One of the most enjoyable ways to engage residents during Thanksgiving is through crafts.

These activities not only keep seniors busy but also stimulate creativity, enhance fine motor skills, and provide opportunities for social interaction.

If you own or manage an assisted living facility and are looking for ways to make Thanksgiving memorable for your residents, here are some of the best Thanksgiving craft ideas that seniors can enjoy, from festive decorations to creative keepsakes.

These activities are designed to be safe, enjoyable, and engaging, ensuring that everyone can participate and celebrate the season in a meaningful way.

Best Thanksgiving Craft Ideas for Seniors in Assisted Living

1. Handprint Turkey Craft

Seniors can trace or paint their handprints to create colorful turkey feathers on paper or cardstock.

Each handprint represents a feather, and the center can be decorated with a turkey body using paint, markers, or felt.

This craft is simple, safe, and engaging, promoting fine motor skills and creativity.

Handprint turkeys also evoke nostalgia and provide a personal keepsake for residents. Displaying the finished artwork around the facility adds a festive touch.

2. Thanksgiving Wreaths

Create autumn-themed wreaths using paper, felt, or faux leaves. Residents can add embellishments like pinecones, ribbons, or small pumpkins.

Wreath-making fosters creativity and hand-eye coordination while producing festive décor.

These wreaths can decorate doors, hallways, or common areas, spreading holiday cheer throughout the facility.

Working on wreaths encourages social interaction, conversation, and collaboration, making it an engaging and fulfilling Thanksgiving craft for all residents.

3. Paper Plate Turkeys

Using paper plates, paint, and construction paper, seniors can craft turkeys by attaching feather cutouts around the plate’s edge and adding a face in the center.

This simple craft is easy to manage, even for residents with limited dexterity. Paper plate turkeys can be decorated with glitter, markers, or stickers.

Finished turkeys can be displayed in dining areas, residents’ rooms, or bulletin boards, enhancing the festive atmosphere and giving seniors a sense of accomplishment.

4. Pinecone Pilgrims

Transform pinecones into pilgrim figurines using felt, paint, and glue. Seniors can add small hats, faces, and clothing details to create festive characters.

This craft encourages fine motor skills, creativity, and attention to detail. Pinecone pilgrims make unique decorations for tables, shelves, or display areas.

Residents can collaborate on designs, share ideas, and enjoy the tactile experience of crafting.

These charming figures become memorable keepsakes while fostering engagement and holiday spirit.

5. Leaf Stamping

Seniors can use real or faux leaves to create stamped artwork on paper or fabric.

Paint is applied to the leaf surface and pressed onto the chosen medium, producing beautiful patterns.

This activity stimulates creativity, enhances hand-eye coordination, and allows residents to explore colors and textures.

Leaf stamping can be used to make cards, placemats, or wall art for Thanksgiving décor. The craft is simple, safe, and adaptable for different skill levels.

6. Gratitude Trees

Create a gratitude tree by drawing a tree on paper or cardboard, then attaching paper leaves where residents write what they are thankful for.

This craft encourages reflection, mindfulness, and social sharing among participants.

It is a meaningful activity that fosters emotional well-being and connection with others.

Seniors can decorate the leaves with colors, stickers, or drawings, making each tree unique.

This project combines creativity with a purposeful, reflective activity for Thanksgiving.

7. Turkey Centerpieces

Seniors can make tabletop turkey centerpieces using paper, felt, or small gourds. Decorate with feathers, buttons, and other embellishments.

These centerpieces add charm to dining tables and common areas during Thanksgiving meals.

Residents can personalize each centerpiece, choosing colors and materials. Group sessions foster collaboration, conversation, and a sense of accomplishment.

8. Pilgrim Hats

Create miniature pilgrim hats using construction paper or felt. Seniors can cut, assemble, and decorate hats with buckles, ribbons, or glitter.

These can be used as table décor, wearable crafts, or added to other Thanksgiving displays.

It is also a playful, nostalgic project that can prompt conversation about Thanksgiving traditions.

Pilgrim hats are simple, low-cost, and enjoyable, providing residents with tangible results that contribute to the festive atmosphere.

9. Turkey Hand Puppets

Seniors can craft hand puppets using paper bags, felt, or socks. Add eyes, beaks, and colorful feathers to create playful turkey characters.

This interactive craft encourages creativity, storytelling, and fine motor skills.

The tactile, hands-on nature of the activity engages multiple senses, making it both fun and therapeutic.

Finished puppets provide a creative outlet and can be shared as gifts or used in communal activities.

10. Acorn Decorations

Collect or purchase acorns to create ornaments, garlands, or table décor. Seniors can paint, glitter, or glue small embellishments onto the acorns.

