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Thanksgiving Craft Ideas
Here are some easy to make Thanksgiving Crafts that are fun for all
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Thanksgiving Craft: Turkey
Turkeys are popular at Thanksgiving time, both as the main dish and as
decorations. There are many different ways to create nice turkey that may become
a tradition for decorating for years to come.
The simplest turkey to make is by tracing around a hand, fingers spread. The
thumb becomes the head, the other fingers the feathers and the palm is the body
of the turkey. Color the turkey, add details like eyes and cut it out. They can
be hung on the walls, scattered around the table or used to create a mobile.
Another fun project is a paper mache' turkey. Prepare the paper mache' paste.
The two most popular methods are:
1. Non-cooked - 3 part white glue to 1 part water
2. Cooked - 1 part flour to 5 parts water, boil about 3 minutes and let cool
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Blow up a large balloon and cover with newspaper strips that have been covered
in the paste. Once dry, prime the body and paint brown. Cut out colorful
feathers, feet, and a head and attach them to the turkey body.
If you don't want the mess of a paper mache' turkey, you can make one out of a
paper bag. Stuff the bag with newspaper or plastic bags and shape the body. You
can decorate it like the paper mache' turkey, with feathers, feet and a head.
Another turkey craft that could also be used for a game is to make 2-liter
bottle turkeys. Put a little bit of sand in the bottom to keep them from falling
over. Paint the bottles brown and then decorate them. After you have ten of
them, you could let the kids go bowling for turkeys.
If you have a pine tree, as well as other trees that have beautiful fall
foliage, in your back yard, you have the makings of a completely free turkey
craft. Gather the items from your yard, arrange the leaves on a piece of paper
in a fan shape, to look like the turkey's tail feathers. Glue the pinecone at
the base for the body. Add google-eyes, or cut out construction paper eyes, feet
and beak and you have an adorable turkey right from your own yard.
To create a turkey wreath, cut out a circle of cardboard with the center cut
out, leaving about a two-inch ring. Cut strips of red, orange and yellow
construction paper an inch wide by about 4 inches long. Glue the ends together
to create rings, and arrange them on the wreath for the feathers. Cut out a head
and feet and attach at the bottom of the wreath.
With some imagination and a few simple supplies, you can create not only nice
decorations for your Thanksgiving celebration, but memories too. Spending the
time with your children to make a few turkeys will be remembered long after the
pie and stuffing are all gone.
Thanksgiving Craft: Necklace and Bracelet
When we were young girls, we were fascinated with making
bracelets and necklaces using beads in all shapes and
sizes as well as their brilliant colors. Today, your
kids can make a necklace and bracelet for Thanksgiving
as well.
One trip to your local craft store is all that is needed
to begin the process of creating necklaces and bracelets
at home. Choose a leather cord and a variety of beads in
all shapes, sizes, and colors. Then put the cord through
each bead until you have the desired look. Follow this
same process for both necklace and bracelet.
In the old days, shoelaces were used. You can do the
same as well. Choose black or white shoelaces, which are
easier to push through the hole in the beads, and tie a
knot at both ends and you have a lovely necklace or
bracelet.
Perhaps your kids would like to use some of your costume
jewelry instead of beads. If you have several loop type
earrings, you can make a lovely bracelet from those as
well.
If you kids would like to make “sweet” necklaces and
bracelets, they can use lifesavers which come
individually packaged. Pick up the variety bag, and the
kids can have a great time making candy necklaces and
bracelets as well.
Here’s another fun idea. How about using elbow pasta to
make a necklace and bracelet? The kids can use sharpie
pens in different colors and really make unique and
colorful jewelry. Of course, there is the traditional
popcorn bracelet and necklace but how about using
caramel popcorn to add a bit more color?
Does this bring back fond memories for you? Well then
join your kids in making these necklaces and bracelets
for Thanksgiving and proudly wear them. Snap lots of
pictures for your scrapbook and remember the important
thing is to have fun creating jewelry using unique ideas
and items around your home as well.
Thanksgiving Craft: Pilgrim Hat & Bonnet
Every Thanksgiving, moms and kids have a fun time
creating Thanksgiving crafts, especially the making of
Pilgrim hats. It also seems that every year, the
traditional black hat with a belt buckle is ingenuously
created to wear, hung as an ornament, or made as a
centerpiece.
In researching favorite Thanksgiving crafts, there is
one item that has rarely been mentioned – a Pilgrim’s
Bonnet. While you may see plenty of assorted Pilgrim’s
hats for men and boys, it’s time to share a few tips on
how to make Pilgrim bonnets for women and girls.
If you are good at sewing, there are plenty of online
sites where you can print out a pattern and make a
lovely bonnet. If you would like to keep it simple, you
can make a bonnet out of white paper. At your local
office supply store, you will be able to locate 12x15
white paper. Lay it out on the table, and fold the back
underneath about two inches and scotch tape the fold to
the back of the paper. Take both corners of the top
section and fold them down so they meet in the middle,
then scotch tape both corners to the middle section.
This is the basis of the hat. In order to wear it, fold
it over your head or that of your daughter, and take a
hole puncher and punch a hole at each bottom end. Take
two pieces of thin white ribbon and put each one through
the hole, knotting it from the inside. Now you can take
each piece of ribbon that has been secured in place and
tie it around the chin. Voila!
There are some wonderful traditional Pilgrim hats which
can be made as centerpieces. One such hat was made using
black felt material which lined a flower pot. Then a
beautiful large buckled strap was placed around the
middle of the pot. What was so unique about this piece
was the black felt was draped to lie flat, so that when
set on a table, it made a lovely centerpiece.
There are so many ways in which you can use Thanksgiving
crafts to make Pilgrim hats. Be sure to include bonnets
as well. Whether you make them to wear, or have the kids
cut and paste to hang them proudly in their room or the
kitchen. Either way, it is not only fun, but you can
also start a new tradition by having the entire family
wear hats and bonnets this Thanksgiving.
Additional Resources:
Makeit & Bakeit Glittering Frames - Fun to Make! Stained Glass Suncatchers add sparkle to window decorations. Great for room decorating or to give as gifts.
The Busy Moms Book Of Quick Crafts For Kids - Quick and easy crafts, including shaving cream sculptures, ghost-it-notes, and tin-punch laterns. Over 140 pages.
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