Family crafting ideas to express gratitude this Thanksgiving

One of the greatest lessons kiddos can learn is how to be thankful for what they have, but it can be a hard lesson to teach and a hard concept to grasp. Try out one, or all, of these four Thanksgiving craft ideas that focus on gratitude to start a discussion with the whole family on thankfulness and gratitude during this holiday season.  

Thankful Tree

Materials:

• Vase
• Small tree branch or branches
• Cardstock (fall colors)
• Twine or yarn
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Marker (black, white or metallic)
• Hole punch
• Vase fillers (optional)
• Die-cutting machine (optional)
• Battery powered fairy lights (optional)

Instructions: First, use a pencil to draw leaf shapes on fall colored Use scissors to cut out the leaves. If you have a die-cutting machine, use it to cut out at least 3 different leaf shapes. Next, punch a hole in each of the Thread a piece of twine or yarn through the hole, and tie it into a loop. Invite your family to write what they are thankful for on a few. They can use a black, white or metallic marker. Finally, place the tree branch into the vase, and then hang the leaves on the You can add acorns, pebbles or any other vase filler to the bottom of the vase to hold the tree branch in place. If you want to add a magical touch to your thankful tree, decorate it with battery operated fairy lights.

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Why I love it: Thankful Tree’s make a great centerpiece or addition to an Entryway since they make great conversation starters. Placing them by your front door provides a great visual reminder every time you step outside of the things we often take for granted.

Thankfulness Pumpkin

Materials: Medium-sized pumpkin, black Sharpie (or any color of your choosing)

Instructions: Start at the top of the pumpkin and write “We are thankful for…” curving it around the stem. Each day, have each family member add one or two things they’re thankful for, writing your list in a spiral around the pumpkin. Start with the important things like family, friends and pets and then add all the fun little things your family is thankful for: cookies, a favorite TV show, sleeping in on weekends. By Thanksgiving Day, your pumpkin will be filled with everything your family is thankful for. Use your finished pumpkin for a table setting decoration or have it on display for your family and guests to see and discuss! 

Why I love it: It creates a daily discussion on thankfulness and gratitude. Talking as a family about all the things you’re thankful for creates an environment of gratitude and teaches kiddos to be thankful for all they have. 

Leaf Catcher

Materials: Printable leaves template, one 14-inch embroidery hoop, yarn, card stock

Instructions: Starting with a short tail, wrap the yarn around the hoop, crisscrossing in all directions as you go. It’s great to start out with a medium weight yarn in an autumnal color. Wrap your hoop as many times as you want until it starts looking like it can catch some leaves! Cut the yarn and tie it to your starting tail in a knot. Add a second layer of yarn in another autumnal color or weight, repeating the crisscrossing. Print your leaves template on cardstock (or have your kiddos draw their own leaves on colored construction paper), cut them out, and keep a pen nearby. Write down what you’re thankful for or a special memory from the year and place your leaves between the yarn for them to stay put. 

Why I love it: This is a great craft for the whole family to do together throughout the month. By Thanksgiving Day, your leaf catcher will be full of leaves and you can read aloud what each family member has written. Plus, it’s colorful, simple and requires few materials! 

Family Tree 

Materials: Printable tree template; red, orange, yellow ink pads; pen or marker

Instructions: Print a tree template of your choosing by typing “tree template” into Google, which gives you so many options to choose from. Using your ink pads, have your little ones use their thumbprints to create fall foliage on their tree. Once their tree looks full and autumnal, have them start writing their family members’ names near the leaves. You can start with grandparents, great-grandparents, or any parent you’d like. 

Why I love it: Teaching your kiddos about the members of their family and how everyone is connected is a great way to create togetherness and show them that families come in all different shapes and sizes, and that there are so many family members that love them. 

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