Thanksgiving Coloring Pages (Free PDF Printables)
What happens when your child finishes coloring that adorable turkey or festive cornucopia? Instead of letting those beautiful Thanksgiving coloring pages gather dust in a drawer, you can transform them into memorable keepsakes and functional holiday decorations that bring your family together.
This comprehensive guide reveals ten innovative craft projects that breathe new life into completed Thanksgiving coloring pages. Whether you’re a parent seeking engaging activities for your children, a teacher planning classroom projects, or simply someone who loves creative DIY crafts, these ideas will help you create stunning decorations, practical table accessories, and cherished holiday memories. Each project is designed to be simple enough for young crafters while producing impressive results that enhance your Thanksgiving celebration.
Why Transform Thanksgiving Coloring Sheets Into Crafts?
Before diving into our craft ideas, let’s explore why repurposing colored pages makes perfect sense for your holiday preparations.
Coloring pages offer more than just entertainment—they’re versatile crafting materials that spark creativity and reduce waste. When you transform finished artwork into three-dimensional crafts, you teach your children valuable lessons about resourcefulness while creating personalized decorations that carryholdimental value. Unlike store-bought items, these handmade pieces tell a story and showcase your family’s artistic efforts.
The beauty of these projects lies in their accessibility. You don’t need expensive craft supplies or specialized skills. Most materials are already sitting in your home—construction paper, glue, scissors, and basic household items. This approach makes holiday crafting affordable and spontaneous, perfect for those cozy autumn afternoons when creativity strikes.
Essential Materials for Thanksgiving Coloring Page Crafts
Before starting your crafting journey, gather these basic supplies to ensure smooth project execution:
Core Supplies:
- Completed Thanksgiving coloring pages featuring turkeys, pilgrims, cornucopias, pumpkins, and harvest scenes
- Child-safe scissors and pinking shears for decorative edges
- White craft glue, glue sticks, and a hot glue gun (adult supervision required)
- Construction paper in autumn colors: orange, brown, yellow, red, and green
- Cardboard for structural support
Decorative Elements:
- Pom-poms in seasonal colors
- Wiggle eyes in various sizes
- Pipe cleaners, particularly green and brown
- Craft feathers
- Tissue paper
- Yarn in autumn shades
- Acrylic spray sealant
- Contact paper or laminating sheets
Having these materials organized beforehand transforms crafting time into seamless fun rather than frustrating scavenger hunts through closets.
1. Festive Napkin Holder for Your Holiday Table
Transform your Thanksgiving table setting with personalized napkin holders that showcase your child’s artistic talents. This beginner-friendly project takes approximately fifteen minutes but delivers impressive results that guests will admire.
Start with an inexpensive, clear plastic napkin holder from any discount store. Have your child select and carefully cut out two matching or complementary Thanksgiving images—perhaps a turkey on one side and a cornucopia on the other. The key is choosing images that fit the holder’s dimensions while leaving a small border.
Apply craft glue evenly to the back of each cutout, then press firmly against both sides of the napkin holder, smoothing out any air bubbles. Here’s where the magic happens: embellish the borders with orange and brown pom-poms to create a textured frame that adds dimension. Once dry, apply a light coat of acrylic spray sealant in a well-ventilated area to protect the artwork from spills and fingerprints.
This practical craft teaches children how everyday items become special through personalization. Place these napkin holders at each table setting, and watch as young artists beam with pride when family members compliment their creations.
2. Three-Dimensional Paper Pumpkin Decoration
Create stunning hanging ornaments that capture autumn’s essence using circular paper-folding techniques. For even more autumn crafting inspiration, you can also print and color our collection of pumpkin coloring pages to use alongside these Thanksgiving designs. This intermediate craft produces professional-looking results while developing fine motor skills and spatial reasoning.
Begin by tracing four to six circles onto orange construction paper using a large cup or circular template. For added texture, cut these circles with pinking shears to create charming zigzag edges. Each circle should be folded precisely in half, creating clean creases.
Here’s the assembly secret: apply glue to one half of a folded circle, then press another folded circle against it, aligning the folds perfectly. Continue this process, building a stack of folded circles. When you gently unfurl these connected circles, they form a three-dimensional sphere.
