Thanksgiving 2015: The Kids’ Table Revisited

Set the ultimate kids’ table for your Thanksgiving celebration this year with our easy and fun craft project picks!

Craft Paper Tablecloth

Using craft paper as a base tablecloth is a practical, easy, and fun choice. Available in large rolls at most craft stores (like Michael’s), the light brown paper is inexpensive and blends right in to an autumnal color palette. Plus, it means that kids don’t have to worry about making a mess during the meal—in fact, you can even set out a twine-wrapped jar of colored pencils and encourage young guests to doodle right on the paper. To add a pop of pattern, add a chevron table runner just through the center of the table (we found this cream and metallic one at Target).

Gratitude Tree

Before the big feast, have the kiddos work on making a gratitude tree to act as a centerpiece. First, collect sticks or twigs (try local parks or pick some up from a florist) and arrange them in a jar or vase. Once you have the tree set up, kids can make blank paper tags (we used a Fiskars Standard Tag Maker with Built-In Eyelet Setter and patterned paper from Jo-Ann Fabrics) and take turns writing things they’re thankful for. Once all the tags have been filled in, use twine or string to hang them from the tree.

Pinecone Place Cards

Set your kids’ table in a sophisticated and seasonal way with DIY pinecone place cards. First, we set our table with blue and white dishes from Fishs Eddy and cloth napkins tied with twine. For the place cards, simply gather pinecones (ours came from Prospect Park) and use punches (try Fiskars Label/Simple Double Tag Maker) and patterned paper to make name tags. Use craft glue or a small bit of double-stick tape to affix the tags to the cones. Finally, we used a Fiskars Thick Materials Punch in a star shape and metallic craft paper to make paper star shapes to adorn and accent each setting. 

Custom Cookies

If kids (or parents!) are feeling peckish before the meal officially starts, tide them over by offering a selection of seasonal custom cookies. We enlisted the help of NYC-based Tiny Kitchen Treats. They can whip up cookies in just about any shape, theme, or look—for our Thanksgiving table, we went with a white pumpkin, a sweater-clad squirrel, a classic autumn leaf, and a sweet slice of pumpkin pie. To learn more, visit tinykitchentreats.com!