Discover 15 adorable Thanksgiving crafts for infants that are perfect for daycare. Easy, fun, and festive projects to celebrate the holiday season with your little ones!

Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and, of course, crafts! While infants may not be able to create masterpieces on their own, there are plenty of adorable and simple crafts that they can enjoy with a little help. These projects are perfect for daycare settings, where little ones can explore their creativity and celebrate the holiday in a fun and festive way. In this article, we’ll explore 15 adorable Thanksgiving crafts for infants that are sure to bring smiles and giggles. So, gather your supplies, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get crafting!

1. Handprint Turkey

Handprint turkeys are a timeless Thanksgiving craft that always brings joy. Begin with a piece of construction paper and trace your child’s hand, turning the thumb into the turkey’s head and the fingers into its feathers. Use non-toxic paint or markers to color the feathers in vibrant autumn hues, and add details like eyes, a beak, and feet. This charming craft is not only a delightful activity for kids but also creates a precious keepsake for parents to cherish. Every year, it serves as a heartwarming reminder of your child’s growth and the special moments spent together during the holiday season.

2. Footprint Pumpkin

Creating a footprint pumpkin is a delightful and messy activity that infants will love. Begin by dipping the baby’s foot in non-toxic orange paint and pressing it onto a piece of sturdy paper or canvas. Ensure you have a wet cloth or wipes handy for quick cleanup. Once the paint dries, use a green marker or paint to add a stem at the top of the footprint, transforming it into a charming little pumpkin. You can also add leaves or curly vines for extra detail. This craft not only captures a precious moment in time but also makes for a perfect seasonal decoration. Displaying it in your home will evoke fond memories each fall, celebrating your child’s early years in a festive and creative way.

3. Handprint Leaves

Handprint leaves are a simple yet beautiful craft that captures the essence of the fall season. Start by tracing the infant’s hand on various colors of construction paper, such as red, yellow, orange, and brown. Carefully cut out the handprints, turning each one into a unique leaf. Arrange and glue these colorful handprints onto a larger piece of paper or poster board to create a vibrant autumn leaf collage. This craft is not only easy to make but also a wonderful way to celebrate the season’s beauty. Displaying the collage adds a touch of fall festivity to any daycare classroom, making it a delightful project that parents and children will cherish.

4. Paper Plate Pilgrim Hats

Paper plate pilgrim hats are an easy and fun craft that infants can wear proudly. Start by cutting out the center of a paper plate, leaving just the outer ring. Paint the ring black to resemble a traditional pilgrim hat brim. Once the paint is dry, add a construction paper buckle to the front for an authentic touch. This simple craft can then be placed on the infant’s head like a headband, making it both adorable and wearable. Perfect for Thanksgiving photos, these hats bring a touch of history to your holiday celebration and offer a charming way to involve the little ones in festive activities.

5. Tissue Paper Cornucopia

A tissue paper cornucopia is a colorful and tactile craft that infants will enjoy making. Begin by drawing a cornucopia shape on a piece of construction paper. Provide small pieces of tissue paper in various colors, and guide the infants to crumple the tissue paper. Assist them in gluing the crumpled pieces onto the cornucopia outline, creating a vibrant and textured collage. This activity not only adds a festive touch to the daycare but also helps develop fine motor skills as the infants manipulate the tissue paper. The finished cornucopia will be a beautiful and cheerful decoration, perfect for celebrating the harvest season.

6. Paper Plate Turkey

Paper plate turkeys are a fun and easy craft that infants can help create. Begin by painting a paper plate brown and allowing it to dry. Once the paint is dry, assist the infants in adding construction paper feathers in various colors around the edge of the plate, encouraging them to practice their fine motor skills. Next, help them glue on googly eyes, a beak, and a wattle to complete the turkey's face, fostering their creativity and hand-eye coordination. This simple yet delightful craft not only provides sensory stimulation but also allows infants to participate in Thanksgiving preparations and proudly display their creations as part of the holiday decorations.

7. Leaf Art

Leaf art offers a delightful way to integrate nature into your Thanksgiving crafts with infants. Begin by taking the infants on an outdoor walk to collect an assortment of leaves in various shapes and sizes, fostering their appreciation for the natural world. Once back inside, provide them with non-toxic paint and encourage them to stamp the leaves onto paper, creating vibrant and textured leaf prints. This hands-on activity not only stimulates their senses but also encourages creativity and exploration. Moreover, it allows infants to connect with the changing seasons and produce beautiful, one-of-a-kind artwork that can be proudly displayed as part of your Thanksgiving decorations, celebrating the beauty of nature and the spirit of gratitude.

8. Acorn Cap Painting

Acorn cap painting offers a delightful and tactile crafting experience for infants. Begin by collecting a variety of acorn caps, each with its unique shape and texture. Provide a palette of non-toxic paints in assorted colors, encouraging the infants to dip the acorn caps into the paint and stamp them onto paper. This hands-on activity allows them to explore different colors and experiment with creating patterns and textures, fostering their creativity and fine motor skills. The resulting artwork is charming and unique, showcasing the infants' individual expressions and interpretations. Whether displayed in the daycare or taken home as cherished keepsakes, these painted acorn caps serve as a wonderful reminder of the joy and creativity found in simple natural materials.

