13 Fun Thanksgiving Kids Table Decor Ideas & Activities 2025

Q: How do I make a kids' Thanksgiving table fun on a budget?

To make a fun table on a budget, focus on DIY, free, and natural resources. Use a roll of brown kraft paper as a multi-purpose tablecloth and coloring surface. Search online for the countless free printable coloring pages, placemats, and games available. Go on a pre-Thanksgiving nature walk with the kids to collect pinecones and colorful leaves for simple, no-cost craft supplies. Dollar stores are also excellent sources for inexpensive craft materials, festive paper goods, and small treats.

Q: What are good activities to keep toddlers busy at Thanksgiving dinner?

For toddlers, you should choose simple, safe, and sensory-focused activities that don't require complex instructions. Large, chunky crayons on a paper tablecloth are perfect for little hands. You can also provide soft felt shapes they can stick to a felt board or even just the table. A simple snack craft is also a great idea, like building a "turkey" with apple slices for the body, pretzel sticks for legs, and raisins for the eyes. Avoid activities with very small pieces that could be a choking hazard.

Q: How can I make the kids' table feel special and not like an afterthought?

The key is to give their table a distinct, fun theme and add personalized touches. Use coordinated, kid-friendly decorations, even if they're simple DIY projects. Personalizing items like name cards, special cups, or chair backers goes a long way in making a child feel important. Most importantly, involving the kids in the process by letting them help make a craft for their own table—like the felt garland or pinecone turkeys—gives them a wonderful sense of pride and ownership over their special space.

Struggling to keep the little ones entertained at Thanksgiving dinner? You’ve planned the menu for weeks, brined the turkey, and chilled the wine. But as guests arrive, a familiar sense of dread creeps in: how will you manage a peaceful, adult conversation with a table full of restless children? Keeping young guests happily occupied during a long holiday meal can feel like an impossible task, often leading to interruptions, messes, and stress for everyone involved.

The secret to a truly relaxing Thanksgiving is a spectacular kids’ table that blends functional decor with engaging activities. By creating a designated space that’s just for them—filled with simple crafts, doodle-friendly surfaces, and fun games—you can transform potential chaos into cherished holiday memories, allowing you to actually enjoy your own meal. As a parent who has hosted many Thanksgiving dinners, I know this secret well, and these are my go-to, tried-and-true ideas.

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Planning the Perfect Kids’ Table Layout & Essentials

For a functional Thanksgiving kids’ table, choose a safe location away from foot traffic, use age-appropriate seating with plenty of elbow room, and opt for unbreakable dinnerware made from materials like bamboo or silicone for safety. Before you dive into the fun decorations and crafts, laying a solid foundation is crucial for a smooth and stress-free meal. A well-planned layout prevents spills, squabbles, and safety hazards, making the experience more enjoyable for both kids and adults.

Here is a simple checklist to get the essentials right:

Location, Location, Location: Set up the kids’ table in a spot that is within your line of sight but out of the main kitchen-to-dining-table traffic path. This allows you to keep an eye on them without creating a bottleneck for serving food. A corner of the dining room or an adjacent living area works perfectly.
Age-Appropriate Seating: Ensure the table and chairs are the right size for your smallest guests. A wobbly chair or a table that’s too high can lead to frustration and accidents. If you don’t have a dedicated kids’ table set, consider using sturdy booster seats at the main table or a low-to-the-ground coffee table where they can sit on cushions.
Give Them Space: Kids need elbow room, especially when they’re eating and crafting. Avoid overcrowding the table. Make sure each child has their own defined space to minimize conflicts over territory and spilled drinks.
Unbreakable is Best: This is the golden rule of the kids’ table. Opt for durable and safe dinnerware. Plates and cups made from non-toxic silicone, bamboo fiber, or high-quality plastic are fantastic choices. They are lightweight, easy for little hands to manage, and won’t shatter if they take a tumble.

13 Fun & Easy Thanksgiving Kids Table Decor Ideas & Activities for 2025

Now for the fun part! The key to a successful Thanksgiving kids’ table is transforming it into a hub of entertainment. The goal is to provide a mix of decorations that double as activities, simple crafts they can do independently, and engaging games to play while they wait for dinner. I’ve curated these 13 ideas based on years of hosting family holidays; they are chosen for their simplicity, budget-friendliness, and high engagement factor, ensuring maximum fun with minimal stress for you.

