Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids: Milk Carton Mayflower, Sparkle Wreath and Pilgrim Surprise

Make these three free Thanksgiving crafts for kids, in preparation of the November holiday. These Thanksgiving crafts use a combination of recycled materials and cheap arts and crafts materials. Instructions are given for making a Milk Carton Mayflower, a Sparkle Thanksgiving Wreath, and a Pilgrim Surprise!

Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

Milk Carton Mayflower Thanksgiving Craft

First, let's help those Pilgrims ashore with a milk carton Mayflower.

Rinse and dry and empty half-gallon cardboard milk carton. An adult will need to cut the carton in half.

Line the inside with some wax paper. No need fold it or glue it. Place a sheet in the carton and press it down in the corners along the bottom and the sides of the milk carton, and then up along the vertical inside corners.

The reason for lining it with wax paper is so the completed Milk Carton Mayflower can be used to hold nuts, fruit or other yummy holiday edibles.

Kids can paint or color some plain craft sticks brown. Paint the milk carton all white, brown, gray or black. Or cover it with construction paper.

Glue the craft sticks to the outside of the boat, so they look like wooden planks. A package of 200 craft sticks can be found at some dollar stores. Kids love to use glue and craft sticks, and this will keep them happy and busy.

Tape two craft sticks together to make a tall mast. Cut out some colorful sails, one big and one small. Poke two holes in each sail and push the craft sticks through the sails, with the small one on the top. Glue to the front of the boat, inside. Add another mast if you want to

Sparkle Wreath Thanksgiving Craft

Cut the center out of a plain paper plate. Draw pictures of leaf silhouettes, using real leaves for inspiration. Help children cut out the shapes, if they are able to use scissors. Ask them to draw acorns and leaves. Cut out all of the shapes.

Glue the leaf and acorn shapes all around the circle. It's okay to layer the leaves and acorns. Drip some glue over the leaves. A child can sprinkle silver or gold glitter over the glue.

Tip: Place a large piece of paper under the glitter wreath. Fold the paper to collect the fallen glitter so it can be used again.