I love to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. I love to snuggle up on the couch and read our favorite Thanksgiving picture books (even to the teens). I love to sing songs of thankfulness and weave Thanksgiving-themed aspects into our Morning Basket and daily homeschool routine.
But when it comes to crafts and hands-on activity time? I need help! I can make a great handprint turkey and a cheesy acrostic poem, but that’s about it. So I turned to some of my fellow homeschool moms and asked if they’d be willing to share their hands-on Thanksgiving ideas with you all.
And wow, there are some really fun ideas in this list! Whether you’re looking for cute table settings, STEM activities, art projects, games, or adorable snacks, you’re sure to find something your family can enjoy in this round-up.
Now it’s your turn to help! What are some of your family’s favorite Thanksgiving activities? Let us know in the comments!

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Turkey Cupcakes for Your Thanksgiving Feast from The Kennedy Adventures
“Do you need a perfect dessert for your Thanksgiving dinners and parties? Want to create the perfect Thanksgiving treat with your children? Take a look at these sweet Turkey Cupcakes that we’re making for dessert for our Thanksgiving feasts. They’re adorable, and easy enough to make with your kids in an afternoon.”
Thanksgiving STEM Activities from The Learning Hypothesis
Try these “three Thanksgiving STEM activities which explore food preservation and transportation that were important to the Native Americans (and European settlers) at that time.”

Thankful For You Free Printable Turkey Placeholders from PK1 Homeschool Fun
“These free printable turkey placeholders are a fun way to say thanks to everyone at your Thanksgiving table. Simply print, cut, tape, and add a feather for each thing you’re thankful for. They even hold a little treat bag!”
Thanksgiving Activity Placemat & Coloring Page from PK1 Homeschool Fun
“This 2 sided Thanksgiving Activity Placemat is filled with adorable, fun activities and pictures to color. Print and set them out for the little ones at your Thanksgiving table for some pre-food table fun!”
Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt from Intentional in Life
“Thanksgiving brings forth turkey, pumpkin pie, family, thankfulness, and kids abounding with energy. It seems like they have limitless energy before the meal and after. A fun way to be intentional with your kids this Thanksgiving is to give them a scavenger hunt to complete. This will be sure to make the holiday memorable.”
Thanksgiving Games from The Waldock Way
Thanksgiving Games Includes: Bingo Game, Memory Game, Find it Fast Game (Spot It), Turkey Showdown Dice Game, Coloring Sheets

Thanksgiving gratitude printables from Mary Hanna Wilson
These free printables are perfect for the Thanksgiving season so your family can slow down and focus on giving thanks and spreading kindness.
Pumpkin School: Math and Science Activities for Autumn from Our Journey Westward
“Math, science, geography, history, AND language arts all in one super-fun day of pumpkin school? YES! Skip the textbooks for a few days and enjoy some fall-themed learning with your elementary and middle school students.”
Cranberry Science from Our Journey Westward
“A little cranberry science is a great way to celebrate the holiday season. Grab a few books and a package of cranberries and have fun!”

Gratitude Challenge for Kids |Teaching Kids to be Grateful from Hess Un-Academy
“While child-friendly gratitude activities are plentiful, especially around Thanksgiving, teaching kids gratitude with a gratitude challenge will go a long way in teaching this life-changing skill. Because when it comes to Thanksgiving and kids, there is so much more to this important holiday than just turkey and pie.”
Fall Leaf Projects for Many Ages from Alicia Hutchinson
“I have a lot of kids. A lot of kids ranging in ages all over the map. Projects that we can all do together are hard to come by. Art projects, history projects, science–you name it–I struggle to find fun things we can all do. Regardless of my personal struggles, the autumn happening outside my windows has been much too stunning to waste on minor details. I wanted to create some leaf projects with my kids that we could all sit down and do together.“
Thankful for Art from ChalkPastel.com
Through art, explore a Cranberry Thanksgiving, November Nature Walk, and more!
Floating Mayflower STEM Activity from Hess Un-Academy
“Have your kiddos enjoy some Thanksgiving-themed STEM activities that are appropriate for multiple ages by building their own Mayflower ships.”
Thanksgiving Craft Projects for Kids from the Organized Homeschooler
Sun catcher turkey, pilgrim hat crayon cup, turkey leaf luminaries, and more! “The last few years I have enjoyed hosting a big Thanksgiving dinner for my family full of all of the traditional foods – gluten-free and prepared from scratch. While I am busy cooking, my daughter likes to do Thanksgiving craft projects.”
Turkey Tissue Box Thanksgiving Craft from Mama Teaches
Turn your tissue box into a super cute turkey tissue box with this super easy craft.
Fall Paper Plate Pumpkin Craft from That Kids Craft Site
“Create a picture frame or just use it for decoration! Either way, this paper plate pumpkin craft is an adorable toddler and preschool craft for kids!”
Thanksgiving Art Tutorials from Hodgepodge
The Pumpkin Gospel from Everyday Graces
“This sweet pumpkin devotion gives you a great way to share the Gospel with your children while carving a fun pumpkin.”
Printable Thanksgiving Placemats To Color from Orison Orchards
“These fun, free, printable Thanksgiving placemats will keep your kiddos entertained, and will also help to contain the mess of the meal. There are three different designs, so your kids can get creative as they each color their own placemat.”
Thanksgiving Photo Scavenger Hunt from Captivating Compass
“This photo scavenger hunt with a gratitude theme is perfect for bringing the family together during the Thanksgiving holidays.”

Story Time with Cranberry Thanksgiving from Orison Orchards
Baking and science activities to go along with the delightful picture book, Cranberry Thanksgiving.
Homeschool Friendly Thanksgiving Science Experiments from the Organized Homeschooler
“I love to incorporate science experiments into my homeschool, especially if they have a theme, like a holiday. Sometimes it is hard to find science experiments that can take place at home. We just don’t have access to the same resources as public school science labs. However, I rounded up a group of nine homeschool friendly Thanksgiving science experiments.“
Check out the Humility and Doxology lists on Amazon for more Thanksgiving and homeschool resources!
