Ask A DFW Expert: Thanksgiving Crafts For Kids
Pigment School of the Arts
4605 W. Lovers Lane
Dallas, TX 75209
(214) 352-2787
www.pigmentarts.comWhen professional artist Tori Pendergrass isn't nurturing the artistic spirit in both kids and adults at her acclaimed art school, she's busy producing and showing her own fine art in galleries around the world. With simple craft supplies and a bit of imagination, Pendergrass says that these art pieces are perfect for bringing an autumn theme to your family's Turkey Day get-together.
Coffee Filter Fall LeafThe possibilities are limitless for decorating with these colorful fall leaves. String them together in a garland, use them for place cards at the table or scatter the leaves around your home for a splash of color.
Materials:
- Large or standard size coffee filter
- White school glue
- Watercolors
- Paintbrush
- Pencil
Directions:
- Using a pencil, draw a large leaf with veins on the coffee filter.
- Trace the edges and veins with glue.
- Once the glue is dry, cut the leaf out and paint with watercolors.
Tidbit TurkeyFor the decorative paper used in this craft, Pendergrass suggests using junk mail, scrapbook paper, fabric or even paint store samples.
Materials:
- Blank card-stock or construction paper
- Decorative paper in fall colors
- Googly eyes or buttons
- Glue stick
Directions:
- Cut approximately 20 feather shapes out of the decorative paper.
- Cut out a turkey's body with construction paper in the shape of a bowling pin.
- Glue the feathers on the back of the turkey's body and embellish the face with buttons or googly eyes.
Thanksgiving Table CandlesCast a warm glow on your Thanksgiving table with these faux stained glass candles that are made by overlapping strips of tissue paper to ordinary glass prayer candles. You can find clear glass prayer candles at the dollar store and at most grocery stores.
Materials:
- Clear glass prayer candles
- School glue, diluted (2/3 glue to 1/3 water)
- Tissue paper, cut into pieces
- Paintbrush
- Thin ribbon and glass beads (optional)
Directions:
- Paint the glass candles with a thin layer of glue.
- Working in small batches, add tissue pieces and cover lightly with glue being careful not to over saturate the paper.
- Once dry, tie ribbon with beads around the rim.
Corn Husk WreathThis rustic fall door wreath will wow your guests from the moment they arrive. Pendergrass says that the more husks you use, the better the wreath will turn out. You can find corn husks in the Mexican food aisle of any grocery store.
Materials:
- Corn husks, torn into 2-inch-wide strips
- Pan of water
- Wire coat hanger
- Pliers
- Masking tape
- Glitter
- School glue
- Paintbrush
Directions:
- Soak corn husks in water.
- Using pliers, form a circular hoop out of a coat hanger and secure with making tape.
- Fold corn husk in half to make a loop.
- Place under wire and then insert tail ends through the loop to make a knot.
- Repeat this step to fill entire wreath.
- Turn the wreath over to display the front. Decorate by painting on glue and adding glitter.
Thankful TreeTake the kids on a nature walk outdoors to gather bare branches for this lovely Thanksgiving table centerpiece.
Materials:
- Tree branch, approximately 2 feet long
- Flower pot, 6 inch
- Card stock in fall colors
- Tempra paint
- Floral foam
- Tissue or pebbles
- Scissors
- Hole Punch
- Paintbrushes
Directions:
- Decorate flower pot with paint or collage if desired. Let dry.
- Fill pot with floral foam, insert tree branch and cover top with pebbles or tissue.
- Draw a variety of leaves on card stock.
- Cut out leaves and have children write what they are thankful for on each leaf.
- Punch a hole in each leaf and hang on tree.
