17 Easy Ways to Make Your Thanksgiving Kids' Table More Fun

Want to spruce up your kids’ Thanksgiving table to make it more fun for the kids? Here’s a list of The Krazy Coupon Lady’s favorite ways to do that because we all know kids need a space of their own to laugh, talk loudly, and scream with their cousins. You might as well spruce it up to make it fun for Thanksgiving dinner.

With a few items, kids can create Thanksgiving crafts to keep them busy and make their table look one-of-a-kind. You never know … after they’re done decorating their table, theirs may look better than the grown-ups’ table.

Check out these Hobby Lobby hacks to save on all the crayons and supplies you’ll need. Also hop on over to The Krazy Coupon Lady’s Michaels, Walmart, Staples, and Dollar Tree coupon pages to make these kids’ Thanksgiving tables cost next to nothing. These Thanksgiving deals could come in handy, too as you plan what to cook for the big day.

 

1. Cover the table with kraft paper and set out crayons.

Kraft paper is great for crafts, but it can easily double as a tablecloth for a kids’ Thanksgiving table. You won’t have to worry about stains on your precious cotton tablecloth. Lay down the paper and use a Sharpie to draw a placemat outline. Head to the next tip to build a DIY crayon holder.

Related: How Much Will Thanksgiving Dinner Cost You?

 

2. Create a log crayon holder.

A small log stump, power drill, and a half-inch drill bit are what you need to make this DIY crayon holder. Measure how deep you want your Crayola crayons to sit, and then mark your drill bit with tape.

Begin drilling into your log, stopping when you reach the tape. Blow out sawdust and fill with crayons.

 

3. Put together a tic-tac-toe board with pumpkins.

This tic-tac-toe board could quickly become your kids’ favorite centerpiece. Use washi tape to create a grid — you can use a tape measure to guarantee even squares. Place tiny pumpkins as the pieces.

 

4. Set up a snack station for kids to enjoy while you cook.

The kids can help themselves to fun snacks while you prepare the big meal. Go as healthy — or not — as you’d like. To get the kids involved with setting up the snack station, have them decorate the snack cups beforehand with fingerprint turkeys.

 

5. Design a feathered turkey out of a pine cone.

Thanksgiving dinner is better with a buddy, so have your kids make a pine cone craft to resemble a turkey. Glue multicolored craft feathers, googly eyes, and an orange triangle (from felt or construction paper) for the nose.

 

 

6. Set out Thanksgiving place mats that can be colored.

As an alternative to the kraft paper idea, set out paper place mats that can be colored — just like in some restaurants. With a bowl of crayons (or your new log crayon holder), markers, and colored pencils nearby, the kids will enjoy designing a custom eating area.

 

7. Cut out leaves to make DIY Thanksgiving place cards.

Put the kids to work by having them write guests names on leaf-shaped place cards. Use Sharpies in seasonal colors to go with the holiday theme. Add Thanksgiving stickers for added decoration.

 

8. Make dried leaf collages on construction paper.

Look no further than your backyard and your kid’s art bin to make this easy, creative craft for your Thanksgiving kids’ table. Grab a few colorful leaves and use a glue stick to adhere them to the construction paper. Select various sizes and shapes to make the craft stand out. This project will keep them busy while dinner is getting ready.

Related: Legit Hacks to Help You Win at Parenting

 

9. Turn mini pumpkins into turkey centerpieces.

It doesn’t get much easier than this, and the kids will love it. Set up your faux or real small pumpkins and the turkey pumpkin making kits at your designated craft area. After they’re done, make them centerpieces for the kids’ and adults’ tables.

If you’re short on time and can’t pick up a kit, you can also download turkey parts here and print them out on heavy cardstock paper.

 

10. Or make a thankful suncatcher to hang on the window.

Have all the kids celebrate Thanksgiving with a thankful craft that can be used to shine year round. With a paintbrush, add some colorful seasonal flair to a Give Thanks suncatcher. Hang it up near the dinner tables to let the sun shine through.

 

11. Set out materials for a gratitude chain.

While waiting for the Thanksgiving feast, let the kids write what they’re thankful for on paper strips. Afterwards, hang the chain so everyone can view the notes of gratitude. Have any visiting kids take the gratitude chain home with them.

Another similar idea is a gratitude Mason jar. Write down what you’re thankful for and put it in the jar. Adults can mark their expressions, too.

 

12. Amp up the laughs with a round of Thanksgiving Mad Libs.

Mad Libs is a classic word game where you simply add words to the blanks to create your own hilarious version of a story. This is an activity that’s bound to get some laughs. Not only is it fun but it’s a good way to sneak in some reading and grammar building.

 

13. Or have the kids go on a Thanksgiving ISpy hunt.

ISpy is one of the best road trip games, but it’s also a clever idea to get the little ones to sit still before Thanksgiving dinner is served. Even if you don’t have a printable ISpy Thanksgiving game, just make up the game as you go by looking at items on the table, in the kitchen, and in the living room.

If dinner is delayed, have the kids hunt for fall favorites with a printed Thanksgiving scavenger hunt list.

 

14. Create a dessert cornucopia from ice cream cones.

Put that leftover Halloween candy to good use and make dessert cornucopias for the kids’ table. Start with sugar ice cream cones and drip a few drops of water inside, but don’t saturate.

In a bowl of hot water, place the tip of the cone in for 30 seconds. Then place it on a microwave-safe plate for 20 to 30 seconds. Once the tip has softened, use a clean pencil to curl the cone tip. Fill it with candy once it has hardened. Wrap it with plastic wrap and orange string to decorate it.

 

 

15. Make turkey crowns with colorful feathers.

Get into the spirit of Thanksgiving with these easy-to-assemble turkey crowns. They’re already colored, so you just need to glue the crown and then the feathers. To get the perfect fit, measure your child’s head first and then glue it.

 

16. Cut out fall-inspired shapes for a table scatter.

Print various leaf shapes on colored printer paper. Cut out enough of the shapes to scatter on the adult and kids’ tables. Personalize it with names of guests or add harvest stickers.

 

17. Pass out kid-friendly word search puzzles.

Keep kids’ minds sharp while keeping them in their seats with Thanksgiving word search puzzles. Here are free Thanksgiving word search puzzles perfect for kids or anyone who loves a good vocabulary challenge.