Trying to find a simple, screen-free activity to keep your little ones happily occupied this Thanksgiving can feel like a challenge. 🍂 You want something that’s fun, festive, and more meaningful than just another cartoon.
You’ve probably wondered, “Where can I find a quality craft that’s not a huge mess and won’t take me hours to set up?” It’s hard to find activities that are truly educational and easy.
Well, I have the perfect solution for you! I’ve put together a complete Print-and-Go Thanksgiving Lacing Kit. These free printable cards are a wonderful way to build fine motor skills and enjoy some quiet, creative time together. 🧵 Let’s get crafting!
🛒 My Must-Have Lacing Card Supplies
Bright White Cardstock
Colorful Yarn Pack
Kid-Safe Plastic Needles
Single Hole Punch
Self-Laminating Sheets
✨ Click each item to explore affordable options for your Thanksgiving setup!
My Top 3 Favorite Crafts
Before we dive into the full list, here are my personal favorites from this collection:
- Easiest to Make: The Sweet Apple Lacing Card. It’s absolutely perfect for the littlest hands and a wonderful introduction to the fun of “sewing.”
- Most Unique Idea: The Harvest Corn Lacing Card. I just love how you can use yellow yarn to make it look like real corn kernels!
- Biggest ‘Wow’ Factor: The Simple Sunflower Lacing Card. The petal design creates such a beautiful and engaging pattern that looks amazing when it’s all finished.
1. The Friendly Turkey Lacing Card 🦃
I believe every Thanksgiving craft session needs a happy turkey, and this one is the star of the show! Our template features large, easy-to-punch holes around its colorful feathers, which makes it perfect for little hands that are just getting started with lacing. It’s a classic for a reason and a staple in my family’s craft box.
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 10-15 mins | Mess Level: Very Low | Learning Focus: Hand-Eye Coordination, Pincer Grasp
🎯 Best For: Beginners who are learning the basic in-and-out motion of lacing.
Image-1: A close-up shot of a child’s hands threading bright orange yarn through the turkey lacing card.
2. The Plump Pumpkin Lacing Card 🦃
Nothing says autumn quite like a cheerful pumpkin! This simple printable captures that crisp, cozy feeling perfectly. The round shape creates a smooth, continuous path for the yarn, which really helps kids practice a steady sewing rhythm without any tricky corners.
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 10 mins | Mess Level: Very Low | Learning Focus: Fine Motor Control, Pattern Recognition
🎯 Best For: Practicing a consistent and rhythmic lacing motion.
Image-2: A finished pumpkin lacing card with orange yarn, resting next to a real mini pumpkin on a wooden table.
3. The Falling Autumn Leaf Lacing Card 🦃
This beautiful maple leaf is one of my favorites for encouraging a little focus. The holes along its distinct points offer a fun, gentle challenge that helps kids concentrate on where the yarn needs to go next. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to chat about the seasons changing colors outside.
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy to Medium | Active Time: 10-15 mins | Mess Level: Very Low | Learning Focus: Dexterity, Concentration
🎯 Best For: Kids who are ready to practice lacing around simple points and corners.
Image-3: Three finished leaf lacing cards—one red, one yellow, and one orange—hanging in a window with sunlight shining through them.
4. The Sweet Apple Lacing Card 🦃
After a trip to the apple orchard, my kids always want to make apple crafts! This sweet and simple shape is fantastic for toddlers and younger kindergarteners. Its smooth, curved edges make it an excellent and frustration-free introduction to the world of threading and sewing.
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Very Easy | Active Time: 5-10 mins | Mess Level: Very Low | Learning Focus: Introduction to Threading, Shape Recognition
🎯 Best For: A toddler’s very first “sewing” project.
Image-4: A proud toddler holding up their completed apple lacing card, which has been laced with bright red yarn.
5. The Harvest Corn Lacing Card 🦃
I just love this harvest corn template because its long, straight sides are so good for practicing bigger, more consistent stitches. My kids have the best time using bright yellow yarn to lace it up, making it look just like real kernels of corn. It’s a simple idea that brings so much joy!
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Easy | Active Time: 10 mins | Mess Level: Very Low | Learning Focus: Consistent Hand Motion, Patience
🎯 Best For: Developing patience and practicing longer, even stitches.
Image-5: A child’s hands carefully pulling a long strand of yellow yarn through the side of the corn lacing card.
💬 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. The Cozy Acorn Lacing Card 🦃
This little acorn is such a cute and cozy craft for a fall afternoon. Because it has a distinct “cap” and “nut,” it allows kids to practice lacing a smaller, more detailed shape. This really helps them learn how to guide the yarn around tighter curves and corners with more precision.
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Medium | Active Time: 15 mins | Mess Level: Very Low | Learning Focus: Precision, Problem-Solving
🎯 Best For: Refining motor skills by navigating smaller curves and corners.
Image-6: A close-up view focusing on the “cap” of the acorn card being laced with dark brown yarn.
7. The Simple Sunflower Lacing Card 🦃
Let’s add a little sunshine to our Thanksgiving crafts! This cheerful sunflower is probably the most engaging design in the set. The petals create a wonderful in-and-out pattern that provides a satisfying challenge for kids who have already mastered the simpler shapes. The finished result is always so bright and beautiful!
Craft Snapshot: Difficulty: Medium | Active Time: 15-20 mins | Mess Level: Very Low | Learning Focus: Complex Pattern Following, Advanced Dexterity
🎯 Best For: Confident lacers who are ready for a more intricate and rewarding pattern.
Image-7: A completed sunflower lacing card, laced with bright yellow yarn, displayed on a windowsill next to a small plant.
🍂 Wrapping Up Our Crafty Fun
Aren’t these designs just the sweetest? More than just a simple craft, these lacing cards are a fantastic tool for building confidence, developing crucial pre-writing skills, and creating quiet moments of holiday fun. I hope these printables bring a little extra warmth and creativity to your home this Thanksgiving season as you gather with the ones you love.
Which Thanksgiving design is your little one most excited to “sew”? Let me know in the comments below
