ARTS AND CRAFTS (Autumn Table Top decorating at page bottom; Songs, Poems, Fun Facts & More on Page 2)

ROCKS OF GRATITUDE

Materials:
Rocks (various sizes, avoid shiny or glossy rocks)
Light stock paper (such as news print)
Low-gloss varnish or clear finish

Steps:
1. Collect an assortment of rocks.
2. Clean with soap and water, then paint with fall colored acrylic paints (It's not necessary to cover the entire rock with paint, leave some areas exposed if you wish. Let dry.
3. Print words of wisdom or Thanksgiving quotes on paper. Tear out the sayings (ragged edges).
4. Glue the sayings to your rocks using either white glue or Modge Podge.
5. Finish off the rocks by applying low-gloss varnish or polyurethane.
At home a variety of rocks good be arranged for centerpiece or in a cornucopia along with some other dried elements, such as nuts or grasses.

After Thanksgiving this makes a nice paper weight or addition to a garden!

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 I AM THANKFUL HANDPRINT TREE
Gather colored paper (red, orange, brown, green, yellow) Trace the children's hands onto several sheets of several colors. Cut out. Then cut out a brown tree trunk branches in proportion to the amount of leaves. Have the children glue the hand shapes to the tree trunk to form the leaves of the tree. Have the child think of things to be thankful for and label the hand/leaves.

 Version #2 of  Thankful Tree! (Image from Discount School Supply)

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THANKFUL WREATH OF LEAVES
Children can make a beautiful wreath of leaves that displays what they are thankful for. This wreath makes a great Autumn or Thanksgiving decoration.
 
Materials:
A plain white paper plate
Construction paper (orange, red, yellow, brown, and other earth tones)
Templates of leaf shapes
Crayons or markers
Scissors
Glue or a glue stick

  • Cut a HALF CIRCLE OUT OF THE CENTER of a plain paper plate. Cut out a lot of leaves from construction paper. Draw the leaf veins if you wish. If you'd like, use a leaf template.

  • Glue the leaves all around the rim of the paper plate.
In the lower center of the wreath, (the half circle part that was NOT cut out) write, "I am thankful for," and then have the children write or draw what they are thankful for.

  • Put the child's name on the wreath (or let them sign it).
For variations on this wreath: instead of using leaves, use cut-out handprints of the child, tissue paper baking cups or torn-up scraps of paper.

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KINDNESS or GRATITUDE FOR THANKSGIVING

Make a huge turkey body out of construction paper and affix it to a wall. (Or make a smaller body and put on card stock or construction paper)
Give kids multi-colored paper feathers (made from construction paper) and have them write something nice about other students or family members.
Collect the feathers and place on the turkey.

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PINE CONE TURKEY
Need:
A pine cone
An acorn or a nut in the shell
Brown, red, orange and yellow construction paper
Pencil or marker
Scissors
Glue
Hot glue
Googly eyes
Clay

1. Cut out construction paper feathers.
2. Put a small blob of clay on one side of the pine cone to steady it on the table. The pine cone will be the turkey's body.
3. Glue the "feathers" to the top of the wide side of the pine cone.

  • Glue the acorn to the front of the turkey using hot glue. 
  • Glue on two googly eyes and a small piece of red construction paper (for the turkey's wattle). Let the glue set.

You now have a great Thanksgiving table turkey decoration. To avoid staining a tablecloth with the clay, put the turkey on a small plate.

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'SCRATCH AND SNIFF' CORNUCOPIA

1. Do you have a large pattern or coloring book picture of a cornucopia. If so, make a copy for each child.
2. Have kids color the picture.
3. With stick glue, apply glue to a piece of fruit in the cornucopia; sprinkle dry jell-o (matching the fruit) over the glue. Shake off excess jell-o powder.
4. Reat with the other fruit and flavors of jell-o.
(Original idea from Ms. Tyler-Livonia, Mi. SAC)

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HAND AND FOOT PRINT TURKEY
 
  • I painted the kids fingers different (Turkey) colors and placed them on a piece of tag board. Then I painted one foot.

  • Place foot opposite way so the heel is on the top, your toes are the turkey feet and your heel is the head.

  • The funny part is I told all the kids is they had to scrub their feet the night before. They didn't know why and their parents were questioning. I told them it is for a gift for them.

