The Wonder of Imagination for Thanksgiving

God is Creator. God created ALL of creation and that includes each and every one of His children. Wow. If you sit back and think about every single thing God created, it can be overwhelming … but it can also be inspiring.

God created each of us to be creators as we are all created in His image. He made us on purpose for a purpose. How incredible is that?

Children are equipped with what can seem like unlimited imaginations. They have an incredible ability to stretch their minds and be filled with the wonder of all that is around them. One way to harness that imagination is to explore creativity through art.

Turkey Crafts

What’s more Thanksgiving-y than handmade turkeys? These crafts will help get the children in your ministry into the Thanksgiving spirit!

This cute Thanksgiving turkey puppet not only makes something fun for kids to play with, it’s a great way to exercise gratitude!
Kids can make this adorable turkey ring with only a pom ball, googly eyes, fuzzy sticks, and pieces of foam! Because they are easy to make, kids can make one for a friend too.
These vibrant coffee filter turkeys are easy to make and fun to look at, so kids will be excited to share them. Get the directions.
Turkey Day favors are a fun craft to make for kids to keep for themselves or give to a friend! Because giving to others is a great thing to learn to do!
Use your students’ handprints to create turkey feathers and pin them to a headband that kids can run around in! And because running around is fun, they are sure to be a hit! Find out how to make the Thanksgiving headbands here.
This turkey craft only takes some simple cutting and coloring to turn regular paper into an awesome sitting turkey, so this craft is a keeper.
Try this sponge painting technique to make turkeys out of paper plates! Here are the instructions.

Gobble Gathering

girl holding 'I'm thankful' sign and looking at camera during Thanksgiving meal with her parents — Image Credit: skynesher/E+/Getty Images

There are many ways to share these craft ideas with the families you serve. You can have a Gobble Gathering on a designated night in a large room at your church. Invite families to come together or host a special kids-only event. Serve a simple snack like individual cups of popcorn and apple cider as you welcome everyone. Several tables can be set up throughout the room with a different craft at each table. Participants can rotate around the room, choosing crafts they would like to create.

Here’s a prayer you can use to kick off the event: God, You are so wonderful! Thank You for bringing us all together to use our creativity and imaginations. You are the ultimate creator and You created each one of us to create as well. Bless our time together. Amen.

Another option is to create Craft Kits and send home a small bag of supplies for one of the crafts so families can create them together. You can also choose to send the above links to families via email, text, or within any group chats you have for your ministry.

However you choose to share, encourage your families and kids to embrace the creativity that our loving Creator God has shared with each of them.