This craft encourages dexterity, attention to detail, and creativity. Finished acorn decorations can be displayed in bowls, on wreaths, or as part of table settings.

Acorn crafts are simple, affordable, and safe for residents. They provide a tactile experience that stimulates multiple senses while celebrating autumn.

11. Paper Cornucopia

Craft a paper cornucopia using rolled paper or cardstock, then fill it with paper fruits, vegetables, or leaves. Seniors can decorate the cornucopia with paint, glitter, or ribbons.

This activity fosters creativity, fine motor skills, and engagement while celebrating Thanksgiving abundance.

Finished cornucopias can decorate tables, hallways, or communal areas. Residents enjoy arranging the “harvest” and personalizing their creations.

The craft also provides a visual representation of gratitude and harvest themes, encouraging conversation and festive spirit.

12. Thanksgiving Cards

Seniors can design handmade cards for family, friends, or fellow residents using paper, stickers, and markers.

Include seasonal motifs such as turkeys, leaves, pumpkins, or cornucopias.

Cards can be personalized with messages of gratitude, spreading holiday cheer.

This craft encourages social connection, reflection, and a sense of accomplishment. Handmade cards also provide residents with meaningful gifts to share.

13. Pumpkin Painting

Provide mini pumpkins for residents to paint with acrylics, markers, or stickers. Seniors can create festive designs, patterns, or even faces.

Pumpkin painting encourages creativity, concentration, and dexterity while producing seasonal décor.

Finished pumpkins can be displayed on tables, windowsills, or common areas, adding warmth to the facility.

Pumpkins are affordable, safe, and versatile, making this craft accessible to residents with varying abilities.

14. Leaf Garland

Create a garland by cutting leaf shapes from colored paper or felt. Seniors can decorate the leaves and string them together for display.

Leaf garlands can adorn hallways, doors, or common areas. This activity promotes creativity, fine motor coordination, and social engagement.

Leaf garlands are simple, festive, and inexpensive, providing seniors with a rewarding craft that enhances the Thanksgiving atmosphere and showcases their artistic contributions.

15. Turkey Magnets

Make turkey-shaped magnets using felt, foam, or clay. Seniors can decorate the turkeys with paint, feathers, or buttons and attach a magnet to the back.

This craft encourages fine motor skills, creativity, and attention to detail. Finished magnets can be displayed on refrigerators, boards, or given as gifts.

The tactile nature of the materials engages multiple senses, while the project fosters pride and accomplishment as residents create unique, personalized decorations for Thanksgiving.

16. Gratitude Jars

Provide jars where seniors can write what they are thankful for on slips of paper.

Decorate the jars with ribbons, stickers, or seasonal designs. This craft promotes reflection, mindfulness, and positive emotions.

Residents can share their gratitude notes with the group or keep them private. Gratitude jars are simple, meaningful, and adaptable to different abilities.

They combine crafting with personal reflection, encouraging seniors to engage in a purposeful, festive activity that celebrates the spirit of Thanksgiving.

17. Corn Husk Dolls

Seniors can fashion traditional Thanksgiving-style dolls, decorating them with paint or small accessories.

This tactile craft enhances creativity, fine motor coordination, and attention to detail.

Corn husk dolls can be displayed as décor, used in storytelling, or gifted to family members.

The craft provides a nostalgic, hands-on experience, connecting residents to traditional autumn and harvest activities.

It encourages social interaction and discussion of Thanksgiving history while allowing seniors to produce charming, handmade keepsakes.

18. Turkey Placemats

Design placemats using paper, felt, or laminated materials. Seniors can decorate them with turkey motifs, leaves, and festive colors.

Finished placemats can be used during Thanksgiving meals or displayed in communal areas. Residents can collaborate on group designs or individual creations.

Turkey placemats are practical, visually appealing, and meaningful, enhancing the holiday atmosphere while providing a creative and enjoyable activity for seniors.

19. Paper Acorns

Make decorative acorns using paper, felt, or foam. Seniors can color, paint, or embellish them with glitter and stickers. These acorns can be used for centerpieces, garlands, or table décor.

The craft promotes creativity, fine motor skills, and engagement while celebrating autumn.

Paper acorns are safe, inexpensive, and easy to personalize. Residents enjoy arranging them in displays or gifting them to others.

This project also encourages conversation about seasonal traditions and provides a satisfying tactile experience.

20. Turkey Garland

Create a festive garland by cutting turkey shapes from paper or felt. Decorate with feathers, paint, or markers, and string them together for display.

Turkey garlands add charm to walls, windows, or tables while promoting creativity and social interaction.

Seniors can personalize each turkey, making the project inclusive and engaging.

Crafting garlands encourages fine motor coordination and collaborative participation.

Finished garlands provide colorful, thematic décor for the facility, enhancing the Thanksgiving atmosphere.