Thanksgiving Crafts for Toddlers: Creating Cherished Memories with Grandparents
Hey there, readers!
As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s a perfect time to gather your little ones and engage in some festive crafting activities. These simple and fun projects will not only provide entertainment for toddlers but also create precious memories to cherish with their grandparents. So, let’s dive right in!
Paper Plate Pilgrims and Indians
Materials:
- Paper plates
- Markers or crayons
- Construction paper (brown, orange, red, yellow)
- Glue
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Cut two paper plates in half for the pilgrim and Indian bodies.
- Draw faces and clothing on the plates.
- Cut shapes from construction paper for hats, feathers, and pilgrim collars.
- Glue the decorations onto the plates.
- Add a dab of glue to the bottom of each half and press them together to form a 3D figure.
Thanksgiving Garland
Materials:
- Construction paper (orange, yellow)
- Glue or tape
- Markers or crayons
- String or yarn
Instructions:
- Cut out leaf shapes from the construction paper.
- Draw or write Thanksgiving-themed words or images on the leaves (e.g., “thankful,” “family,” “turkey”).
- Glue or tape the leaves onto a string or yarn.
- Hang the garland in a festive spot for a touch of cheer.
Thankful Turkey Cards
Materials:
- Card stock
- Markers or crayons
- Feathers
- Glue
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Fold a piece of card stock in half to create a card base.
- Draw a turkey body on the front of the card.
- Glue feathers around the edges of the turkey body.
- Cut out a beak, eyes, and feet from construction paper and glue them onto the turkey.
- Write a short message of gratitude on the inside of the card.
Creative Ways to Enhance Your Crafts
Incorporate Nature
Bring the beauty of nature into your crafts by using leaves, twigs, and pinecones. They can be used as decorations, or even as the base for unique creations.
Use Sensory Elements
Engage toddlers’ senses by incorporating materials like glitter, glue, and fabric. These tactile experiences will foster their creativity and provide them with a fun and stimulating adventure.
Encourage Collaborative Effort
Craft time is an excellent opportunity for grandparents and toddlers to bond and work together. Assign different tasks based on the child’s abilities, such as decorating or gluing.
Thanksgiving Crafts Table
| Craft | Materials | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Paper Plate Pilgrims and Indians | Paper plates, markers, construction paper, glue, scissors | See “Paper Plate Pilgrims and Indians” section for detailed instructions |
| Thanksgiving Garland | Construction paper, markers, glue or tape, string or yarn | See “Thanksgiving Garland” section for detailed instructions |
| Thankful Turkey Cards | Card stock, markers, feathers, glue, scissors | See “Thankful Turkey Cards” section for detailed instructions |
| Leaf Rubbing Turkeys | Leaves, crayons, paper | Place a leaf under a piece of paper and rub over it with a crayon to transfer the leaf’s veins and patterns |
| Pine Cone Turkey | Pine cone, felt, pipe cleaners, glue | Attach felt feathers to the pine cone, bend pipe cleaners into a beak and feet, and glue them on |
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and making cherished memories. These Thanksgiving crafts for toddlers are not only a fun way to celebrate the holiday but also a perfect opportunity to foster their creativity and bond with their grandparents. So, grab some craft supplies and let the little ones experience the joy of creating unique and festive Thanksgiving keepsakes.
Don’t forget to check out our other articles for more holiday-themed fun!
FAQ about Thanksgiving Crafts for Toddlers for Grandparents
1. What are some easy and fun Thanksgiving crafts that toddlers can make?
These crafts are easy to make and perfect for toddlers of all ages. Some of our favorites include:
- Handprint turkeys: Trace your child’s hand on paper and help them cut it out. Then, help them glue on googly eyes, a beak, and feathers.
- Leaf rubbings: Place a leaf under a piece of paper and help your child rub over it with a crayon. The result is a beautiful, colorful leaf rubbing that your child can frame or give to grandma and grandpa.
- Corn husk dolls: Corn husk dolls are a fun and easy way to use up leftover corn husks. Simply tie a husk around the middle to form the body, then add a head, arms, and legs.
- Popsicle stick turkeys: Glue three popsicle sticks together to form the body of the turkey. Then, add a head, eyes, a beak, and feathers.
2. What materials do I need for these crafts?
Most of these crafts require just a few basic materials that you probably already have on hand, such as:
- Paper
- Crayons
- Markers
- Glue
- Scissors
3. How can I make these crafts more challenging for older toddlers?
If your toddler is older and looking for a challenge, you can try some of these ideas:
- Have them cut out the shapes themselves. This will help them develop their fine motor skills.
- Let them design their own turkeys or dolls. This will encourage their creativity.
- Add more details to their crafts. For example, they can glue on sequins, beads, or glitter.
4. What are some tips for making these crafts with toddlers?
Here are a few tips to make your crafting time with toddlers more enjoyable:
- Keep it simple. Choose crafts that are easy to make and that your toddler can complete in a short amount of time.
- Be patient. Toddlers are still learning how to do things, so don’t get frustrated if they make mistakes.
- Have fun! Crafting with toddlers should be a fun and enjoyable experience for both of you.
5. What are some other Thanksgiving-themed activities that I can do with my toddler?
In addition to crafts, there are many other fun and educational Thanksgiving-themed activities that you can do with your toddler, such as:
- Read Thanksgiving books. There are many great Thanksgiving books for toddlers, such as “The Night Before Thanksgiving” by Natasha Wing and “Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks” by Margaret Sutherland.
- Sing Thanksgiving songs. There are many fun Thanksgiving songs for toddlers, such as “Over the River and Through the Woods” and “We Gather Together.”
- Play Thanksgiving games. There are many fun Thanksgiving games for toddlers, such as “Pin the Feather on the Turkey” and “Turkey Bowling.”
6. How can I make these crafts more festive?
There are many ways to make these crafts more festive, such as:
- Use Thanksgiving colors. Use red, orange, yellow, and brown paper, crayons, and markers.
- Add Thanksgiving symbols. Add turkeys, pilgrims, pumpkins, and cornucopias to your crafts.
- Make them into decorations. Turn your crafts into placemats, ornaments, or wall hangings.
7. Can I use these crafts to teach my toddler about Thanksgiving?
Yes! These crafts are a great way to teach your toddler about Thanksgiving. You can talk about the history of Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims, and the Native Americans. You can also talk about the importance of giving thanks.
8. What are some other Thanksgiving-themed crafts that I can make with my toddler?
In addition to the crafts listed above, here are a few other Thanksgiving-themed crafts that you can make with your toddler:
- Corncob turkeys: Glue googly eyes, a beak, and feathers to a corncob to make a fun and easy turkey craft.
- Pumpkin suncatchers: Cut out pumpkin shapes from orange tissue paper and glue them to a piece of clear contact paper. Add a string or ribbon to hang your suncatcher in the window.
- Leaf garlands: Cut out leaf shapes from fall-colored paper and string them together to make a beautiful garland.
9. What are some of the benefits of doing Thanksgiving crafts with my toddler?
There are many benefits to doing Thanksgiving crafts with your toddler, such as:
- It’s a great way to bond with your child. Spending time together doing crafts is a wonderful way to connect with your child and create lasting memories.
- It helps your child develop their creativity. Crafts are a great way for toddlers to express themselves and explore their creativity.
- It helps your child learn about Thanksgiving. Crafts can be a fun and educational way to teach your child about the history and traditions of Thanksgiving.
10. Where can I find more Thanksgiving craft ideas?
There are many websites and books that offer Thanksgiving craft ideas for toddlers. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Crayola
- Disney Family
- Martha Stewart