1. The Ultimate Doodle-Ready Kraft Paper Runner

The easiest way to create an interactive and festive table is to use a roll of kraft paper as both a tablecloth and a giant canvas. This simple idea is a true game-changer, providing endless entertainment from the moment the kids sit down until the last piece of pie is gone. Plus, cleanup is a breeze—just roll it up and toss it!

Pin this easy idea for a stress-free Thanksgiving!

Materials Needed: Roll of brown or white kraft paper, tape, washable crayons or markers, a protective vinyl tablecloth (optional).
Step-by-Step Directions:
1. For extra protection against spills, lay down a vinyl or oilcloth tablecloth first. This makes post-dinner cleanup even easier.
2. Roll out the kraft paper to cover the entire length of the table, leaving a few inches of overhang on each end and the sides.
3. Secure the paper firmly to the underside of the table with tape. This is important to prevent it from slipping and sliding around during dinner.
4. Place jars or cups filled with washable crayons and markers in the center of the table so they are within easy reach for everyone.
5. To spark their creativity, you can pre-draw some Thanksgiving outlines like turkeys, pumpkins, and leaves, or write fun prompts like “Draw what you’re thankful for…” or “Design your dream Thanksgiving meal!”

Pro-Tip: Use painter’s tape to secure the paper. It holds well during dinner but removes easily from furniture without leaving any sticky residue behind.

2. Free Printable Thanksgiving Activity Placemats

A fantastic, low-effort solution for instant entertainment is to place a printable activity placemat at each child’s setting. These placemats are packed with fun games like mazes, word searches, tic-tac-toe, and large Thanksgiving-themed illustrations to color. It’s a perfect way to keep them engaged while waiting for food to be served.

Click here to download our FREE printable placemats!

Materials Needed: Computer and printer, white paper (standard or cardstock), our free printable PDF, colored pencils or crayons.
Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Download the free Thanksgiving Activity Placemat printable [Link to printable].
2. Print one placemat for each child who will be at the table. If you want them to be a bit more durable, use a slightly thicker paper like cardstock.
3. Set one at each place setting before the children arrive.
4. Provide a small cup or box of colored pencils or crayons for each child, or place a large, shared pot of supplies in the center of the table.

Pro-Tip: Print a few extra copies. They’re perfect for any unexpected young guests, for siblings who want to trade designs, or if a child wants to do a second one after dinner!

3. Interactive Crayon & Craft Supply Centerpiece

Your centerpiece can be more than just decorative; it can be a functional and interactive hub for all their creative supplies. Instead of a floral arrangement that can easily get knocked over, create a low, stable centerpiece that holds everything they need for their crafts and coloring activities.

Save this functional centerpiece idea to your Thanksgiving board!

Materials Needed: A low tray or shallow basket, 3-4 mason jars or sturdy cups, washable crayons, washable markers, colored pencils, optional: battery-operated flameless candles.
Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Choose a tray with a flat, stable base. A wooden serving tray or a wicker basket works well.
2. Place the mason jars or sturdy plastic cups onto the tray.
3. Fill each jar with a different type of art supply—one for crayons, one for markers, one for colored pencils. This keeps things organized and easy for kids to find what they’re looking for.
4. Arrange the jars on the tray and fill in the empty spaces with festive, kid-safe items like small gourds, mini velvet pumpkins, or large felt leaves.
5. For a magical touch that’s completely safe, add a battery-operated flameless candle in another empty mason jar.

Pro-Tip: Use a tray with handles. It makes it incredibly easy to move the entire centerpiece off the table when it’s time to serve the main course and then place it right back for post-dinner crafting.

4. Adorable DIY Turkey Place Cards

Make each child feel special by creating personalized turkey-shaped place cards that also serve as a fun pre-dinner craft. This simple project not only helps with seating arrangements but also gives the kids a creative task to focus on as soon as they arrive.

A perfect craft for little hands! Pin it for later.

Materials Needed: Brown, red, orange, and yellow construction paper; scissors; glue stick; googly eyes; black marker.
Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Fold a piece of brown construction paper in half to create a tent card that can stand on its own.
2. Trace and cut out a simple turkey body shape (like a peanut or a figure 8) from another piece of brown paper. Glue this to the front of the folded card.
3. Cut out several feather shapes from the red, orange, and yellow paper.
4. Let the kids have fun gluing the colorful “feathers” to the back of the turkey body, fanning them out.
5. Stick on two googly eyes and use a black marker to draw on a beak and little legs.
6. Carefully write each child’s name in bold letters on the front of the card.

Pro-Tip: Pre-cut all the paper shapes for younger children so they can focus on the fun part: gluing and decorating. Older kids can get great practice with their scissor skills by cutting out the shapes themselves.