Now incorporate your coloring pages. Cut small Thanksgiving scenes—miniature turkeys, autumn leaves, or harvest elements—and glue one to each section of the pumpkin. This creates a delightful surprise as the ornament slowly rotates. Twist a green pipe cleaner into a curly stem, attach it to the top, and you’ve crafted a charming decoration that rivals anything from specialty boutiques.
Display these pumpkins in windows, doorways, or hang them at varying heights for visual interest.
3. Whimsical Silverware Caddy
Turn recycled soup cans into functional table accessories that bring personality to your Thanksgiving spread. This eco-friendly project demonstrates how ordinary containers become extraordinary through creative decoration.
Thoroughly wash and dry an empty soup can, ensuring no sharp edges remain. Wrap your selected turkey coloring page around the can, measuring carefully to avoid gaps or excessive overlap. Secure with craft glue or double-sided tape, smoothing as you go.
Personality comes through the details. Attach oversized wiggle eyes near the top, add an orange pom-pom for a beak, and draw a cheerful smile with red puffy paint. Cut two turkey feet from orange construction paper—think exaggerated, comical shapes—and glue them to the can’s bottom. For wings, hot glue two craft feathers to the back.
Fill your creation with forks, knives, and spoons, then position it prominently on your Thanksgiving buffet. This project works beautifully as a classroom activity, with each child creating their own unique silverware holder to take home. The recycling angle makes it an excellent conversation starter about sustainability during the holidays.
4. Candy Corn Treat Holders
Combine crafting with sweet surprises by creating cone-shaped treat holders that double as party favors or classroom gifts. This project scales beautifully, making it ideal for group activities.
Cut a bright poster board into large semicircles, then roll each into a cone, securing with staples rather than glue for better structural integrity. Measure and cut sections from your colored Thanksgiving pages to fit the cone’s exterior, adhering them with craft glue to create a colorful patchwork effect.
The filling creates anticipation. Crumple brown-and-orange paper loosely and tuck it into the cone’s opening, creating a festive “overflow” effect for candy corn or other seasonal candies inside. To seal, gather clear plastic wrap over the cone’s wide opening and close it with yellow yarn, and finish with a bow.
These treat holders work wonderfully for Thanksgiving classroom parties, neighbor gifts, or place settings for guests to take home. Children love both making and receiving these sweet crafts, and the clear wrap allows everyone to see the colorful candies inside, building excitement.
5. Elegant Paper Plate Cornucopia
Create a statement wall decoration using the humble paper plate transformed into the classic symbol of abundance. This craft introduces children to the cornucopia’s historical significance while developing artistic skills.
Purchase five sturdy paper plates and spray paint them in rich autumn tones—burnt orange, golden yellow, or bronze. Once dry, cut one plate into a horn-shaped piece that will become the cornucopia’s narrow end. Arrange the remaining plates in an overlapping fan pattern, with each plate partially covering the next, creating depth and dimension.
The leftmost plate should be obvious, representing the cornucopia’s wide opening. Glue the plates together in this arrangement to ensure stability. Select your child’s favorite Thanksgiving coloring page scene—perhaps a bountiful harvest—and carefully glue it to that front plate, positioning it as if spilling from the cornucopia.
Punch a hole at the top, thread autumn-colored yarn through it, and you have a lightweight wall decoration that celebrates abundance. This craft works exceptionally well for community centers, church halls, or school corridors where multiple cornucopias can create an impressive display.
6. Welcome Banner for Doorways and Walls
Transform individual coloring pages into an eye-catching banner that greets visitors with festive charm. This collaborative project works beautifully for classrooms where each student contributes.
Have children trim their completed coloring pages into uniform shapes—acorns, maple leaves, or simple rectangles. Consistency in size creates visual harmony, though slight variations add handmade character. Use a standard hole punch to make holes on both the left and right edges of each piece, spacing them evenly.
Cut large letters spelling “HAPPY THANKSGIVING” from contrasting construction paper. Attach one letter to each colored shape using glue sticks. Here’s a pro tip: alternate between different colored backgrounds and imagery to create rhythm and prevent monotony.
