler to the table. Their attention spans are short—every second counts!
• Keep it short and sweet: Most toddlers can focus for 5–10 minutes at a time. Choose crafts that can be done in quick bursts.
• Use toddler-safe materials: Washable paint, blunt scissors (if needed), and glue sticks make cleanup and supervision easier.
• Limit options: Too many materials can overwhelm little ones. Offer 2–3 choices to keep things simple and engaging.
• Celebrate the process, not the outcome: Toddlers learn through play. Let them make a mess, color outside the lines, and take ownership of their art.

With these tips—and maybe a copy of our Thanksgiving Activity Pages Bundle on hand—you’re all set for a fun, low-stress crafting experience your toddler will love.

Final Thoughts on Thanksgiving Crafts for Toddlers

Toddlers may be small, but their enthusiasm for paint, glue, and glitter is huge. The right Thanksgiving crafts for toddlers don’t have to be complicated—they just need to be fun, safe, and age-appropriate. Whether you’re creating a handprint turkey keepsake or coloring a dot marker cornucopia, these little moments are what make the holidays truly special.

And if you’re looking to make things even easier this season, don’t forget to grab our Thanksgiving Activity Pages Bundle. It’s your shortcut to stress-free, screen-free fun your toddler will love—and you’ll love how simple it is to set up.

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