5. The Heartfelt “Thankful Chain” Craft

Introduce the spirit of the holiday with a meaningful gratitude activity that creates a beautiful, collaborative decoration. A “Thankful Chain” is a simple paper craft that encourages children to think about what they are grateful for and results in a keepsake you can display year after year.

Start a new family tradition! Save this meaningful craft idea.

Materials Needed: Construction paper in fall colors (red, orange, yellow, brown), scissors or a paper cutter, markers or pens, a stapler or glue stick.
Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Cut the construction paper into uniform strips, about 1.5 inches wide and 8 inches long. A paper cutter makes this step very fast.
2. Place the pile of colorful strips in a basket on the table along with some markers or pens.
3. Instruct the children (and adults!) to write or draw something they are thankful for on each strip of paper. Prompts can help younger kids: “My favorite food,” “A person I love,” “My favorite toy.”
4. Take the first strip and form it into a circle, securing the ends together with a dab of glue or a single staple.
5. Loop the next written-on strip through the first circle and then secure its ends.
6. Continue adding links to the chain, watching it grow longer with every expression of gratitude. The final chain can be used as a centerpiece or garland for the table.

Lesson Learned: This activity is a fantastic conversation starter. After dinner, go around the table and have each child read a few links from their section of the chain. It’s a heartwarming way to end the meal.

6. Adorable Pinecone Turkey Friends

This classic Thanksgiving craft is popular for a reason: it’s a simple, nature-inspired activity that kids of all ages enjoy. Send the kids on a backyard scavenger hunt for pinecones before dinner, then let them transform their treasures into a flock of festive turkey friends to decorate their table.

The cutest Thanksgiving craft! Pin this DIY idea now.

Materials Needed: Pinecones, small craft feathers in fall colors, googly eyes, orange or yellow craft foam or construction paper, kid-safe tacky glue or a low-temp hot glue gun (with adult supervision).
Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Make sure the pinecones are clean from dirt and completely dry. If they are closed, you can bake them on a foil-lined sheet at 200°F for about 30 minutes to open them up.
2. Select 3-5 colorful craft feathers to create the turkey’s tail. Apply a bit of glue to the wide back end of the pinecone and tuck the ends of the feathers into the scales.
3. Glue two googly eyes onto the front (the narrow end) of the pinecone.
4. Cut a tiny triangle from the orange or yellow foam or paper for the beak and glue it on just below the eyes.
5. Let the glue dry completely. Soon, the kids will have a whole flock of turkey friends to use as decorations or for imaginative play.

Pro-Tip: If the pinecones are wobbly and won’t stand up straight, create a stable base by gluing a small, flat “foot” made from a piece of cardboard or a small wood slice to the bottom.

7. Thanksgiving Bingo with Candy Markers

A simple game is the perfect way to occupy a group of children, and Thanksgiving-themed Bingo with edible markers is always a huge hit. It’s easy enough for young children to understand and engaging enough to hold their attention while they wait for dinner to start or for the adults to finish their meal.

The perfect game to play while waiting for dinner! Save this.

Materials Needed: Free printable Thanksgiving Bingo cards and call sheet, scissors, a small bowl for each child, “markers” like candy corn, M&Ms, raisins, or goldfish crackers.
Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Search online for “free printable Thanksgiving Bingo cards” and print a set. Make sure each card is slightly different so you don’t have everyone winning at once.
2. Cut out the individual images or words from the call sheet and place them in a hat, bowl, or small bag.
3. Give each child a Bingo card and a small bowl filled with their edible markers.
4. Designate an older child or an adult as the “caller.” The caller pulls one item from the hat and announces it to the players.
5. The children find the corresponding square on their card and place a candy marker on it.
6. The first child to get five markers in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) yells “BINGO!” and wins a small prize (or just the glory of winning!).

Lesson Learned: Using edible markers is a total game-changer. It adds an extra layer of fun and means there are no small plastic pieces to lose—just yummy ones to eat when the game is over!

8. Simple DIY Felt Leaf Garland

For a simple decorative craft that older kids can help create, a beautiful felt leaf garland adds a soft, handmade touch to their table. This is a great activity for children who have mastered their scissor skills and enjoy projects with a few simple steps.

A sweet decoration they can help make! Pin this craft.

