Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year when families come together to express gratitude and celebrate the abundance in their lives.
Crafting during Thanksgiving not only brings joy to little ones but also allows them to explore their imagination while learning about the traditions and values associated with this special holiday.
Lets explore some amazing crafts for Thanksgiving for preschoolers, ensuring that they have a memorable and enjoyable experience.
DIY Ice Cream Cone Garland:
Nothing says summer like ice cream! Gather some colorful construction paper, scissors, and string to create a delightful ice cream cone garland. Cut out ice cream cone shapes from the construction paper and let your child’s imagination run wild as they decorate each cone with different flavors, sprinkles, and toppings. Then, string the cones together to create a vibrant garland that can be hung indoors or outdoors for a sweet summer touch.
Nature Collage Art:
Take advantage of the beautiful outdoors by going on a nature walk with your little ones. Encourage them to collect leaves, flowers, twigs, and other interesting natural materials. Once back home, provide them with a large sheet of paper and glue. Let their creativity shine as they arrange and glue their nature finds onto the paper to create a unique nature collage artwork. This activity not only stimulates their creativity but also fosters a connection with the natural world.
Related: 20 Fun Party Games for 3 Year Olds (Indoors)
DIY Seashell Wind Chimes:
If you’re lucky enough to visit the beach during the summer, collecting seashells can be an exciting adventure for kids. Use those collected seashells to make a charming wind chime. Gather seashells of various shapes and sizes, along with some colorful beads and string. Help your child thread the shells and beads onto the string, creating a beautiful arrangement. Hang the wind chime in your garden or near a window where the gentle summer breeze can bring music to your ears.
Watercolor Sun Catchers:
Bring the vibrant colors of summer indoors by creating watercolor sun catchers. Cut out various shapes from thick, transparent plastic sheets or use old CD cases. Allow your child to experiment with watercolors, painting bold and bright designs on the plastic surface. Once dry, attach string to the top of each shape and hang them in a sunny window. Watch as the sunlight filters through, casting a magical rainbow of colors into the room.
DIY Fruit Popsicles:
Beat the summer heat with a refreshing and healthy treat! Engage your child’s culinary skills by making homemade fruit popsicles. Let them choose their favorite fruits, such as berries, melons, or citrus, and help them blend the fruits into a smooth puree. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds or small paper cups, insert popsicle sticks, and freeze until solid. These icy delights will not only keep the kids cool but also provide a delicious and nutritious snack for those hot summer afternoons.
Related: 20 Fun Clapping Games for Preschoolers
Nature-inspired Rock Painting:
Take a nature walk with your kids and collect smooth rocks of various sizes and shapes. Back home, provide them with acrylic paints and brushes. Encourage them to transform the rocks into adorable ladybugs, cute animals, or vibrant patterns. Once the paint dries, they can use their painted rocks to decorate the garden or create a fun rock family on a windowsill.
Paper Plate Frisbees:
Transform simple paper plates into mini frisbees that guarantee hours of outdoor fun. Grab a few paper plates and have your child decorate them with markers or paint. Once the decorations are complete, take the frisbees outside and have a friendly competition of tossing and catching. This activity not only promotes hand-eye coordination but also encourages active play in the summer sunshine.
Ocean in a Bottle:
Create a mesmerizing ocean-themed sensory bottle that captures the essence of the sea. Fill a clear plastic bottle with water, leaving a little space at the top. Add a few drops of blue food coloring and glitter to mimic the shimmering waves. Encourage your child to add small sea creature figurines or shells. Secure the cap tightly and let them shake the bottle, watching the glitter swirl and the ocean come to life in their hands.
Related: 20 Alphabet Games for Preschoolers
DIY Fruit Stamp Art:
Turn fresh fruits like apples, oranges, and lemons into colorful stamps for a fun and easy art project. Cut the fruits in half and let your child dip the cut side into washable paint. They can then stamp the fruits onto paper, creating unique patterns and designs. This activity not only allows them to explore different textures and colors but also introduces them to the world of printmaking.
DIY Bubble Wands:
Bubbles never fail to bring joy to children of all ages. Help your child create their own personalized bubble wands. Bend and shape wire coat hangers into various designs like hearts, stars, or circles. Let your child decorate the wireframes with colorful ribbons or pipe cleaners. Once completed, mix up a bubble solution using dish soap and water, and watch as their handmade bubble wands create a mesmerizing stream of floating bubbles.