Thread sturdy twine, ribbon, or yarn through the holes to connect pieces into a cohesive banner. Leave extra length at both ends for hanging. This banner becomes a cherished classroom keepsake, with each child identifying their contribution. At home, drape it across mantels, doorways, or stair railings to announce the holiday’s arrival.
The beauty of this project lies in its scalability—make it as long or short as your space requires.
7. Turkey Place Card Holders
Add personality to your dining table with three-dimensional turkey place card holders that help guests find their seats while showcasing children’s artwork. These charming pieces combine function with festivity.
Each child colors and cuts out a turkey from their coloring page, then reinforces it by gluing the cutout onto sturdy cardboard before trimming again. This backing prevents drooping. Add dimension with a construction paper beak and comically large wiggle eyes that create character.
Create vibrant tail feathers by cutting long strips from red, orange, and yellow construction paper. Fold each strip accordion-style, then staple the ends together to create fan-shaped feathers. Arrange and glue these behind the turkey cutout to create a more impressive fan of color.
For stability, clip two wooden clothespins to the turkey’s bottom, positioning them as legs. These allow the turkey to stand independently. Write each guest’s name on a small card and clip it between the clothespin “legs,” or attach name tags to the turkey’s body.
Position these delightful holders at each place setting, and watch as guests snap photos before dinner begins. Children particularly love finding their own turkeys among the flock.
8. Framed Thanksgiving Scene Display
Create gallery-worthy art pieces by framing colored Thanksgiving scenes with handmade borders that add depth and texture. This intermediate craft produces sophisticated results suitable for gifting.
Guide children in cutting ten corn cob shapes from bright yellow construction paper, keeping them uniform in size. Arrange these in a circular pinwheel pattern on a larger backing, gluing each in place. Tuck strips of green tissue paper between each corn cob, allowing them to peek out as realistic husks, adding texture and movement.
Carefully trim a favorite Thanksgiving coloring page into a circle slightly smaller than the corn cob arrangement. Position and glue this central image onto the corn frame, ensuring it’s perfectly centered. The contrast between the textured frame and detailed scene creates visual interest.
Punch a hole at the top, thread colorful yarn through it, and tie a loop for hanging. Display these pieces in entryways, on gallery walls, or give them as gifts to grandparents who cherish grandchildren’s artwork.
This craft teaches essential concepts about framing and presentation, showing children how simple borders can dramatically enhance the perceived value of artwork.
9. Playful Turkey Headbands
Bring laughter to your Thanksgiving gathering with oversized turkey headbands that transform children into giggling gobblers. This craft prioritizes fun over perfection, encouraging silly creativity.
Each child completes two Thanksgiving coloring pages, at least one of which features a prominent turkey. Cut strips of stiff cardboard to fit around each child’s head, adjusting for comfort and securing with tape or staples. Position the turkey cutout at the front center of the headband and glue it securely in place.
Amplify the comedy with enormous wiggle eyes—the bigger, the better. Attach a small red balloon to the turkey’s chin area, representing the iconic wattle. If balloons aren’t available, red tissue paper or felt works wonderfully.
Cut the second coloring page into wide strips, then fold each strip accordion-style. Glue these strips around the back edge of the headband to create a magnificent fan of colorful feathers that bounce with every movement.
Children adore wearing these during Thanksgiving dinner, and the resulting photographs become treasured memories. This craft works brilliantly for Thanksgiving parties, school celebrations, or family gatherings where laughter matters more than formality.
10. Woven Placemat Masterpiece
Transform accumulated coloring pages into functional art with basic weaving techniques to create sophisticated placemats. This advanced craft teaches patience and pattern recognition while utilizing multiple finished pages.
Cut numerous completed coloring pages into strips of equal width—approximately one inch works well. Arrange horizontal strips on your work surface, then weave vertical strips through them using the simple over-under pattern. Don’t worry about creating perfect squares; organic, slightly irregular shapes possess handmade charm.
Once you’ve achieved the desired dimensions, carefully glue all intersections to prevent unraveling. Mount this woven creation onto brown construction paper backing, leaving a border. Cut decorative fringe along the left and right edges to create a traditional woven textile appearance.