Materials Needed: Felt sheets in various fall colors (red, orange, yellow, brown, green), leaf templates (you can find these online) or freehand drawing skills, fabric scissors, a single hole punch, twine or ribbon.
Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Print out some simple leaf templates (maple, oak, and birch are great shapes). Trace the shapes onto the felt sheets with a marker.
2. Carefully cut out the felt leaves. This step is best for kids who are confident and safe with scissors.
3. Using a single hole punch, make a hole near the stem of each felt leaf.
4. Cut a length of twine or ribbon that is long enough to hang across the front of the kids’ table or drape along its center.
5. Have the kids thread the twine through the holes in the leaves, encouraging them to create a pattern or just string them on randomly. Space them out as they go.
6. Once all the leaves are on, tie or tape the finished garland to the front edge of the kids’ table for a festive and personal touch.

Pro-Tip: Let the kids take the lead in deciding the color pattern for the garland. It gives them a wonderful sense of ownership and pride over the final decoration.

9. Special Monogrammed Chair Backers

To make each child’s spot feel truly special and designated, create personalized, monogrammed chair backers. This elegant touch makes the kids’ table feel thoughtfully planned and gives each child a clear place to sit, which can help prevent any “who sits where” arguments.

Make every child feel extra special. Save this idea!

Materials Needed: Pre-made canvas or burlap chair backers (available at craft stores) or you can sew your own, large letter stencils, acrylic craft paint in fall colors, a stencil brush or sponge.
Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Lay the chair backer flat on a protected surface like newspaper or a plastic tablecloth.
2. Place the stencil for the child’s first initial in the center of the backer. You can use masking tape to hold it securely in place.
3. Pour a small amount of paint onto a paper plate. Using a stencil brush or sponge, dab a small amount of paint over the stencil. Use a straight up-and-down pouncing motion to prevent the paint from bleeding under the stencil’s edges.
4. Apply one or two coats, then carefully lift the stencil straight up. Allow the paint to dry completely according to the paint’s instructions.
5. Repeat the process for each child’s initial.
6. Once dry, simply slip the finished backers over each chair at the kids’ table.

Pro-Tip: If you’re short on time or not feeling crafty, you can achieve a similar look by using large wooden letters from a craft store. Simply paint them and then tie one to the back of each chair with a festive, wide ribbon.

10. Peanuts® Themed Turkey Treat Cups

A fun treat holder that doubles as a decoration is the perfect incentive to get kids excited about coming to the table. These adorable turkey cups, with a nostalgic Peanuts® theme, can be filled with a small snack to tide them over until the main event.

A perfect treat to get them seated! Pin this cute idea.

Materials Needed: Brown paper cups, googly eyes, construction paper (red, orange, yellow), Peanuts® Thanksgiving themed stickers, glue, kid-friendly snacks (goldfish crackers, popcorn, candy corn, pretzels).
Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Glue two googly eyes to the front of a brown paper cup.
2. Cut a small wattle shape (like a teardrop) from red paper and a tiny triangle beak from orange paper, then glue them on just below the eyes.
3. Let the kids have fun decorating the rest of the cup with festive Peanuts® character stickers featuring Snoopy, Woodstock, and the gang.
4. For an extra touch, trace each child’s hand on colored paper, cut them out to be the turkey’s “feathers,” and glue them to the back of the cup.
5. Just before seating, fill each cup with snacks and place one at each child’s seat as a welcome surprise.

Lesson Learned: Having a small, pre-portioned snack like this ready at their seat can be a lifesaver. It effectively prevents the “I’m hungry!” complaints while the main meal is still being prepared and brought to the table.

11. Handprint Turkey Keepsake Napkins

Create a beautiful and functional keepsake by making personalized handprint turkey napkins with non-toxic fabric paint. This is a craft that captures a moment in time, and you’ll love pulling out these sweet napkins year after year to see how much the little hands have grown.

Create a keepsake you’ll cherish for years. Pin it!

Materials Needed: Plain, light-colored cloth napkins (cotton or linen work best); non-toxic fabric paint in brown, red, orange, and yellow; paper plates; paintbrushes; a fine-tip fabric marker.
Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Start with clean, dry cloth napkins. It’s a good idea to wash and iron them beforehand to create a smooth surface.
2. Pour a small amount of brown fabric paint onto a paper plate. Help the child press their palm and thumb into the paint, ensuring it’s evenly coated.
3. Carefully guide their hand to press down firmly onto the center of the napkin. The palm creates the turkey’s body and the thumb makes its head and neck. Lift their hand straight up to avoid smudging.
4. Wash their hand, then have them dip their four fingertips into the other colors (red, orange, yellow) to make colorful “feathers” around the brown thumbprint body.
5. Let the paint dry completely. Once dry, use a fabric marker to add eyes, a beak, and little legs to the turkey.
6. Don’t forget to write the child’s name and the year 2025 in a corner. Follow the fabric paint’s instructions for heat setting (usually involves ironing) to make it permanent and washable.