  • We wrapped them up and gave it to the parents for Thanksgiving. Some are framed and hanging in homes every Thanksgiving. I didn't have a poem including the feet but that would be adorable.
Mrs. Z/Rochester Mi.

Mrs. Z...I think the following poem would work (Barb)

This isn't just a turkey,
As anyone can see-
I made it with my hands and feet...
Which are part of me.

It comes with lots of love
And especially today…
I hope you have a very
Happy Thanksgiving Day!

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HOLIDAY SCENTS!
Materials: Construction paper or tag board, glue, paintbrush, different seasonal spices such as: nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, whatever smells good!

1. Trace children's hands on tag board or construction paper. Have the children then put glue on the palm and finger shapes.
2. Spices are then sprinkled on the glue. They can be mixed or put on areas of fingers and hands...
3. To make the spiced handprint become a turkey, draw-feet, eyes, beak and wattle.

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APPLE TURKEYS (A snack and craft in one!)

These are fun to make. The tail feathers can be colored mini-marshmallows, gumdrops or a ring cereal such as Froot Loops. The feet can be whatever you decide--such as gum drops or candy corn

 TURKEY: (Sample and Photo by KidActivities) Need: apples, ingredients for feathers, candy corn, large marshmallows and colored toothpicks.

  • The apple is the body of the turkey.
 • Add colored mini-marshmallows or gum drops to 5 or 6 toothpicks; stick them in one end of the apple. 
 • Use a toothpick for the neck.
 • Use a marshmallow for a head -tiny raisin pieces for the eyes - a cut up cany corn for the beak. Use 3 toothpicks for legs (in a triangular position so your turkey can stand up) If you decide not to add legs, cut a small slice from the bottom of the apple to sit straight.

 Personally, I like to then eat the spice gum-drops! When you are making food crafts with children, make sure to have a few extra pieces for the kids to munch on!

The "Apple Turkeys" would look nice combined with some of the  centerpieces at the bottom of the page...

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PLYMOUTH ROCK SEATING--A fun alternative to place cards!

Version #1

Materials
Smooth rocks
Craft paint
Paintbrushes
1. Make sure rocks are clean and dry.
2. Paint the stone/rock entirely or with designs on it.
3. After the rocks are dry, paint  names of Thanksgiving Day dinner guests!

Version #2 using pasta letters... 
Materials:
Medium sized smooth stones
Pasta Letters

Coat stones in brightly colored craft paint. When paint is dry, glue on pasta letters.

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THANKFUL FOR YOU "BECAUSE" BAGS...
A Connecting and Feel Good Activity

These can double as an activity and for decorations on the tables. You'll need: 
  • Brown paper lunch sacks 
  • Green paint pen 
  • Raffia 
  • Tissue leaves in autumn colors.
  • Plenty of small pieces of paper (approx. 3" X 4" size).

1. Cut the top of each sack in a decorative manner. (Use pinking shears, or regular scissors to trim the size, and give the bag a little character.)
2. Glue one autumn leaf to the center of each bag at an angle.
3. Tie raffia into little bows, and glue one to the base of each leaf with a hot glue gun. Write the name of each child on the bags with the green paint pen.

Place small pieces of paper in a basket along with pens and markers. Have each  child write a note or draw a picture (little ones) of why they are thankful for each person.

    • If your group is having a party-this can be done in the days preceding the party. Drop notes into bags. Allow time during the party or program for the children to read their notes. A great self-esteem building activity!!!

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MAKE A THANKSGIVING TREE in a container 
Supplies: 
  • Leaves (these can be commercial silks, plastic leaves, or children can children trace and cut out their own leaves. 
  • A branch to make the tree  
  • A container and rocks to support the tree 
  • Magazines 
  • Paper 
  • Scissors 
  • Markers 
  • Needle 
  • Thread 
  • Low-tack tape

Instructions
1. Fill the container with rocks. Remove leaves and unnecessary branches from the tree. Put branch in container. Make sure that the branch is securely anchored by the rocks.
2. Use the needle and thread to make individual hangers for the leaves.
3. Have children cut out or draw images of things for which they are thankful or have them write a list of things they are thankful for and cut out the words.
4. Use the tape to stick the thanksgiving items to the leaves. Hint: Any adhesive would work but if you use a low tack adhesive you can use the leaves again next year.
5. Hang the leaves on the tree.