Select a particularly striking image from another coloring page and glue it prominently in the center of the placemat to create a focal point. Seal the entire surface with contact paper or laminating sheets to protect it from inevitable holiday spills.
These placemats become family heirlooms, pulled out year after year as children grow. Consider dating them on the back to track your family’s creative journey through Thanksgivings past.
Tips for Successful Thanksgiving Coloring Sheet Crafts
Maximize your crafting success and minimize frustration by implementing these practical strategies gathered from experienced crafters and educators.
Preparation Makes Perfect: Set up your crafting space before announcing the activity. Cover tables with newspaper or plastic tablecloths, organize supplies in labeled containers, and have wet wipes ready for inevitable sticky fingers. This preparation prevents chaos and keeps focus on creativity.
Age-Appropriate Adaptations: Adjust projects based on children’s developmental stages. Younger children need pre-cut pieces and more straightforward assembly, while older kids appreciate challenges like intricate cutting or complex construction. Don’t hesitate to modify these projects to match your child’s abilities.
Quality Materials Matter: While budget-friendly options work well, investing in good scissors, reliable glue, and vibrant construction paper helps prevent mid-project frustration. Dull scissors create ragged edges and discourage young crafters, while weak glue leads to disappointing structural failures.
Embrace Imperfection: The most memorable crafts rarely look perfect. Encourage creativity over precision, praising effort and imagination rather than technical execution. Those slightly crooked turkeys and lopsided cornucopias carry more love than store-bought perfection.
Document the Process: Photograph children working on these projects, capturing their concentration, faces, and proud moments. Years later, these process photos become as valuable as the finished crafts themselves.
Preserving and Displaying Your Thanksgiving Crafts
Extend the life and impact of these handmade treasures through proper preservation and thoughtful display strategies.
Protective Finishing: Apply clear acrylic sealant spray to paper crafts you plan to reuse annually. This protective layer resists moisture, fingerprints, and fading, transforming delicate paper into durable decoration. Always seal in well-ventilated areas, following product instructions carefully. These preservation methods work equally well for animal-themed projects, such as hamster coloring page crafts, or for any seasonal artwork your children create.
Strategic Storage: Store flat items between acid-free tissue paper in labeled boxes, organizing by year. Three-dimensional pieces need individual wrapping to prevent crushing. Consider photographing each craft before storing it to create a catalog that helps you remember what you own.
Rotating Displays: Avoid overwhelming spaces by rotating crafts throughout November. Display different pieces weekly to maintain freshness and give each creation its moment. This approach also prevents children from feeling their work goes unnoticed among too many competing pieces.
Beyond Thanksgiving: Many of these crafts adapt beautifully to autumn themes generally. Remove the Thanksgiving-specific elements, and suddenly your decorations work from September through November, maximizing your investment of effort.
Building Thanksgiving Traditions Through Creative Crafts
These ten craft projects transform simple coloring pages into meaningful holiday traditions that families anticipate annually. The real magic isn’t just in the finished turkeys or woven placemats—it’s in the conversations, laughter, and memories created during the crafting process itself.
Start with one or two projects this year, then gradually expand your repertoire as children grow and skills develop. Keep a special box for Thanksgiving craft supplies, adding to it throughout the year when you spot seasonal items on sale. This preparation transforms crafting from a stressful scramble into a joyful ritual.
Consider establishing a Thanksgiving crafting day as your family’s tradition, perhaps the weekend before the holiday. Play festive music, prepare simple snacks, and dedicate several hours to creating together. These intentional moments of creativity and connection become the stories your children will share with their own families someday.
The beauty of these projects lies in their dual purpose: they’re both process and product, journey and destination. While you’re gluing pom-poms and cutting construction paper, you’re actually building family bonds, teaching problem-solving, and creating tangible evidence of childhood that you’ll treasure long after the last slice of pumpkin pie disappears. Once your family masters these Thanksgiving crafts, expand your creative repertoire throughout the year with character-based projects using Harry Potter coloring pages or other themed collections.
Your Thanksgiving table might groan under platters of turkey and bowls of stuffing. Still, it’s these handmade napkin holders, quirky silverware caddies, and lovingly crafted place card holders that transform a meal into a celebration of family, creativity, and gratitude.
