5 Fun Thanksgiving Crafts to Keep Little Hands Busy In The Classroom

5 Fun Thanksgiving Crafts to Keep Little Hands Busy In The Classroom

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, there will be talk of turkeys, autumn colors, and, let's face it, a classroom full of energized, happy children. They'll need something to occupy those tiny hands when they're not daydreaming about pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. That’s where fun Thanksgiving crafts come to the rescue! Whether they’re making turkeys, wreaths, or anything else festive, these crafts are sure to add a splash of Thanksgiving spirit to your classroom.

Kids may express their creativity, strengthen their fine motor skills, and even learn a little bit about the holiday through crafts, which are more than simply a way to pass the time. Students can explore gratitude, community, and teamwork in a meaningful and enjoyable way with Thanksgiving-themed crafts. Additionally, as you get ready for the holiday break, your finished works make wonderful decorations to liven up the classroom!

I'll be sharing five fun Thanksgiving projects in this blog post that are easy, fun, and sure to keep your students working. These activities are ideal for younger pupils because they are made with small hands in mind. Let's get started with these Thanksgiving crafts that will quickly make your classroom feel festive!

HOW TO TEACH THANKSGIVING RESPONSIBLY TO YOUNG STUDENTS 

As Thanksgiving draws near, classrooms all throughout the country start getting filled with crafts, decorations, and conversations about turkey, reunions among families, and the spirit of gratitude. It is necessary to teach young pupils about Thanksgiving in a responsible and respectful manner, even though it is just as important to celebrate this joyous day. Recognizing the past, respecting different points of view, and building an attitude of gratitude that extends beyond the food on the table are all necessities for this. Here are some thoughtful ways to teach Thanksgiving responsibly in the classroom.

Understanding the History

Educating children about the history of Thanksgiving in an age-appropriate manner is one of the first steps in teaching it properly. A more complete picture must be given, even if the Pilgrims and Native Americans having a feast is frequently the main focus of the conventional tale. Discuss the effects of colonization and Indigenous peoples' experiences. Young pupils can be helped to understand these ideas without being overloaded by using simple language and visuals. Storytelling may be a really effective technique as you share stories that illustrate various Thanksgiving viewpoints.

Celebrating Diversity

Thanksgiving is observed in a variety of ways, and it is important to recognize this diversity. Students should be encouraged to share holiday-related customs and traditions from their families. This might spark insightful conversations about how various cultures perceive community and gratitude. It can also be beneficial to include activities that honor other cultural customs. To create a more welcoming environment, you could, for instance, research diverse traditional food, music, or traditions from other cultures. 

Spirit of Gratitude

Thanksgiving is a great time to help young students develop an attitude of gratitude. Encourage kids to talk about the importance of being thankful and what it means. Remind them to consider the people, events, and opportunities in their lives in addition to material possessions. This makes it easier to shift one's perspective from a completely joyful celebration to a meaningful reflection on empathy and gratitude.

Crafting with Purpose

In addition to being a popular part of classroom Thanksgiving celebrations, crafts can be used for purposes other than decoration. Rather than only creating pumpkins or turkeys, think about projects that include an educational component. As an example, children could write letters of gratitude to family members or make thank-you cards for community volunteers. This teaches kids the importance of expressing thanks while also keeping them motivated while improving their writing and artistic abilities.

THANKSGIVING CRAFTS FOR YOUNG STUDENTS

For younger students, Thanksgiving is a great time to honor tradition, family, and gratitude. And what better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than with some creative and enjoyable classroom crafts? 

In addition to allowing children to express their artistic side, these unique Thanksgiving projects give them a practical understanding of the holiday's motifs. These easy, entertaining crafts can add a Christmas feel to your classroom!

1. Thankful Turkey Feathers

This craft focuses on gratitude. Begin by cutting out a paper turkey for each student and supplying feathers made of colorful construction paper. Each student writes something they are grateful for on each feather and attaches it on their turkey. These colorful, thankful turkeys make an excellent classroom display while also teaching everyone about the value of gratitude.

2. I Am Thankful Pumpkin

This no-prep November pumpkin writing and craft activity provides students with practice in writing words and sentences about what they are thankful for during autumn, fall, November, and Thanksgiving. These fun, simple, student-made pumpkins are perfect for creating a festive bulletin board for the fall season!

3. Leafy Friends Collage

Collect fallen leaves or use paper cutouts to help students make "leafy friends." With googly eyes, markers, and glue, they can transform each leaf into a small character. Some leaves may have strange faces, caps, or even miniature "arms." This craft encourages creativity while still including seasonal fall elements.

4. Pilgrim and Native American Hats

A traditional Thanksgiving classic with a modern twist! Allow children to decorate their own paper hats with stickers, markers, and feathers instead of using plain ones. Through this activity, children may create a festive outfit that they can wear throughout the classroom while also learning a little bit about history. It's also a wonderful chance to talk about the history of the first Thanksgiving.

5. Popcorn Corn on the Cob

To create a textured "corn on the cob," kids glue popcorn kernels or popped popcorn onto a little piece of cardboard or paper cut into the shape of a corn cob. It's a fun sensory exercise, and the finished product looks delightful! You can combine this activity with a brief lesson about the harvest and the foods traditionally eaten on Thanksgiving.

Other Thanksgiving Crafts

These Thanksgiving activities create a festive atmosphere in the classroom while also allowing kids to express their creativity, appreciation, and have fun. Whether you're focused on Thanksgiving concepts or historical connections, these unique and creative activities will help your pupils remember this special occasion. 

Your students will enjoy creating these pumpkin, turkey, and pilgrim crafts for your Thanksgiving-themed November bulletin boards! These no-prep Thanksgiving activities involve simple color, cut, and glue steps, making them ideal for November art projects.

This set of four Thanksgiving crafts is designed for little hands, requires minimal setup, and is also perfect for substitute plans during November!

Thanksgiving is a chance to encourage young students to be considerate and respectful, making sure they celebrate in a way that respects tradition and responsibility. Therefore, let's use Thanksgiving as an opportunity for reflection, gratitude, and learning in our schools this holiday season!

Being a teacher myself, I can attest to how rewarding it is to see kids understand the meaning of Thanksgiving and how it connects to their everyday lives. In order to make Thanksgiving incredibly entertaining and instructive for your pupils, I sincerely hope you explore the activities mentioned earlier and have a PIGARIFFIC time! 

Stay safe and enjoy this season to the fullest until the next blog.🐷

Here are some fall-related resources that you can incorporate in the classroom that is perfect for this season: