Tired of endlessly searching for Thanksgiving activities for your kids, only to find low-quality clip art? 😫
I used to ask myself, “Where can I find beautiful, engaging, and actually free printables without clicking through a dozen sites?” It felt like a holiday chore I just didn’t have time for.
Well, I’ve done all the digging for you! I’ve gathered my absolute favorite, high-quality printables in one place to make your holiday prep easy, fun, and full of creative joy. ✨
🛒 My Must-Have Printable Supplies
Good Quality Cardstock
Crayola Crayons 64-Count
Washable Markers
Kid-Safe Scissors
Glue Sticks
✨ Click each item to explore affordable options for your Thanksgiving setup!
My Top 3 Favorite Crafts
- Easiest to Make: The “Happy Thanksgiving” Scene Coloring Sheet is a classic for a reason! It’s the perfect, no-fuss activity that instantly brings the festive spirit to your table.
- Most Unique Idea: I absolutely adore the 3D Stand-Up Paper Turkey Printable. It’s more than just a craft; it becomes a charming decoration that kids can proudly display.
- Biggest ‘Wow’ Factor: The Printable Gratitude Tree Leaves create such a beautiful and meaningful family activity. It transforms into a wonderful centerpiece that’s all about what the holiday truly means.
1. Detailed Turkey Mandala Coloring Page 🦃
I just love this one for a moment of quiet calm amidst the holiday buzz. It’s so beautifully designed that even I enjoy coloring it alongside my older kids. The intricate patterns are fantastic for focusing the mind.
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Medium | Active Time: 20-30 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Fine Motor Skills, Concentration]
🎯 Best For: A calming activity for older kids and adults who love to color.
Image-1: A close-up shot of the turkey mandala coloring page, partially colored with rich, autumnal gel pens or colored pencils, showing the detailed patterns.
2. “Happy Thanksgiving” Scene Coloring Sheet 🦃
This is my go-to printable when I need a quick and easy activity for the little ones. It has all the classic Thanksgiving elements, and its simple lines are perfect for crayons or markers. It’s pure, simple, festive fun!
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 10-15 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Creativity, Holiday Recognition]
🎯 Best For: Entertaining toddlers and preschoolers while you cook.
Image-2: A brightly colored-in version of the “Happy Thanksgiving” scene, done in crayon by a child, sitting next to a small bowl of crayons.
3. Cornucopia (Horn of Plenty) Coloring Page 🦃
I think it’s so important to teach our kids about the symbols of the holiday. This cornucopia page is a great conversation starter about abundance and gratitude while they have fun coloring all the different fruits and veggies.
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 15 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Color Recognition, Harvest Themes]
🎯 Best For: A simple activity that also serves as a gentle teaching moment.
Image-3: The cornucopia coloring page, filled in with vibrant colors, with a few real mini pumpkins placed beside it.
4. Color-by-Number Turkey Printable 🦃
My kids have always loved the magic of color-by-number pages! This one is a family favorite because it combines number practice with creativity. Watching the turkey’s colorful feathers appear is so rewarding for them.
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 15 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Number Recognition, Following Instructions]
🎯 Best For: Reinforcing numbers and colors in a fun, holiday-themed way.
Image-4: A half-finished color-by-number turkey, showing the key at the bottom and some sections correctly filled in.
5. All-in-One Activity Placemat 🦃
This printable is a lifesaver for keeping the kids’ table happy and occupied! I print one for each child to keep them busy before the food is served. It has a little something for everyone, from mazes to coloring spots.
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 5-20 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Problem Solving, Literacy]
🎯 Best For: The ultimate kids’ table entertainment while waiting for dinner.
Image-5: A styled shot of a kids’ place setting with the activity placemat, a cup of crayons, and a festive plate.
💬 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. Thanksgiving I Spy Printable Game 🦃
This “I Spy” sheet is such a fantastic quiet-time activity. We love to do it together and see who can find and count all the little turkeys and pumpkin pies the fastest. It’s surprisingly engaging for a wide range of ages.
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 10 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Counting, Observation Skills]
🎯 Best For: A quick, quiet game that sharpens observation and counting skills.
Image-6: A child’s hand pointing to an object on the “I Spy” printable, with a pencil circling the counted items.
7. Thanksgiving Word Search 🦃
You can never go wrong with a classic word search! I find this is a great activity for my elementary-aged kids to work on while the turkey is in the oven. It keeps their minds sharp and builds their vocabulary in a fun way.
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Easy-Medium | Active Time: 10-15 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Spelling, Vocabulary]
🎯 Best For: School-aged kids who enjoy a good puzzle.
Image-7: The Thanksgiving word search with several words like “FEAST” and “GRATEFUL” highlighted in yellow.
8. Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt Printable Checklist 🦃
When the kids get a little antsy, this printable scavenger hunt is my secret weapon. It gets them up and moving around the house in a purposeful way. It’s so fun to see them race to find a red leaf or something they’re thankful for.
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 20 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Reading, Observation Skills, Gross Motor Skills]
🎯 Best For: Getting the wiggles out and encouraging active fun.
Image-8: A child holding the scavenger hunt checklist and proudly showing off an item they found, like a small pumpkin.
9. “Roll a Turkey” Dice Game Printable 🦃
This is one of our all-time favorite Thanksgiving games! It’s so simple—just a printable, a die, and some crayons—but it creates so much laughter. The anticipation of what you’ll get to draw next makes it exciting every time.
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 10-20 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Number Recognition, Taking Turns]
🎯 Best For: A simple, interactive game for the whole family to play together.
