It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is almost here! Whenever someone brings up Thanksgiving, the first thing that comes to mind is pumpkin pie, turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.
However, Thanksgiving is more than just the food. It’s a time for family and friends to come together and be thankful for what they have. And what better way to show your thanks than by making decorations? Making decorations is something that everyone can enjoy, including the kids!
Read on to learn a few DIY kids’ Thanksgiving decoration ideas.
Easy Leaf Lanterns
Anyone of any age can help create leaf lanterns, even little children. All you need is a few Mason jars, fabric leaves raffia twine, and battery-powered flickering tea lights, and Mod Podge (optional). Start with a clear Mason jar. Glue leaves around the outside of the jar using glue for glass and fabric. Be sure to supervise your children when using glue. Wait for the glue to dry. You can use Mod Podge to coat the leaves once the glue is dry. Insert a battery-operated flickering candle inside the jar.
To learn more, watch this video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9CY8n9cTE4
A Turkey Wreath
Everyone will gobble a little when they see your new turkey wreath. This decoration from simplybeingmommy.com is slightly more advanced than the leaf lanterns. You’ll need a blank round foam wreath, brown (or black) tape, orange tulle fabric, two foam balls for eyes (painted black), two stick-on eyes, red construction paper, glue, and an orange foam wedge. First, wrap the foam wreath with brown or black tape. Cut the tulle into 12” pieces. Fold the tulle pieces in half and loop each one around the upper half of the wreath and pull the ends through. Glue the two black foam balls on the top of the bottom inside edge of the wreath. Center and glue two stick-on eyes on each foam ball. Cut out a red “waddle” from the construction paper. Glue the orange foam wedge below the two eyeballs. Glue the “waddle” on one side of the orange wedge beak.
To learn more, visit https://simplybeingmommy.com/2013/11/20/diy-turkey-wreath/
Mini Pumpkin/Gourd Candles
If you’re looking for some unique lighting, pumpkin candles are the way to go. The best part is they’re very easy to make, even for children. You’ll need a few brightly colored mini pumpkins or gourds, a pumpkin carving knife (from carving kit), a spoon, a few battery-operated flickering tea lights, and a drill to cut ¼ inch circles around the small pumpkins. Be sure to supervise your children whenever you’re using glue, knives, or drills.
Cut off the tops of the mini pumpkins/gourds and hollow out the inside using a spoon. After the insides are removed, use your drill to add a few ¼ inch holes randomly around the mini pumpkin to let out light. Add battery-powered flickering tea candles or lights inside the pumpkins/gourds, and put the tops back on. These festive little lights can be added to your Thanksgiving table or placed on your mantle or shelves.
Leaf Trees
Christmas isn’t the only holiday where decorated trees can take center stage. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to make a lighted fall leaf tree to decorate your home. You’ll need a small tomato cage, plyers, orange tinsel garland, fabric fall leaves, glue (or hot glue with adult supervision) and a string of small lights. For safety reasons, use fabric fall leaves instead of real tree leaves.
Turn the tomato cage upside down. Bend the points of the tomato cage base in toward the middle to ensure all points are curled down and inward. Tie the orange tinsel garland at one end of the tomato cage. Wrap the tomato cage and tie off at the other end. Cut off the unused portion of garland. In between garland rows, insert colorful fall fabric leaves and secure with glue. Wrap lights around your Thanksgiving tree and plug them in. This decoration looks great by your front door, on the side of your fireplace, or by your Thanksgiving table. Enjoy!
Thanksgiving is one of the most joyous holidays of the year. It’s the day to show our thanks for what we have, our family and friends, and especially the children in our lives.
