Finding the perfect Thanksgiving craft can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. You want something fun and meaningful, but every idea seems either too complicated for the kids or too simple for the adults. 🦃
I used to wonder, how can I find a placemat idea that works for everyone at my table? I needed projects that could be done quickly with toddlers or more detailed designs for a sophisticated look, all in one place.
That’s why I created this list! 🍁 Here you’ll find 12 unique DIY Thanksgiving placemats, perfectly curated for every skill level and style. Get ready to create a beautiful, personalized table that’s filled with love and gratitude! ✨
🛒 My Must-Have Placemat Supplies
Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheets
Heavyweight Cardstock
Fall-Colored Felt Sheets
Fabric Markers
Clear Contact Paper
✨ Click each item to explore affordable options for your Thanksgiving setup!
My Top 3 Favorite Crafts
- Easiest to Make: The Ultimate Printable Activity Placemat
- Most Unique Idea: The “I Am Thankful For…” Chalkboard Placemat
- Biggest ‘Wow’ Factor: No-Sew Burlap & Stencil Placemat
1. The Ultimate Printable Activity Placemat 🦃
This is my go-to solution for keeping the little ones happy and occupied while the adults are finishing up dinner. It’s a lifesaver! Just print it out, and you have instant entertainment with coloring sections and fun games.
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 5 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Fine Motor Skills, Problem Solving
🎯 Best For: A quick and easy activity to keep toddlers busy at the kids’ table.
Image-1: A brightly lit photo of a Thanksgiving-themed printable placemat with a turkey to color, a word search, and a small box of crayons next to it on a wooden table.
2. Laminated Fall Leaf Collage Placemat 🦃
I absolutely adore this craft because it gets the whole family outdoors. We make it a tradition to go on a “leaf hunt” the weekend before Thanksgiving. Sealing the beautiful leaves makes a keepsake that captures the magic of the season perfectly.
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 20 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Nature Appreciation, Composition
🎯 Best For: A beautiful nature craft that creates a durable, reusable placemat.
Image-2: A child’s hands carefully placing vibrant red, yellow, and orange fall leaves onto a piece of white cardstock, with a roll of clear contact paper nearby.
3. The “I Am Thankful For…” Chalkboard Placemat 🦃
This placemat is such a wonderful way to spark meaningful conversations at the dinner table. Watching everyone, from my youngest nephew to my grandpa, write down what they’re grateful for is truly heartwarming. It transforms a simple place setting into a beautiful expression of thanks.
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 15 mins (plus dry time) | Mess Level: Medium | Learning Focus: Gratitude, Self-Expression
🎯 Best For: An interactive and meaningful activity for guests of all ages.
Image-3: A close-up of a black chalkboard placemat with “I am thankful for family” written in white chalk, with a small piece of chalk and an eraser beside it.
4. Woven Paper Harvest Placemat 🦃
I love the classic, cozy look of this woven placemat. It reminds me of a little harvest basket! It’s a fantastic project for school-aged kids to practice their fine motor skills, and the final result looks so impressive on the table.
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Medium | Active Time: 30 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Fine Motor Skills, Pattern Recognition
🎯 Best For: A quiet-time craft for kids that results in a lovely, textured decoration.
Image-4: An overhead shot of a half-finished woven paper placemat, showing strips of orange, yellow, and brown construction paper being interlaced.
5. Potato Stamp Turkey Placemat 🦃
Get ready for some giggles with this one! There’s something so fun and satisfying about stamping with a potato. This is a wonderfully messy and creative project that lets kids get their hands dirty and create the cutest little flock of turkeys for your table.
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Medium | Active Time: 25 mins | Mess Level: High | Learning Focus: Creativity, Shapes
🎯 Best For: A fun, sensory craft experience for toddlers and preschoolers.
Image-5: A close-up of a child’s hand pressing a paint-covered potato half onto a white canvas placemat, with the brown turkey body already stamped.
💬 Quick Question!
Of the crafts we’ve covered so far, which one are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below!
6. Photo Collage Keepsake Placemat 🦃
This project holds a special place in my heart. I make one for my parents every year, and they absolutely cherish it. It’s more than just a placemat; it’s a collection of precious memories that makes the Thanksgiving table feel so personal and full of love.