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THANKSGIVING CARD

You'll need: leaf cutouts, glue, dried kernel corn 

1. Write a greeting on a sheet of construction paper or card-stock-
such as Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Autumn, Give Thanks, etc.
2. Have the children glue the corn to form the letters of the words. 3. Glue leaf cutouts around the rest of the picture for decoration

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 PAPER PLATE TURKEY

•Color paper plates with markers
•Glue turkey head on to T-paper tube.
•Staple the tube to the plate.

Courtesy of Renee Glashow at lilteacher

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'Words' for Younger Children's Hand-Print Turkeys  The poem above (for Mrs. Z's Footprint Turkey)  uses the words 'Hands and Feet'--this one is just hand...) 

This isn't just a turkey,
As anyone can see-
I made it with my hand
Which is part of me.

It comes with lots of love
And especially today-
I hope you have a very
Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Handprint photo courtesy of Ms. Glashow's class at lilteacher 

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TURKEY OF LEAVES
Gather brightly colored leaves and create this cute turkey! 

1. Glue the leaves to a piece of construction paper. It should resemble the tail feather of a turkey.
2. Add a body cut from another piece of construction paper.
3. Add a beak, feet, and some eyes--either wiggly eyes orpaper.
Tip: You may want to preserve the leaves before starting project. Thank you to MomentsofMommyHood for idea and images! 

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ACTIVITY BOOK
175 Easy-To-Do Thanksgiving Crafts (Creative Uses for Recyclables) (Paperback)by Sharon Dunn Umnik
$7.95 new and starting at $2.97 used at Amazon.com
A review: This book is an incredible asset to any classroom. The directions are clear and concise and the full color pictures of the end result are great! I would highly recommend this book to any teacher in need of extra ideas! Mary Ellen Fuentes

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Be sure to check out Ideas in the Autumn/Fall Centerpieces and Decorating Category!

All Miscellaneous activities of POEMS, SONGS, FACTS AND MORE...has been moved to its own page! Click here...

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You may also be interested in...

• Autumn Decorating and Center Pieces
• Thanksgiving Snacks and Goodies
• Thanksgiving Arts, Crafts, Miscellaneous (this one)
• Poems, Songs, Facts and More
• Thanksgiving Games
• Autumn/Fall Games
• Autumn Pumpkin Theme
• Pumpkin Snacks and Recipes
• Popcorn Snacks and Recipes (Nice for Autumn!)
• Colonial Theme

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LONG LASTING AUTUMN DECOR...
I personally like  Autumn to last as long as possible--to go from late September all the way to Thanksgiving! I don't want it to stop at Halloween. Love Halloween but want Fall to last longer!

So decorating (as several images show) is focused on--baskets and pottery filled with uncarved pumpkins, fruit, vegetables, gourds, Indian corn, walnuts and seed balls of nature, dried flowers and foliage. Add raffia, berries, Fall colored ribbon, candles, seasonal candy, and rustic accessories...(Barb)

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 MAKE AN APPLE CANDLE HOLDER for your Holiday Table

This table centerpiece is short lived ---but pretty while it lasts.

Materials:
Large Rome Beauty apples (that will stand straight on the table)
Candles
Waxed paper and potato peeler
Lemon juice
1. Using an apple corer, make a hole about halfway through the middle of an apple. Make the hole as straight as possible and remove the core piece.

2. Insert a candle into the hole. It should fit tightly; if the hole is too large, wrap waxed paper around the candle's end.

3. Older kids can decorate the apples by carefully carving designs in the skins with the tip of a potato peeler (to prevent the designs from turning brown, rub them with lemon juice).

4. Arrange the candleholders in a circle on a plate or cutting board.
Make sure that the apples are stable. Cut the bottom accordingly if not.

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CARVED OUT PUMPKINS MAKE GREAT 'VASES AND CANDLE HOLDERS'!

Thoroughly carve out a small to medium-sized, round pumpkin. Place a block of florist's foam inside the scooped pumpkin; place an assortment of harvest-themed artificial berries and flowers, available at arts and crafts stores, into the foam block. Abundantly fill the foam block so that you cannot see the opening of the pumpkin. This makes a festive Fall and Thanksgiving centerpiece--or wonderful outside decoration! If doing this for outdoors--just place flower pots inside of the hollowed-out pumpkins. (Outdoor Image: Redesign+more)

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 GLITTER PUMPKIN CENTERPIECE

Materials: Sponge brush, glitter, glue and wax paper

 Lightly put glue on  entire  pumpkin while it sits on wax paper. Quickly sprinkle  glitter on the pumpkin.
(The sample uses Martha Stewart's powder glitter in penny, persimmon, orange, and pink champagne!)
Let dry and then brush off excess glitter. 
Tie with ribbon and bow draping with long ends cut on diagonal.
(Image: Martha Stewart)

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 AUTUMN CENTERPIECE ...Something you can leave on your table all Fall!