Pro-Tip: Do this craft a day or two before Thanksgiving. This ensures the paint has ample time to dry and set completely before the big meal, preventing any smudges on little faces or clothes.

12. The Hilarious “Roll A Turkey” Dice Game

For another simple, printable game that is fun for a wide range of ages, try a “Roll A Turkey” dice game using colorful candies as the playing pieces. This game combines the luck of the dice with the fun of building a picture, and the sweet reward at the end is a big motivator.

Guaranteed giggles! Save this fun printable game.

Materials Needed: Free “Roll A Turkey” printable game sheet, one die, a bowl of colorful candy (like M&Ms or Skittles).
Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Find a free “Roll A Turkey” game sheet online and print out one for each player.
2. Give each player a small handful of colorful candies to use as their game pieces.
3. The game sheet will have a key that corresponds to the number on the die. For example, rolling a 1 means you place a red candy on a feather, rolling a 2 means you place a brown candy on the body, and so on.
4. Players take turns rolling the die and adding the correct colored candy to the corresponding part of their turkey drawing. If they roll a number for a part they’ve already filled, they lose their turn.
5. The first player to completely build their candy turkey wins the game and gets to eat their creation!

Pro-Tip: Laminate the game sheets before use. This makes them durable and reusable. You can simply wipe them clean after the game and store them with your Thanksgiving decorations to use again next year.

13. Special “Big Kid” Drinking Jars

A very simple way to make the kids’ table feel elevated and special is to serve their drinks in “big kid” cups like mason jars or indestructible copper mugs. This small detail makes them feel grown-up and included in the fancy holiday celebration.

A simple touch that makes them feel so grown-up! Pin this idea.

Materials Needed: Indestructible cups (like copper Moscow mule mugs), glass milk bottles, or small mason jars; festive paper straws; optional: twine and name tags.
Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Choose your special cup. Copper mugs are great because they are unbreakable, look fancy, and keep drinks cold. Glass milk bottles or small mason jars offer a charming, rustic-vintage feel.
2. Tie a name tag with each child’s name around the cup or jar using a piece of twine. This personalization makes it feel extra special.
3. Add a fun, colorful paper straw in a Thanksgiving pattern or color.
4. Just before the kids sit down to eat, fill the cups with a festive drink like sparkling apple cider, a special holiday punch, or even just milk to make it feel more celebratory.

Pro-Tip: Using personalized cups significantly cuts down on spills and drink mix-ups, especially when you have a full table of kids. It eliminates the “Is this my cup?” question and reduces the number of cups you have to wash at the end of the night.

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to a Fun Thanksgiving Kids Table

Planning a special table for your youngest guests doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a quick summary of the core strategies for a successful and fun Thanksgiving kids’ table:

Cover & Color: Use a kraft paper runner as a built-in activity. It’s affordable, functional decor and endless entertainment all in one.
Printables are Your Friend: Have free printable activity placemats or games like Bingo ready to go. They are a low-effort, high-reward way to keep kids busy and happy.
Make it Interactive: Design a centerpiece that holds art supplies or have a simple, ready-to-assemble craft like pinecone turkeys waiting at each place setting.
Personalize Their Space: Simple touches like DIY turkey place cards, monogrammed chair backers, or special “big kid” cups make children feel seen, important, and excited to be at their own table.
Focus on Gratitude: Gently introduce the meaning of the holiday by incorporating a simple and collaborative activity like a “Thankful Chain” craft.

@beginlearning
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♬ Cooking Time – Lux-Inspira

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to create a “perfect,” magazine-worthy kids’ table. The real goal is to create a happy, engaging, and welcoming space that allows the children to enjoy the holiday in their own way. It’s about fostering an atmosphere of fun and creating lasting memories. Embrace the joyful chaos, the crayon scribbles, and the giggles. By putting a little thought into their space, you give yourself the gift of a more peaceful meal and give them the gift of a holiday they’ll remember fondly for years to come.

What’s your family’s favorite tradition for the kids at Thanksgiving? Share your ideas in the comments below

13 Fun Thanksgiving Kids Table Decor Ideas & Activities 2025

Planning the Perfect Kids’ Table Layout & Essentials

13 Fun & Easy Thanksgiving Kids Table Decor Ideas & Activities for 2025

1. The Ultimate Doodle-Ready Kraft Paper Runner

2. Free Printable Thanksgiving Activity Placemats