Three Easy, Fun and Meaningful Thanksgiving Crafts to Do with Kids

The World Wide Web is chock full of no-cost Thanksgiving images that have a variety of fun uses. They can be used to impart a traditional Thanksgiving feel on web pages or blogs, or can be pressed into service for those old-time favorites: Thanksgiving crafts. As an example, crafts made from antique Thanksgiving postcards are easy-as-pie, because vintage images are versatile and also quite effective when it comes to delivering a message. Because of their age, these images can also be downloaded and used without fear of consequences stemming from copyright infringement.

Just a quick Web search with the search term “vintage Thanksgiving cards” will give you a huge number of free vintage images from which many cool crafts projects can be made. And, of course, if you don't like vintage, contemporary free digital Thanksgiving images or fall clipart can also be used to produce beautiful craft projects.

Here are some examples of simple projects virtually kids and teens can make by using free images found on the Internet:

* We're so Thankful Garlands *
Making thankful garlands can be as easy as having your guests write all the blessings they're grateful for in their lives. Then, just print some vintage Thanksgiving cards and with the help of tiny clothespins, add the vintage cards and the leaves, alternating them onto a piece of yarn or ribbon. In the absence of clothespins, you can use paper clips, colorful clamps you can get at the office supply store or tape to hold everything in place. Another option to consider would be to alternate Thanksgiving clip art with the leaves, instead of using the vintage cards. Once the garland is completed, hang it from a windowsill or a mantelpiece so your guests can be proud of what they created!

* Handmade Thanksgiving Greeting Cards *
When you've downloaded the Thanksgiving image you'd like to use, paste it into a word processing or PowerPoint document. You can make the card virtually whatever size you want using the software's settings. Position the image on one half of the card, so it can be folded in half once it's printed. Print the card on sturdy stock, fold it and use a little glitter glue to make it sparkle. You can also make your own envelopes or just get some at the dollar store.

* Thanksgiving Table Place Cards *
Some believe a Thanksgiving dinner table is bare and incomplete without table place cards. Fortunately, these can be made quite easily using vintage cards or free clip art images. Simply download the the image or images you like and insert them into a table in your word processing or other type of program. The table should have two columns and six or eight rows, depending on how long and thin you want the cards. Paste the art into every other cell, making sure there's enough room on the cards to write people's names. Then, print onto heavy card stock, cut them out using a paper cutter or a ruler and craft knife and they'll be ready to fold in half. Voila! That's it. Your holiday table will be that much more festive.

I hope you and your kids enjoy making these simple and fun Thanksgiving crafts and that you have a wonderful holiday!