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Medium | Active Time: 40 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Storytelling, Family History
🎯 Best For: A heartfelt and personalized gift for grandparents or loved ones.
Image-6: A finished placemat featuring a collage of smiling family photos, sealed in laminate, with a festive Thanksgiving border.
7. No-Sew Burlap & Stencil Placemat 🦃
If you’re aiming for that beautiful, rustic farmhouse look, this is the placemat for you! It’s unbelievably easy to make, but the stenciled words like “Grateful” add a touch of elegance that looks store-bought. It’s my secret weapon for a sophisticated table setting without any fuss.
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 20 mins | Mess Level: Medium | Learning Focus: Stenciling Technique
🎯 Best For: Creating an elegant, farmhouse-style table setting for adults.
Image-7: A hand holding a stencil that says “Harvest” over a piece of burlap, with a foam pouncer dabbed in white paint ready to apply it.
8. Hand-Drawn Designs on Canvas Placemat 🦃
For the artistic souls in your family, this is the perfect project to let their creativity shine. I love setting out plain canvas placemats and fabric markers for my teenage nieces. They always come up with the most beautiful, intricate designs that truly elevate the table decor.
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Medium | Active Time: 45+ mins | Mess Level: Medium | Learning Focus: Drawing, Detailed Design
🎯 Best For: An artistic project for tweens, teens, and adults who love to draw.
Image-8: A person’s hand using a brown fabric marker to draw delicate autumn leaves and vines on the corner of a plain canvas placemat.
9. Simple Felt Scalloped-Edge Placemat 🦃
Sometimes, simple is the most beautiful. This is a wonderfully quick craft that adds a soft texture and a pop of fall color to your table. The scalloped edge gives it a sweet, polished look without any sewing or gluing required!
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Active time: 10 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Scissor Skills, Precision
🎯 Best For: A minimalist and modern look that can be made in minutes.
Image-9: A pair of scalloped-edge scissors cutting through a sheet of rust-orange colored felt, with the finished placemat shape visible.
10. Polka Dot Stamped Cork Placemat 🦃
I love this chic and modern DIY! It’s such a clever way to use a wine cork to create a perfectly uniform pattern. Using metallic paint gives the simple cork placemat a touch of glam that is perfect for a stylish Thanksgiving dinner.
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 15 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Pattern Creation
🎯 Best For: A simple and chic DIY for a modern adult table setting.
Image-10: The end of a wine cork being dipped into a small puddle of gold metallic paint, with a cork placemat in the background already partially covered in a neat polka dot pattern.
11. Hand-Lettered Gratitude Word Placemat 🦃
If you enjoy hand-lettering, this is a beautiful way to incorporate your talent into your Thanksgiving decor. I find the process of carefully writing words like “Thankful,” “Family,” and “Blessings” to be a meditative and wonderful way to reflect on the meaning of the holiday.
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Advanced | Active Time: 1 hour | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Hand-Lettering, Layout
🎯 Best For: A sophisticated project for those who practice calligraphy or hand-lettering.
Image-11: A close-up of a hand using a black fabric marker to write the word “Grateful” in elegant script across a simple white cotton placemat.
12. Fringed No-Sew Flannel Placemat 🦃
Nothing says “cozy” quite like flannel! This project is surprisingly simple, and the soft, fringed edge gives it such a warm and inviting feel. I love using a classic autumn plaid to make the whole table feel like a warm hug.
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Medium | Active Time: 30 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Fabric Manipulation
🎯 Best For: Adding a cozy, warm, and rustic touch to your table decor.
Image-12: A close-up of hands gently pulling threads from the edge of a plaid flannel fabric square to create a soft fringe.
🍂 Putting the Finishing Touch on Your Table
Whether you chose a 5-minute printable to delight the kids or an elegant burlap design for your formal table, you’ve added a personal touch that makes the meal feel even more special. Creating something with your hands is one of the best ways to show love and gratitude, and these placemats are the perfect canvas for that spirit. I hope these ideas help make your Thanksgiving gathering cozy, creative, and full of joy!
Which of these DIY placemat ideas is your favorite for your Thanksgiving table this year? Share your choice in the comments below
