3 Thanksgiving Centerpieces You Can Make With Kids

Encourage the inner Michelangelo in your child to create this adorable gourd grouping. Kids can make goofy faces to represent each one of the real-life characters that'll sit around your Thanksgiving table. Go one step further by inscribing guests' names on your creations and setting one gourd at every seat. See supplies below.

What You'll Need:
Several Gourds in various shapes, colors and sizes
Votive candle containers in various shapes, colors and sizes
Fun Foam sheets in desired colors
Googly eyes
Pom Poms
Feathers
Pipe Cleaners
Glue
Scissors
Pinking shears and paper edgers
Awl

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Arrange ghourds in cups to find the right size cup for each and to find "face" front. Use a small bowl or cup to trace circle shapes onto foam. Circles should be slightly larger than the opening of each votive cup. Let kids cut out shapes using pinking shears or paper edgers.

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Parents only...use an awl to create holes for adding pipe cleaner "hair" and "noses."

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Parents only...use an awl to create holes for inserting feathers into gourds. Then pass along the gourds to the true artists...the kids...and see what takes shape.

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Place gourd on surface and use tacky glue to adhere googly eyes. Let dry.

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Use adhesive backed Fun Foam...or any accoutrements you can think of...to make hats, collars, mustaches, etc.

To make a top hat, cut one 4-inch by 2-inch strip from black adhesive foam. Peel off backing and curl to create a tube. Stick one end to the other by slightly overlapping ends. Use tube as a pattern to create and cut a circle for top of hat. Use a cup slightly larger than tube to create and cut a hat base. Peel off backing and adhere top to tube, use glue to secure. Use glue to adhere tube to the base to create hat.

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To make a Native American headdress, cut a 1/4" by 3-inch strip from foam. Peel off backing and curl to create a tube. Stick one end to the other by slightly overlapping ends. Place on gourd "head" and insert feathers into the gourd at the back.

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You're finished. Group your Goofy Gourds at the center of the table, or set one at each place setting. Kids will love creating characters for each family member and guest.

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Here's another fun idea -- a turkey gourd!

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For your smarty pants kid....

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Remember making those crepe paper flowers when you were young? Pass along the tradition by twisting and tying some Thanksgiving blooms with your kids. These oversized blossoms are so easy to make. Plus the large scale means you only have to make a few -- an important factor when you're working with short attention spans. See supplies list below.

What You'll Need:
2 package 16-piece Luncheon Napkins, about 8 1/4" x 4 1/4" folded (each package will make four flowers)
Green tissue paper
Pipe Cleaners, brown and green
Ruler
Scissors
Floral Picks, about 12 inches long
Floral tape
Tin Container
Spray Paint, 2 tonal or contrasting colors
Painters tape, 1 inch
1 Block Floral Foam
Glue

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Cut several brown/rust pipe cleaners in half. Make a small loop at one end of each to make three flower centers. Unfold four luncheon napkins (about 8 1/4" x 4 1/4" folded) and cut along folds to make three, 16 1/2" strips from each. If kids are old enough to cut straight lines they can certainly help with this task.

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Younger kids can get involved twisting each paper strip at the center point so that right sides face out, then fold in half lengthwise to form petals. Make 12 petals.

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This part takes some strength, so it's probably best done by an adult. With one hand, hold three brown pipe cleaner centers. Gather the bottom of each petal. Begin by placing one petal around pipe cleaner centers, holding firmly at base. Continue adding each folded strip to the bunch until there are twelve.

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Wrap a pipe cleaner around the base of the gathered petals several times, then twist tightly to secure.

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Now make 2 to 3 leaves from green tissue paper in the same manner as the flower petals. Secure one leaf at a time to the base of the flower by wrapping floral tape around the base of the leaf and flower. Repeat to add one or two more leaves. Again, this is a step for Mom, Dad or an adult.

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Next, dab one end of a wooden floral pick (about 12 inches) in glue and insert it into the center base of the flower until secure (about 2 1/2 inches). Wrap entire base of flower with floral tape and extend down the pick to secure stem. Repeat the above steps to make about 6 to 8 flowers.

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To make the tonal striped container, an adult should spray a low long aluminum container (about 12 to 14 inches in length) with cherry red spray paint. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly (overnight). Use 1-inch painter's tape to create stripes around container.

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Using darker color paint, spray over taped lines. Again, allow the paint to dry thoroughly. Carefully peel tape back in a downward motion to reveal stripes.

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You're finished!

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Invite little ones to help create this sweet project and they'll gladly lend a hand--and several sticky fingers. It's fun for the whole family. Honey coated nuts are stuck unto a Styrofoam cone base to create and Edible Nut Tree. Leave it on the table come dessert time and pick at your masterpiece one nut at a time... See supplies below.

What You'll Need
Styrofoam Cone in desired size
Shelled Nuts, different varieties
Honey, lots
Fruit Rolls ups
Saucepan
Bowls
Wooden Spoons
Decorative Plate

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Place Styrofoam cone in center of a decorative plate. Unpeel fruit rolls ups and wrap around cone, covering surface. Secure by overlapping and sticking ends to one another.

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Place shelled nut varieties into separate bowls. In a medium saucepan, heat honey, stirring often. Do not boil. Pour honey over nuts in each bowl reserving some plain honey in pan. Mix honey into nuts so they are coated well. Allow to sit and cool (the honey gets stickier as it sits and adheres better).

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When honey is tacky but still spreadable, use a spoon to gently coat "tree" with a thin layer of plain honey. Let cool (at least 1 hour). Allowing the honey to cool makes it tackier and will prevent the nuts from slipping down the tree.

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Now comes the fun part. Bring in the little hands. Using cleaned fingers and spoons, add nuts in bands around tree. Make patterns or adhere randomly. Use back of spoon to gently push into shape. Make sure the layers are thin to avoid slipping.

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You're finished. Enjoy!

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