9. Pinecone Turkeys

Pinecone turkeys offer an adorable and nature-inspired crafting activity that infants can actively participate in. Begin by collecting pinecones of varying sizes, providing an opportunity for exploration and sensory engagement. Use non-toxic paint to add vibrant feathers to the pinecones, allowing the infants to experiment with color and texture. Attach small pom-poms or felt balls to serve as the turkey's head, and embellish with googly eyes, a beak, and a wattle to bring the character to life. These charming little turkeys can then be proudly displayed throughout the daycare, infusing the space with a festive and natural ambiance. Not only does this craft encourage creativity and fine motor skills development, but it also fosters a deeper connection to the natural world.

10. Edible Turkey Treats

Edible turkey treats present a delightful and interactive crafting experience for infants to relish. Begin by utilizing round crackers as the foundation for the turkeys' bodies, offering a sturdy base for the culinary creation. Then, adorn the crackers with cheese slices, pretzel sticks, and carefully sliced fruits to assemble the turkey's face, fostering sensory exploration and fine motor skill development in the process. This hands-on activity not only encourages infants to engage with different textures and flavors but also provides an opportunity for creative expression and imaginative play. However, it's crucial to ensure that all ingredients used are safe and age-appropriate for the infants, promoting a fun and enjoyable crafting experience while prioritizing their well-being.

11. Fruit Cornucopia

A fruit cornucopia is a healthy and colorful edible craft. Utilizing a waffle cone as the cornucopia base, fill it with an assortment of small, bite-sized fruit pieces such as grapes, berries, and banana slices, creating a colorful and enticing display. Not only does this craft promote healthy eating habits by introducing infants to a variety of fruits, but it also provides a sensory-rich experience as they explore different textures and flavors. Moreover, the festive nature of the fruit cornucopia makes it a delightful addition to any Thanksgiving celebration, offering a playful and nutritious alternative to traditional sweets or treats.

12. Cereal Bracelet

Creating cereal bracelets offers a simple yet enjoyable edible craft for infants to engage in. With a piece of yarn or string as the base, assist the infants in threading cereal loops onto it, filling the string until it forms a bracelet. This activity not only aids in the development of fine motor skills as they manipulate the cereal pieces but also provides a tasty and interactive snack for later enjoyment. However, close supervision is essential throughout the process to ensure safety and prevent any potential choking hazards. With its combination of creativity, skill-building, and edible fun, cereal bracelets make for a delightful and engaging activity for infants.

13. Thanksgiving Sensory Bin

A Thanksgiving sensory bin is a fantastic way to engage infants’ senses. By filling a sizable container with diverse items such as dried corn, miniature pumpkins, gourds, and autumn leaves, along with scoops, spoons, and small containers, infants are encouraged to engage in hands-on exploration and play. This sensory experience not only captivates their attention but also fosters the development of essential fine motor skills and sensory awareness. As they sift through the various textures, shapes, and colors present in the bin, infants are provided with a stimulating and educational activity that celebrates the spirit of Thanksgiving while nurturing their cognitive and sensory development.

14. Pumpkin Playdough

Pumpkin playdough is a fun and aromatic sensory craft for infants. Prepare a batch of homemade playdough infused with pumpkin spice or cinnamon to evoke the essence of the season. Equip the infants with cookie cutters, rolling pins, and assorted tools, allowing them to mold, shape, and explore the pliable texture of the playdough. This hands-on activity not only stimulates their senses but also fosters creativity and fine motor skills development. As they engage in safe and enjoyable play, infants are encouraged to express themselves creatively while immersing themselves in the joyous spirit of the autumn season.

15. Feather Sensory Bottles

Feather sensory bottles are a calming and engaging craft for infants. Simply fill clear plastic bottles with water, a dash of food coloring for visual interest, and a selection of soft feathers. Seal the bottles securely and invite the infants to shake and observe as the feathers gracefully float and swirl within the liquid. This engaging activity not only stimulates their senses but also promotes relaxation and calmness, making it ideal for soothing and entertaining infants. As they marvel at the gentle movement of the feathers, infants are encouraged to explore and engage with the captivating beauty of their sensory environment.

Conclusion

Crafting with infants during Thanksgiving is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday and create lasting memories. These 15 adorable daycare Thanksgiving crafts are designed to be simple, safe, and fun, ensuring that even the youngest children can participate. From handprint turkeys to feather sensory bottles, each craft offers a unique way to explore creativity and celebrate the season. So, gather your supplies, involve the little ones, and enjoy the joy and laughter that comes with creating something special together.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are these crafts safe for infants?

Yes, all the crafts mentioned are designed to be safe for infants. Always use non-toxic materials and supervise closely during crafting.

• What supplies do I need for these crafts?

Common supplies include construction paper, non-toxic paint, glue, scissors, and natural items like leaves and pinecones. Specific crafts may require additional materials like tissue paper or edible items.

• Can these crafts be adapted for older children?

Absolutely! Many of these crafts can be modified to be more complex for older children, adding more detailed steps or allowing for more independent creation.

• How can I make sure the crafts are age-appropriate?

Ensure that materials are safe and suitable for the infants’ age. Simplify steps and provide plenty of assistance to make the activities enjoyable and achievable for the little ones.

• What is the best way to display these crafts?

Displaying the crafts on a bulletin board, wall, or classroom window is a great way to showcase the children’s work. You can also send the crafts home as special keepsakes for parents to treasure.

Stay up to date with our latest ideas!