Simple and Fun Thanksgiving Crafts for First Graders

Every year, as the leaves start to change and the cool autumn chill begins to fill the air, both teachers and parents start to focus on the upcoming holiday season and the children's craft projects just waiting to be created. For parents and teachers of first graders, the anticipation is even greater. Developmentally, first grade children are starting to think through a complete year, and they can put a calendar together in their heads; they know the holidays are on the way, and they are excited. They know that Thanksgiving means big and exciting things including winter break and Christmas or Hanukkah presents. By focusing a first grader's time and energy on Thanksgiving craft projects, you are able to keep them busy, build responsibility by having them take part in decorating, and you are also able to help support the abstract concept of time with concrete, holiday decorations. Here are eight Thanksgiving craft projects that first grade children will love. In fact, these projects are great for children of all ages. Be sure to use the templates included as images on this article.

Thanksgiving Craft Projects for Kids

Turkey Art Supply Caddy

Materials:
1 - 7" - 10" styrofoam ball
1 Piece of brown card stock
1 set of craft googly-eyes
Candy corn
Brown acrylic paint with brushes
Turkey body template (image #2 of this article)
Glue dots
Scissors
Serrated Knife (for adult)
Sharpened pencil

This Thanksgiving craft should be built first because it is both useful and decorative. By building this turkey art supply caddy, your child will have a place to store all of their art supplies when the other craft projects are being built.

First, using the serrated knife cut the styrofoam ball in half; use the brown acrylic paint to paint it brown. Next, you will want trace the turkey body template on a piece of brown card stock and cut it out. Using glue dots, glue the googly eyes and candy corn beak to the turkey body, and then glue the turkey body to the styrofoam ball. Your last step will be to poke holes in the ball using the sharpened pencil These holes can now be used to store markers, pencils, or paint brushes. The art supplies form the "feathers" on the turkey.

Terra Cotta Turkey Treat Holder

This is a Thanksgiving craft that I have used for years to hold thanksgiving candies, nuts, and snacks during family get-togethers. They are simple to make but they add a ton of atmosphere.

Materials:
1 Small Terra Cotta Pot
1 Piece of brown card stock
Assorted construction paper in fall colors
1 set of craft googly-eyes
Turkey body template (image #2 of this article)
Turkey feather template (image #3 of this article)
Candy Corn
Glue dots

First, cut out your turkey body using the brown card stock and the turkey body template; glue the googly eyes and candy corn beak. Using the feather template, create 7-10 feathers in different fall colors. With the glue dots, glue the turkey body to the front of the terra cotta pot, and the feathers, in a fan shape, to the back of the pot. Make sure to fill with your favorite Thanksgiving snack.

Thankfulness Place Mat

Thanksgiving is about being thankful, and a placemat is a great way for your first grader to focus on the Thanksgiving theme during the holiday dinner.

Materials:
1 11"X17" piece of white paper
1 Marker
1 Glue stick
Various magazines, photos, or catalogs
Laminating machine -or- clear contact paper

First, on a piece of large, 11"x17" paper, write the words "I am thankful for...". Then, have your first grader browse through family photos, magazines or catalogs for items that they are thankful for. The child should then glue them to the paper with a glue stick. After the glue is dry, laminate the place mat with a laminating machine or clear contact paper.

Leaf Turkey Place mat

This place mat idea brings together thanksgiving and fall. This craft is very festive and beautiful My children still have their leaf turkey place mats from years ago, and they still use them every year.

Materials:
1 11"X17" piece of white paper
1 Piece of brown construction paper
1 Marker
1 Glue stick
Turkey body template (image #2 of this article)
Various leaves that are turning their fall colors
Laminating machine -or- clear contact paper.

First, on the bottom or top of an 11"x17" sheet of paper write your child's name and age. Feel free to add any other Thanksgiving poem or holiday sentiment. Then, trace and cut out the turkey body template. Next, glue a collection of leaves in their fall foliage in a small fan pattern. The leaves should not be so dry that they crumble, and the fan pattern should be the right size for your turkey body. After your leaves are arranged, glue the turkey body on the leaves. Finally, when all of the glue is dry, laminate the place mat using a machine or clear contact paper.

Turkey Pot Holder

Thanksgiving crafts for first graders should be more involved than the class "hand turkey." For this craft however, the hand turkey is the perfect addition.

Materials:
Blank pot holders from a dollar store or here
Markers

First, trace your child's hand in the center of a blank pot holder with a marker. Next, simply have your child decorate the hand as a turkey by coloring the fingers various "feather" colors and putting a beak and eyes on the thumb.

Pine Cone Turkey

These pine cone turkeys are the perfect place setting for a Thanksgiving family get together. They can be used to hold dish names for a buffet, or names for a seating arrangement.

Materials:
Pine cones
1 set of craft googly-eyes
Turkey body template (image #2 of this article)
Turkey feather template (image #3 of this article)
Candy Corn
Glue dots
Index cards for names

First, cut out your turkey body using the brown card stock and the turkey body template; glue the googly eyes and candy corn beak. Using the feather template, create 7-10 feathers in different fall colors. With the glue dots, glue the turkey body to the front of the pine cone and the feathers, in a fan shape, to the back of the pine cone. Once the body is put together, cut the index cards in thirds and write the names of party foods or party guests. The card can be held in the back of the pine cone while the turkey sits at the table.

Turkey Hand Wreath and Hand and Feet Turkey

While growing up, for years I had to make dozens of silly hand turkeys. There is a place for hand turkeys, but the project needs to go beyond the basics. These two Thanksgiving craft projects take the traditional hand turkey and make them more relevant and special.

Turkey Hand Wreath - Materials
Construction paper in fall colors
Turkey body template (image #2 of this article)
Candy Corn
1 set of craft googly-eyes
1 Glue stick

First, trace your child's hands several times on different colors of construction paper (felt may also be used). You will need approximately 20-25 different hands depending on your child's hand size. Next, glue the palms of the hands, in alternating colors, together in a wreath pattern. This wreath will ultimately become the feathers of a turkey. Next, you will want trace the turkey body template on a piece of brown construction paper and cut it out. Using glue dots, glue the googly eyes and candy corn beak to the turkey body, and then glue the turkey body to the wreath. After the wreath is complete, you can hang it on a wall or door for decoration.

Hand and Feet Turkey Materials
Construction paper in fall colors
Candy Corn
1 set of craft googly-eyes
1 Glue stick

For the hand and feet turkey Thanksgiving craft, you will need 5-6 hand cutouts and two foot cutouts. Yes, for this project you need to trace your first grader's hands and feet. You should have a collection of hand cutouts in various colors. Glue these together in a fan, feather pattern. The body of the turkey comes from the foot cut outs. The foot shapes, on brown paper, should be glued together to form the body of the turkey. When the body is put together, attach the "hand feathers", googly eyes and candy corn beak,