 An easy and pretty centerpiece for early October to Thanksgiving... is to pile gourds, pumpkins and silk leaves in the middle of the table and tumbling out of a basket. This centerpiece would be pretty piled on a serving tray/basket/dish! (This example is made with artificial gourds-by KidActivities.net)

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Using the above centerpiece---set A WARM AUTUMN TABLE

Once you have a centerpiece--put together a lovely 'Autumn Table'...This table is set with Fall colors; more gourds and miniature pumpkins placed around the centerpiece. Votive candles add sparkle and candy corn is sprinkled about.

Note the canning jars which are hot glued to short glass candle sticks. (They can be seen in image on right through the water glass)  Candy corn is placed in the base of each jar and candles snuggled in... (The jars also have a variety of functional use. At the time of this writing--three jars hold Autumn candy and are placed on the coffee table. The goodies change with the season!)  Images by KidActivities.net

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FLOATING PUMPKIN CANDLES
Materials: Miniature pumpkins, votive candles, bowl(s) or buckets (depending on whether pumpkins are inside or outdoors), thin marker, knife

Purchase the amount of pumpkins you'll want for your table. Five to eight pumpkins should work for a table decoration. You may want more if floating them in buckets for an outdoor harvest theme. Also purchase the same amount of votive candles. 

Place the candle over the top of the pumpkin and trace the circular shape onto the pumpkin. Using a knife, carefully cut out the circle so that a votive candle will fit securely into the hole. Do this with all the candles.
Fill bowls/pails with water. Light candles and float the pumpkins in the water.

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SIMPLE AND BEAUTIFUL DECORATION

Just line up small white pumpkins along a wooden platter. To accent the gourds paleness --add a runner or fabric piece in a bright autumn color. Image Source: GoodHousekeeping

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PAINTED PUMPKINS AND GOURDS

These almost look  ceramic-but they're painted. These were first spray-painted with Rust-Oleum Satin primer. After drying--they were spray painted with 'Heirllom white paint. What a lovely centerpiece! Source: SomeDay Crafts 

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  FILL CLEAR JARS AND VASES with your favorite Autumn colored candy or Autumn Fruit! Wonderful as it also doubles as a welcoming snack or after-dinner treat!

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1. Use hot glue to secure the Styrofoam into the pot.

2. Make the "tree." Sharpen the end of the dowel or branch (trimming it to size if necessary). Push it into the bottom of the pumpkin. Push the other end of the dowel into the Styrofoam. Hot-glue the dowel to secure if necessary.

3. Add the finishing touches. Spread dried beans or peas over the top of the Styrofoam, gluing if desired. Using raffia, tie a bow around the dowel just below the pumpkin.

TIPS: You can replace the miniature pumpkins with small gourds. If you want your topiary to last for more than two weeks, use artificial vegetables or fruits.

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 AUTUMN CANDLE HOLDERS

Anchor pillar candles in a bed of candy corn or black and orange jelly beans for seasonal touches. Mix in with fall follage, gourds and pumpkins!

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 AUTUMN PORCH

 To the right....A tall metal container filled with faux silk mums, sunflowers, and leaves--a few tall branches added for height.  Group pumpkins at the base --and perch a small happy scarecrow. (Both the metal container and Scare Crow are weighted--so even on a windy day---everything stays in place! (Images by KidActivites.net)

AND THEN....

 FINISH WITH CORNSTALKS!
Do you have columns on your house? Simply tie corn stalks to them with twine... and add a scarecrow. Place tied dry corn cobs or an Autumn wreath on the door. Wonderful from October to Thanksgiving!

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  Image on right...How very cool is this?! Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes filling the fireplace opening.

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Image on left... Start at the front entrance with a warm and inviting AUTUMN FOYER!

A faux corn stalk is placed behind the chest--silk mums and fall follage fill the tall pottery. A couple added pumpkins (one on a cake stand) completes the 'Welcome'! (Image by KidActivities.net)

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