DIY Tie-Dye T-shirts:
Give plain white t-shirts a vibrant and personalized twist with DIY tie-dye techniques. Set up an outdoor workspace and provide your child with a white t-shirt, fabric dyes in various colors, rubber bands, and plastic gloves. Let them experiment with different folding, twisting, or scrunching techniques to create unique patterns on their shirts. Once the dye is applied, let the shirts sit for the recommended time, rinse them out, and enjoy the colorful wearable creations.
Paper Plate Sunflowers:
Bring the sunshine indoors with a delightful paper plate sunflower craft. Cut out the center of a paper plate and provide your child with yellow paint and a paintbrush. Let them paint the plate in vibrant yellow hues. Once dry, help them cut out large petal shapes from yellow construction paper and glue them around the plate’s rim. Add a brown construction paper circle for the center and watch their sunflower come to life. Hang it on the wall or use it as a cheerful centerpiece.
Outdoor Nature Scavenger Hunt:
Create a nature-themed scavenger hunt for your kids to explore the great outdoors. Make a list of items they can find, such as a smooth rock, a feather, a dandelion, or a pinecone. Equip them with a small bag or basket and let them embark on a treasure hunt, searching for each item on the list. Encourage observation skills and engage them in discussions about the natural world as they collect their treasures.
DIY Watercolor Ice Art:
Beat the heat while creating beautiful watercolor masterpieces. Fill ice cube trays with water and add a few drops of liquid watercolors to each compartment. Insert popsicle sticks or toothpicks into each cube and freeze them. Once frozen, take the colorful ice cubes outside and let your child use them to paint on thick paper or canvas. As the ice melts, the colors will blend and create stunning watercolor effects.
DIY Bird Feeders:
Help your child attract feathered friends to your backyard with homemade bird feeders. Spread peanut butter or honey on pinecones or toilet paper rolls, then roll them in birdseed. Attach a string or pipe cleaner to hang the feeder from a tree branch. Your child will have a blast making the feeders and watching as birds flock to enjoy their treats.
DIY Sand Art Bottles:
Capture the essence of summer and the beach by creating beautiful sand art bottles. Gather small, clear bottles with lids, colorful sand in various shades, and a funnel. Encourage your child to layer the sand in different patterns and colors inside the bottles, creating unique designs. Once they’re satisfied with their sand art, seal the bottles with the lids and display them as delightful summer keepsakes or decorative pieces.
Nature Bracelets:
Transform ordinary duct tape into fun nature bracelets that your child can wear while exploring the outdoors. Cut a strip of duct tape long enough to wrap around their wrist comfortably, sticky side out. Encourage them to collect small flowers, leaves, or other lightweight natural materials and press them onto the sticky surface of the tape. Once they’ve adorned the bracelet with their nature finds, wrap it around their wrist and let them proudly show off their wearable nature collection.
DIY Sponge Water Bombs:
Stay cool and have a splash-filled time with homemade sponge water bombs. Cut colorful sponges into strips and stack them together, securing them with rubber bands. Dip the sponge bombs in a bucket of water and let the water-filled fun begin! These reusable water bombs are a safe and enjoyable alternative to water balloons, providing hours of excitement on hot summer days.
Outdoor Art Easel:
Create a dedicated outdoor art space for your child by making an outdoor art easel. Attach a large, sturdy piece of plywood or canvas to a wooden easel or prop it up against a wall. Set up a tray of washable paints, brushes, and an assortment of outdoor-safe art supplies. Encourage your child to let their imagination soar as they paint vibrant summer scenes and abstract designs, or create their own masterpieces in the fresh air.
DIY Mini Terrariums:
Introduce your child to the wonders of gardening and nature with DIY mini terrariums. Fill small glass jars or containers with layers of rocks, soil, and moss. Let your child select and carefully plant tiny succulents or small indoor plants into the terrariums. They can also add small decorative elements like pebbles, figurines, or tiny fairy lights. These mini terrariums make charming indoor or outdoor decorations and provide a great opportunity for children to learn about plant care and responsibility.
