Crafting with Kids: Easy Thanksgiving Place Cards

I love creating kid friendly spaces, especially around the holidays, and I’ve found that the best way to do this is to involve the kids. It’s about this time of year that my daughter starts asking if we can work on Thanksgiving place cards. She’s been in charge the last three years and she takes her role very seriously. Here are four place card options that your kids will enjoy creating.

1. Thumbprint card

Supplies:

Brown Paint
Red paint
Yellow paint
Orange paint
Googly eyes
Cardstock

Take a piece of card stock and cut it in half and then fold each half in half. Using your kids index finger start with the outer layer of feathers (yellow) and make seven fingerprints in an arch. Do all the fingerprints in this color at one time and let dry. With orange paint, make seven fingerprints slightly overlapping the yellow. Let dry. With red paint, make five fingerprints and let dry. For the turkey’s body, use brown paint and use the child’s thumb. Let dry and add googly eyes.

2. Origami Pilgrim Boat Place Cards
Supplies:

Craft paper (or scrapbooking paper)
Toothpicks

Purchase scrapbooking paper or the cheaper method and buy a roll of kraft paper and cut to size, 8.5″ x 11″. Using these instructions create origami boats. The instructions are simple and straightforward, and school-aged kids can easily follow along. I found it best to work alongside my children working each step together. Once complete, create a small tag (or use labels and fold them in half on the toothpick) with card stock and a toothpick. Insert the toothpick into the center of the boat.

3. Gold feathers
Supplies:

Gold metallic craft paint
Feathers (You can buy a large bag for $1.99 at Michaels)
Fine point sharpie marker

Using a foam brush or other paintbrush have the kids paint the feathers gold. You can paint the whole feather or just a portion. Do two or three thin coats. This will create a hard layer on the feather that will give you a surface to write names on.

4. Ribbon Turkeys Place Cards
Supplies:

Assortment of ribbon
Cardstock
Low-temp glue gun
Circle or scallop paper punch

Punch out two circles of kraft or scrapbooking paper. Cut five pieces of ribbon to 2 1/2″. Fold ribbon in half and glue to one side of scallop. Glue remaining ribbons. Glue additional scallop on top (hides unsightly ribbons ends!).