Thanksgiving Preschool Theme Crafts

by Aunt B

Copyright 2004-2006 Story Soup Kids, a division of Enchanted Corner

Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

Thankful Chain

Items you will need:
Construction Paper (Fall Colors)
Glue or Tape or Stapler 
Marker or Pen 

Cut many 3 inch by 8 inch strips out of construction paper. 
Have everyone finish this statement on a construction paper strip: "I am thankful for ...". 
Try to think of many things you are thankful for and write on as many strips as possible.
Once all the writing is done, make a paper chain using the strips! Start by forming one of the strips into a circle and gluing/taping/staple the short ends together. Make sure the writing side is out. Take a second strip and stick it through the center of the first circle you made, and tape/ glue/ the two short ends together. Continue this until you have used all your strips. 
*Stapler is only recommended for older children*
Make this a family fun night. Have the whole family work on the chain. On Thanksgiving Day after dinner when everyone is sitting around sleepy, stop and read what everyone is Thankful for.

Corn Cob Painting (fun)

Items you will need:
Corn on the cob (any size)
Tempera Paint (any color)
Paper plates
Paint Brushes
Paper to paint on
Newspaper to cover the table.
First cover you table with/ newspaper to protect it. Place a small amount of paint into paper plates. You can paint two ways roll your cob in the paint or you can take a paint brush and paint one color then another then another on your cob. This will cause a multicolor effect. (really neat)
You can make these pictures into placemats, cards or even paint on brown packaging paper 
and use it as wrapping paper.

Hands of Thanks Wreath

Items you will need:
Fall color paper (red, yellow, orange, brown)
Scissors
Glue
Cardboard
Pencil
Something big and round to trace like a plate

Trace your plate on the cardboard. Trace a bowl in the middle that way you have a wreath made out of cardboard.
Trace the hands of your family, Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother, etc. Cut out the hands. Glue the hands to the cardboard with/ the palms facing in. Place one hand in the middle of the bottom of the wreath with your family name on it. Write on the hands what each person in your family is thankful for on their hand.

Thanksgiving Cooking with Kids

"Blessing Mix"

Each ingredient represents something related to Thanksgiving: 
Bugles corn snacks-a cornucopia 
Pretzels-arms folded in prayer 
Candy corn-the five kernels of corn each of the pilgrims were allotted per day during their first winter because food was so scarce 
Dried fruits-Thanksgiving is the celebration of the harvest 
Peanuts or sunflower seeds-seeds represent the potential of a bounteous harvest for the next season if they are planted and well-tended.

Thanksgiving Printable Games & Activities

Recommended Thanksgiving Books to read

Thanksgiving Cats
Written by: Jean Marzoll
A family of cats celebrate Thanksgiving by growing lots of vegetables, raising turkeys, making pies, preparing a feast, giving thanks and enjoying the holiday meal. 

Cranberry Thanksgiving
Written by: Harry Devlin
Grandmother almost loses her secret recipe for cranberry bread to one of the guests she and Maggie invite for Thanksgiving dinner. Includes the secret recipe. 

Thanksgiving Mice!
Written by: Bethany Roberts
These funny mice are putting on a holiday play about the first Thanksgiving.