5 Easy Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids With Autism

You set out the paper, find the glue stick, and picture a colorful turkey for the fridge. Your child has a different idea: lining up the feathers, choosing only blue pieces, or decorating the back of the paper.

That’s a perfectly good place to start.

Thanksgiving crafts can offer a way to spend time together before the holiday rush or during a quiet afternoon at home. The finished project doesn’t need to look a certain way. What matters is whether your child enjoys the experience.

These five Thanksgiving crafts for kids with autism use simple supplies, with options to adjust each activity to your child’s interests and preferences.

Start With Materials Your Child Enjoys

There isn’t one craft, or one set of “sensory-friendly” materials—that suits every autistic child. Some children love finger paint. Others prefer a crayon, a sticker, or watching someone else demonstrate.

Before starting:

• Offer a choice between two activities or materials.
• Show a finished example if your child finds that helpful.
• Set out a few supplies at a time.
• Keep your child’s usual communication supports available.
• Allow breaks and make it easy to stop.

Use age-appropriate, nontoxic materials, supervise scissors, and avoid small loose decorations if your child mouths objects.

1. A Paper Turkey With Colorful Feathers

This turkey starts with a paper circle and a handful of feather shapes. Your child can choose the colors, arrangement, and expression.

What you’ll need

• A sheet of paper
• A large brown paper circle
• Large paper feather shapes
• Crayons
• A glue stick or double-sided tape

How to make it

1. Attach the circle to the paper to make the turkey’s body.
2. Invite your child to choose and arrange the feathers.
3. Add eyes, a beak, and any other details they want.

Make it work for your child: Cut the shapes ahead of time if decorating is the part they enjoy. If they dislike glue, offer tape. They can also arrange and rearrange the pieces without attaching them.

A turkey with two blue feathers is just as welcome as one with a rainbow tail.

2. A “Things I Love” Thanksgiving Collage

“What are you thankful for?” can be a big question. Pictures of familiar people, places, and favorite things offer another way into the activity.

What you’ll need

• Paper or cardboard
• Printed photos or drawings
• Tape or a glue stick
• Optional crayons

How to make it

1. Gather pictures of things your child enjoys.
2. Offer a few at a time and invite them to choose.
3. Attach their selections to the board.

Make it work for your child: Accept choices through their usual way of communicating, including gestures, speech, or an AAC device. If their preference isn’t clear, give them time rather than choosing an answer for them.

The collage might feature a grandparent, a favorite bus, a pet, and the same bedtime book you read every night. There’s no need to steer it toward particular answers.

3. Thanksgiving Place Cards

Making place cards gives your child the option to contribute something personal to the table.

What you’ll need

• Large cards or folded paper
• Crayons or markers
• Large stickers
• Guest names or photos

How to make it

1. Write a guest’s name or attach their photo to a card.
2. Let your child choose how to decorate it.
3. Place the finished card at the table together, if they want to help.

Make it work for your child: Start with their own card or one for a favorite person. They can choose the sticker while you attach it, or decorate independently.

One card is enough. The activity doesn’t have to become a job to finish before dinner.

4. A Paper Leaf Wreath

A paper wreath brings autumn colors indoors without needing to collect or handle real leaves.

What you’ll need

• A large cardboard ring prepared by an adult
• Large paper leaf shapes
• Tape or a glue stick
• Optional crayons for decorating

How to make it

1. Set out a small selection of paper leaves.
2. Invite your child to arrange them around the ring.
3. Attach the leaves and choose somewhere to display the wreath.

Make it work for your child: Use smooth paper, thicker card, or another familiar material they enjoy. Offer a flat sheet of paper instead of a ring if a simpler layout works better.

Your child might prefer sorting the leaves into color groups. You can follow that interest and leave the wreath for another time.

5. A Thanksgiving Card for Someone Special

A homemade card can hold a drawing, a chosen picture, a few stickers, or a message your child asks you to write.

What you’ll need

• Folded paper or a blank card
• Your child’s preferred drawing materials
• Optional large stickers or photos

How to make it

1. Ask whether your child would like to make a card for someone.
2. Offer a few decorating choices.
3. Help add a message if they want one.

Make it work for your child: Writing isn’t required. A selected picture or drawing can be the whole card. Your child can also decide whether to give it in person, have you deliver it, or keep it.

What If Your Child Doesn’t Want to Craft?

You can put the materials away and try something else.

Reading a favorite book, listening to music, playing with familiar toys, or spending time nearby can be part of your Thanksgiving too. Crafting is an invitation, and your child’s interest may change from day to day.

If they do join in, follow their pace. Choosing a color, making a few marks, or helping for one minute can be the entire activity.

For ideas about planning gatherings around your child’s preferences, visit our holiday preparation guide for families.

Support for Your Child—and Your Family

Finding activities your child enjoys is one part of understanding what works for them. If you’re exploring ongoing support with communication, daily routines, or participation in everyday activities, Early Autism Services offers individualized ABA therapy and caregiver support.

Explore our centers in Sterling Heights, Michigan, Richmond, Virginia, Bend, Oregon, Beaverton, Oregon, and East Portland, Oregon.

Have questions about getting started? Our intake team can explain local service options, insurance verification, and next steps.

Connect With an EAS Intake Specialist