Image-9: Two “Roll a Turkey” game sheets side-by-side, one almost complete and one just started, with a single die between them.
10. Printable Turkey Headband Craft 🦃
What’s cuter than a kid in a homemade turkey headband? This craft is always a huge hit. They love coloring and assembling their own festive crowns and wearing them proudly to the dinner table. It makes for the best photos!
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 20 mins | Mess Level: Low-Medium | Learning Focus: Cutting Skills, Following Directions]
🎯 Best For: A wearable craft that adds a dose of fun to your celebration.
Image-10: A happy child wearing the finished, colorful turkey headband they made.
11. “Build a Turkey” Cut-and-Paste Craft 🦃
I love this printable because it gives kids so much creative freedom. They get to be the artist, deciding exactly where the feathers, beak, and silly googly eyes should go. It’s a wonderful activity for practicing those scissor skills.
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 15 mins | Mess Level: Medium | Learning Focus: Fine Motor Skills, Parts of a Whole]
🎯 Best For: A creative, hands-on activity for preschoolers and kindergarteners.
Image-11: A finished “Build a Turkey” craft glued onto a piece of construction paper, with some cut-out scraps and a glue stick nearby.
12. 3D Stand-Up Paper Turkey Printable 🦃
This craft is pure magic! It’s amazing how a flat piece of paper can turn into a decoration that actually stands up. My kids feel like little engineers when they assemble this, and they’re so proud to see their creation on display.
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Medium | Active Time: 25 mins | Mess Level: Medium | Learning Focus: Spatial Reasoning, Fine Motor Skills]
🎯 Best For: A craft that doubles as a festive table decoration.
Image-12: The finished 3D paper turkey standing on a mantelpiece next to some autumn leaves.
13. Printable Thanksgiving Cootie Catcher 🦃
I remember making these as a kid, and it’s a joy to share that with my own children. This Thanksgiving version is filled with fun questions and prompts that get everyone talking and laughing. It’s a wonderful little icebreaker for the kids’ table.
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Easy-Medium | Active Time: 15 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Following Folding Instructions, Social Interaction]
🎯 Best For: A nostalgic, interactive game that sparks conversation.
Image-13: A person’s hands holding and playing with the finished Thanksgiving cootie catcher.
14. Printable Thanksgiving BINGO Cards 🦃
BINGO is the perfect game to bring everyone together, from the youngest cousin to Grandma. These printable cards are so festive, with pictures instead of numbers so even non-readers can play. We use candy corn as markers, which is always a treat!
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 15-30 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Image Recognition, Group Play]
🎯 Best For: A fun game for a multi-generational group to play together.
Image-14: A Thanksgiving BINGO card with several spaces covered by candy corn, with a bowl of candy corn next to it.
15. “I Am Thankful For…” Writing Prompt Sheet 🦃
This printable is the heart of Thanksgiving for me. It provides a simple, beautiful space for kids to pause and reflect on their blessings. Reading what they write or draw is always the most heartwarming part of my day.
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Easy | Active time: 10 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Gratitude, Writing/Drawing Skills]
🎯 Best For: Focusing on the true meaning of the holiday and creating a treasured keepsake.
Image-15: A child’s “I Am Thankful For…” sheet filled out with a mix of sweet, handwritten words and drawings.
16. Printable Gratitude Tree Leaves 🦃
Every year, we create a gratitude tree, and these printable leaves make it so easy and beautiful. We set them out with some pens, and throughout the day, family members add what they’re thankful for. It becomes a stunning and meaningful piece of decor.
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 15 mins | Mess Level: Low-Medium | Learning Focus: Gratitude, Family Activity]
🎯 Best For: Creating a collaborative and beautiful display of thankfulness.
Image-16: A collection of the paper leaves taped to a wall in the shape of a tree, each with different handwriting on it.
17. Thankful Turkey Craft Printable 🦃
This is such a clever and visual way to practice gratitude! Each feather represents something to be thankful for. As the kids glue on the feathers, they see their turkey—and their list of blessings—become more full and beautiful.
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 20 mins | Mess Level: Medium | Learning Focus: Gratitude, Fine Motor Skills]
🎯 Best For: A hands-on craft that visually represents all the things we’re thankful for.
Image-17: The completed Thankful Turkey craft, with colorful feathers fanned out, each containing a handwritten note of gratitude.
18. Printable Thank You Cards for Kids to Color 🦃
I love activities that teach gratitude in action. These printable cards are perfect for that. The kids can color them and then write a little note to a family member or friend to say thank you, making someone’s day a little brighter.
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 15 mins | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Writing, Social-Emotional Learning]
🎯 Best For: Encouraging kids to express their gratitude to others.
Image-18: A child coloring one of the printable thank you cards, with the foldable card design visible.
19. Printable Thanksgiving Place Cards 🦃
Letting the kids help with the table setup makes them feel so important and included. These printable place cards are a perfect job for them. They can practice their best handwriting while adding a personal, colorful touch to the dinner table.
Craft Snapshot: [Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 5 mins per card | Mess Level: Low | Learning Focus: Handwriting, Contribution to Family Meal]
🎯 Best For: A simple way to get kids involved in the holiday preparations.
Image-19: A finished, colored place card with a name written on it, sitting perfectly at a festive Thanksgiving place setting.
🍂 Wrapping Up Our Printable Fun
The best part of Thanksgiving is creating those warm, joyful memories together. These printables are such a simple, screen-free way to spark creativity, conversation, and a true spirit of gratitude with your little ones. I hope this curated list saves you time and helps you fill your home with laughter and love this holiday season. It’s the little moments of creating together that we cherish the most.
Which of these free printables is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below
