Thanksgiving coloring pages bring to mind the harvest festival celebrated by the first pilgrims. Younger children can enjoy coloring simple designs, while parents or older kids can tackle more detailed sheets. If a project feels too easy, encourage your children to create a story inspired by the finished illustrations.
Top 5 Family Activities with Thanksgiving Coloring Pages
Working on DIY projects together helps children understand the value of collaboration. They learn to express gratitude, communicate their feelings, and appreciate the efforts of others.
Interactive Storybook
This activity is perfect for parents who want to involve their children in storytelling. Kids can choose which pages to color and decide how the adventure unfolds. Using Thanksgiving coloring pages, I created a story for my youngest and his friends about a hero who travels to a new land and meets Native Americans. They then suggested what should happen in the next chapter.
The interactive nature of this project encourages better communication, helps identify misunderstandings, and supports children in expressing their opinions. Even a simple plot is enough to make the activity meaningful and fun, teaching kids the importance of gratitude and participation.
Turkey-Themed Napkins
Coloring pages can be transformed into festive accessories that highlight the holiday’s history. Kids can make fun turkey napkins by cutting out their colored designs and gluing them to napkins for the table. With a little guidance, younger children can complete the task independently, practicing fine motor skills and experimenting with colors.
These napkins also make charming gifts for guests, and children can add personal touches like inscriptions or extra decorations to make each one unique.
Accordion Book
Accordion-style books, inspired by traditional Chinese designs, are a creative way for kids to make thoughtful gifts for grandparents, teachers, or friends. Children can glue Thanksgiving coloring pages onto pages, write their best wishes, and fold the sheets into an accordion.
You’ll need scissors, glue, and two pieces of sturdy cardboard for the cover. Kids can also add family photos or other decorative elements. This DIY project is affordable and allows children to express gratitude while creating a personalized, meaningful gift.
Turkey Treat Bags
Create a simple template for a turkey-shaped treat bag using brown cardstock. Add feathers, a beak, eyes, and a wattle from white cardstock, and let kids color and assemble the pieces.
Children can personalize the bags by adding cutouts from Thanksgiving coloring pages, making them ideal for teachers, friends, or family. This activity encourages participation in a larger project while giving children a sense of accomplishment and pride.
Themed Headbands
Whether crafting a pilgrim-style hat or a turkey headband, children can decorate their accessories with elements from the coloring pages. These headbands are perfect for holiday celebrations, short family plays, or storytelling sessions that teach kids about Thanksgiving traditions.
Simply cut out a band from a coloring page, add the desired elements, and glue them in place. You can also enlarge specific pages, like a pilgrim’s hat, to create the perfect accessory. This fun, inexpensive project allows children to show creativity while learning about the holiday.
These family-friendly activities turn simple Thanksgiving coloring pages into creative keepsakes, interactive learning tools, and festive decorations—all while helping kids develop skills, express gratitude, and spend quality time together.