Read on for the ultimate guide to paper Thanksgiving crafts for kids that are fun to make but easy to prep! (This post may contain affiliate links. I make a small amount of comimssion when you shop through these links.)

Click here to check out the Gratitude and Thanksgiving activity bundle!

Thanksgiving Projects for Elementary Students

Thanksgiving is a special time in school because it provides an opportunity to express gratitude and honor the earth. These paper Thanksgiving crafts for kids can help students practice gratitude in ways that are engaging and fun. 

This is an especially important time to talk about Native American culture and to honor it in a respectful way in your classroom. There are lots of Thanksgiving projects for elementary students that can help students understand and respect Native American culture. Here are some of the very best paper Thanksgiving crafts for kids of all ages!

Printable Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

If you are looking for Thanksgiving crafts for kids easy on the prep and low on materials, then printables are the way to go. There are lots of printable options out there that can still be rich and engaging. Here are some of my very favorite Thanksgiving crafts for kids at school that are no-prep printables:

Gratitude Crown

This leaf crown is another fun craft project. Students write down people or things that they are grateful for on the leaves and then glue it to their crown.

Thanksgiving Traditions Turkey

This printable turkey craft is one of my favorite printable Thanksgiving crafts for kids. Students write different things they love to do for Thanksgiving on the feathers of the turkey.

Coloring Sheets

This collaborative coloring poster is such a fun choice for Thanksgiving time! Each student gets a square to color. Then the class uses teamwork to put the pictures together to create a complete display. It requires no prep, just lots of fun. This resource comes with ten gratitude and Thanksgiving themed designs to choose from.

Native American Designs

Making a Native American-inspired drawing. First, help your students research tribes that live or used to live in your area. Then find out what kind of symbols they used in their designs and artwork. Students can use these symbols to decorate their own artwork.

Coloring Placemats

This placemat coloring is a fun chance for students to share with the class some of the foods that their families like to make for Thanksgiving. It also provides a chance to talk about decolonizing Thanksgiving by talking about some traditional Native American foods to your students. This article includes many wonderful dishes that come from Native American culture. You can even share these recipes with students and their families.

Grateful For The Earth

Reading books like Wild Berries by Julie Flett can help inspire students to appreciate the beauty of nature. This craft inspires students to name all the ways Earth provides for them. Another beautiful book to read with this craft is We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom. You can get the template to this craft in my TPT store right here.

Gratitude Anchor Charts

Anchor charts are a great paper activity to use in the classroom. These anchor charts are all about celebrating gratitude, and they are perfect for November and Thanksgiving time. These anchor charts have an element that the students cut out and write on their own, making them great paper Thanksgiving crafts for kids.

This is a fun anchor chart to help students brainstorm and reflect on things that they are grateful for in their lives. Pass out a paper leaf to each student, have them write their idea on the leaf, cut it out, and paste it on the anchor chart!

This anchor chart is a fun way to have students share their favorite Thanksgiving traditions. Each student gets a feather, writes down one of their favorite ways to celebrate, and then adds their feather to the turkey on the anchor chart.

Thanksgiving Crafts Construction Paper

There are lots of fun Thanksgiving crafts construction paper can be used for. Many photocopy machines can run construction paper, making it easy to use colored construction paper as part of any craft. Here are some of my favorite Thanksgiving crafts construction paper is used with.

Gratitude Chain

This gratitude chain is one of my favorite paper Thanksgiving crafts for kids that can be done as a whole-class activity. Have your students think about all the things they are grateful for in their classroom or school. This might be teachers and friends, certain classes or resources, or features of their school buildings. This activity can help students realize the great privilege of having access to education.

Pastel or Chalk Drawings

You can use construction paper with pastels or chalk to get a striking look for this craft. Celebrate Native American legends using books like The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble and Tasunka, A Lakota Horse Legend by Donald F. Montileaux.

Construction Paper Weaving

This is a great example of Thanksgiving crafts construction paper could be used for. This festive fall weaving project can be printed out and copied on colored construction paper. Cut out construction paper strips for students to use for the weaving.

Paper Thanksgiving Crafts For Kids

I hope these craft ideas have inspired you with lots of ideas! These Thanksgiving crafts for kids will help your students learn about respecting and honoring Native American culture, as well as celebrating gratitude for the big and small gifts in our lives.

Which activity are you excited to try with your students for Thanksgiving?
xoxo
Laura

Want some Thanksgiving activities that are ready to print and go? Check out the bundle here!

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