This Thanksgiving we will have 6 little ones running around ranging from 15 months to 7 years old. I like to have a few crafts on hand to keep them busy and I love finding something that works for all ages! This Thanksgiving kids craft is perfect for all ages, and inspired by the history behind Thanksgiving. Painted Feather Headdresses are sure to be a hit with all ages!

For your kids to do this project you will need:

• Corn (one piece per child- you can easily cut up a cob into thirds for this!)
• Paint in harvest colors- I chose red, orange, yellow and brown
• Paint brushes
• Smocks- or a big tshirt for the kids to wear to protect their clothes!
• An old towel or drop cloth to work on
• Construction paper- I chose two colors of brown. One for the corn feathers and another for the band
• Scissors- safety scissors for younger ones
• Stapler
• Optional: other decorating supplies such as glitter and glue, jewels, stickers, crayons, markers etc.

For the first part of the project have the kids don an art smock or a big tshirt. It would be great, weather permitting, to do this part outside but if you can’t just lay an old towel or drop cloth out! Each child should have a piece of corn, paper, paintbrush, and access to the paints.

Have the kids paint their corn with the paint then roll the corn along the paper. It makes the corn kernel design! Set them out to dry, it shouldn’t take too long!

Next have the older kids cut out long feather like shapes out of their art paper. For the younger ones you can draw the shape on the paper for them to cut out! For the littlest, cut it out for them! It’s nice to have a range of sizes so that the kids can design their headdress the way they want!

Next, take some more of the construction paper and cut it into strips (this is a great activity for the little ones who are learning to use scissors! Just draw strait lines on the paper lengthwise in three inch (or so, just eyeball it) increments and let them cut them out! I fringed the sides of the cut outs to make them look more like feathers. This would be a great activity for the older kids!

Using the stapler, connect two strips together. This is going to be the band for the headdress.

Let the children decide the placement of the feathers and staple them on. Then let them finish decorating the band with any other supplies you have on hand. Some ideas are glitter, feathers, jewels, stickers, markers, crayons.

When they are finished staple the painted feather headdress closed, wear, and admire your fun and easy Thanksgiving kids craft for all ages!

Another idea if you children really enjoyed making these feathers would be to make some more and cover the table runner with them for some fun and handmade decor!

How do you get your kids involved in the Thanksgiving holiday?

Halloween is over and its time for all things fall and Thanksgiving to have its time in the spotlight! It’s been decided that my little family is going to host Thanksgiving this year! We tend to host Thanksgiving often so I am always on the lookout for new and creative ways to prepare and decorate! This year I am in love with decoupage pumpkins!

My inspiration for these easy DIY decoupage pumpkins came from Better Homes and Gardens magazine, but, I wanted to figure out a way that would be easier me. I’m a busy mom on the go and I my crafting time is limited. I wanted to find a way to do these quick and easy, but still look great. Here is my take.

Supplies:

• One (or more!) plastic pumpkins.
  Michaels carries a lot of these and with a coupon it’s a good deal! You could always use a real pumpkin, but I like the idea of being able to use this year after year.
• Mod Podge (I prefer matte)
• Paint Brush (for the mod podge)
• Your favorite printed paper napkins.
  Fun napkins are readily available all over! (Target, Walmart, or these cute ones on Amazon here and here.)

This is actually super easy to do and it makes a big impact! First take your napkins and cut out whatever pieces you are going to want on your pumpkin. For a time saver lay them out in the order you want to put them on. I find that the smaller the pieces (quarter to silver dollar size) are easier to get smooth than larger sections.

Do a thin layer of modpodge on the pumpkin in the area where you are going to do your first piece. Gently press your cutout piece of napkin on the pumpkin and run your fingers over it to get it as smooth as possible.

Next do a light coat of modpodge over the napkin. Start in the center of your design and brush outwards so that the napkin doesn’t fold under itself.

I found with my larger pieces it wrinkled up really easily but I liked the look with my harvest theme. If I were to do a patterned one I would use smaller pieces that would be easier to get smooth!

Repeat and go section by section until you are happy! Let it dry then do a light coat over the entire pumpkin. Let it dry then display!

Voila! Super easy and super affordable! This whole craft cost me less than $10 and I have some cute napkins left over for Thanksgiving dinner to match my centerpiece!

Let me know if you make this craft! I’d love to see how yours turn out!

Are you hosting dinner at your home this year or will you be heading out to enjoy the holiday?