Step-by-step Thanksgiving crafts
Follow the pictures one step at a time. Every step can open the video at the right moment.
Origami Thanksgiving turkeyA turkey with a big fan tail that stands on the table. 13 step drawings and the video.
Origami autumn maple leafFive small parts glued into a pointy maple leaf. 14 step drawings and the video.
Free printable: Thanksgiving kaleidocycle 🦃
Thanksgiving Kaleidocycle
A paper toy that turns forever and shows four pictures: a turkey, a pumpkin pie, autumn leaves and a harvest. Print one for every guest. Kids can make it with the help of their parents.
What is Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is a holiday about being grateful: a day to stop, get together with family and friends, and say thank you for the good things of the year, especially the autumn harvest. In the United States it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, and in Canada on the second Monday of October.
In the United States, Thanksgiving is often traced back to a harvest feast in 1621, when English settlers in Plymouth and the Wampanoag people shared a meal together. It became a national holiday in 1863. Today, many people also remember that the story has different meanings for different families, especially for Native American communities.
How do people celebrate Thanksgiving?
- A big family dinner. The classic table has roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and, for dessert, pumpkin pie.
- Saying what they are thankful for. Many families go around the table and everyone shares one thing they are grateful for.
- Parades and football. Millions of people watch the famous Thanksgiving Day parade with its giant balloons in New York, and football games on TV.
- Helping others. Many people volunteer, cook for neighbours or give food to people in need.
- Autumn decorations. Leaves, pumpkins, corn and, of course, turkeys decorate the home and the table. That is where paper crafts come in!
Ideas for a paper-craft Thanksgiving table
- Turkey place cards: fold one origami turkey for every guest and write their name on the tail.
- A table full of leaves: scatter paper maple leaves in red, orange and yellow along the table.
- Gratitude leaves: everyone writes one thing they are thankful for on a leaf, and you read them together at dinner.
- A leaf garland: hang a kirigami leaf chain over the window or the door.
- A craft corner for kids: while the food cooks, kids fold turkeys and leaves for the table.
Kids can make these crafts with the help of their parents. You can teach your child together: watch the video, follow the step-by-step pictures and fold side by side.
Thanksgiving videos on my channel
How to make an origami turkey for ThanksgivingFull tutorial · 4 min
Happy Thanksgiving: easy origami autumn leafFull tutorial · 3 min
Leaf chain tutorialA kirigami garland of autumn leaves · 2 min
Origami turkey for ThanksgivingThe turkey in one minute
Maple leaves for ThanksgivingA pile of colourful maple leaves
Leaf chain (short)The leaf garland in one minute
Questions
When is Thanksgiving?
In the United States, Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday of November. In Canada, it is on the second Monday of October.
What do people eat at Thanksgiving?
The classic Thanksgiving dinner has roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie.
What are easy Thanksgiving crafts for kids?
Paper turkeys, autumn leaves and leaf garlands are easy and fun. They also make lovely table decorations and place cards.
What can I put on a Thanksgiving table?
Paper leaves scattered along the table, a little origami turkey on every plate with each guest's name, and a leaf garland make a warm autumn table. A printed Thanksgiving kaleidocycle at every plate is a fun favour, too.
Happy Thanksgiving from Paper Land! 🦃 New tutorials every week on YouTube.