Holiday Craft Corner

November 2024

Fall, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Crafts

During my years teaching at a day care/preschool and teaching elementary Sunday school classes, I found that boys liked to create craft projects just as much as the girls. In the fall, many parts of the country have beautiful fall evenings with cooler temperatures. Some parts of the country experience rainy or snowy nights. Some groups may want to have specific crafts, games, or snacks with a Thanksgiving or Christmas themes. Below are several craft ideas for your Ranger Kids and Discovery Rangers groups.

FALL CRAFTS

RANGER KIDS

I tried to select craft projects that K–2^nd graders could complete with little individual supervision. If you are the only leader with several boys, you will need crafts that boys can work on with some independence, allowing you to focus on the younger boys in the class.

Apple or Pumpkin Craft

The links below are for the templates. Your boys could make apples or pumpkins or both. You’ll need cardstock or construction paper (red, green, orange, brown, black, white, and pink), scissors, pencils, glue sticks, and black markers. Have apple and pumpkin templates precut. Then, have the boys trace and cut out the apples or pumpkins. The boys can use the markers to create faces on their designs, or you can review the link below to help the boys create these cute faces.

Apple Template: https://superstarworksheets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AppleOutlineTemplate.pdf

Pumpkin Template: https://www.freebiefindingmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/free-pumpkin-printable-3.pdf

Face Suggestion: https://www.simpleeverydaymom.com/paper-plate-apple-craft/

Rolled Paper Apple or Pumpkin Craft

Again, with this idea, boys can make apples or pumpkins. You can use the same templates from the previous craft for this one. You’ll need cardstock or construction paper (red, green, orange, and brown), scissors, glue sticks, stapler or tape. Depending on your time for the craft, you will want to at least precut the strips of paper in red, green, or orange. You could also make lots of the rolls by stapling or taping the pieces. During class, the boys would glue the rolls to the template and make the stem and leaves. If you have more time for the craft or can do it over two weeks, then have the boys make the rolls on week 1 and assemble the craft on week 2.

Apple Template: https://superstarworksheets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AppleOutlineTemplate.pdf

Pumpkin Template: https://www.freebiefindingmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/free-pumpkin-printable-3.pdf

Sample: https://www.craftsbyria.com/paper-apple-craft/

DISCOVERY RANGERS

I tried to select craft projects that 3^rd–5^th graders could complete with little supervision. If you are the only leader with several boys, you will need crafts that boys can work on with some independence, allowing you to focus on the boys who may need extra help.

Foil Painted Tree

This craft can take as little or as much time as you choose. You’ll need white cardstock, paper plates, paint (red, yellow, orange, and green), and aluminum foil. Don’t forget to have paint shirts or plastic trash bags for boys to wear. This craft is so easy. The boys wad up some foil, dip it in the paint, and tap it onto their tree template. I love this craft because every tree will be unique.

https://emmaowl.com/fall-tree-art-with-foil-printed-leaves/

Tree Template: https://emmaowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Apple-Tree-Plain-02.jpg

Foil Painted Tree

Tissue Paper Candy Corn

The directions I’m providing here are a modification of the link below because I’m not sure you want to go to the trouble of dying coffee filters or making a project this large. I recommend gathering the following supplies: tissue paper (white, yellow, and orange), scissors, cardstock, pencils, glue, and ribbon. You may want to bring some candy corn for inspiration (and snacking). The boys and cut or tear the tissue paper into small pieces, put glue on a small portion of the template, wrap the tissue paper around the end of the pencil, and stick to the template. Of course, if the boys don’t want to make a fluffy candy corn, they can glue the pieces of tissue paper flat to the template. You can make this something to hang by having the boys attach a loop of ribbon to the back of the candy corn. This project could be completed over two weeks. I’ve also provided a large and small candy corn template.

https://typicallysimple.com/coffee-filter-candy-corn/

Template (large): https://www.printablee.com/postpic/2010/11/candy-corn-template_369133.jpg.pdf

Template (small): https://www.printablee.com/postpic/2010/11/candy-corn-template_369131.jpg.pdf

TissuePaper CandyCorn

THANKSGIVING CRAFTS

RANGER KIDS

Handprint Turkey

For a simple craft, you’ll need cardstock or construction paper (orange, red, and yellow), pencils, scissors, and glue sticks. You may want to precut the turkey template. The boys will trace their hands, cut them out, and glue them to the turkey’s body to build the feathers.

https://www.simpleeverydaymom.com/turkey-handprint-craft-for-kids/

Turkey Body: https://superstarworksheets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/TurkeyCraftBody.pdf

Fork or Sponge Painted Turkey

Both ideas use similar supplies. You just need to decide which technique you want to use. You’ll need paper plates, scissors, paint (red, yellow, and orange), construction paper, googly eyes, and either sponges or forks. Don’t forget to have paint shirts or plastic trash bags for boys to wear so they don’t get paint on themselves or each other. To save time, you can precut the head, beak, and gobbler for the turkeys.

Sponge: https://www.theresourcefulmama.com/sponged-painted-thanksgiving-turkey-craft/

Fork: https://www.iheartartsncrafts.com/fork-painted-turkey-craft-kids/

DISCOVERY RANGERS

Glittery Fall Leaves

I chose this craft for the concept not the exact execution. You can certainly follow the website exactly, but I’m thrifty and don’t like to mix glitter and kids very often. I would use construction paper or cardstock (red, orange, and yellow), pencils, scissors, glue sticks, black markers, and glitter glue. Use the leaf template page and allow the boys to choose a leaf. Have them trace the leaf onto the cardstock and cut out. Have the boys write something they are thankful on the leaf. Finally, have them trace the edge with the glitter glue. Before applying the glitter glue, you could have the boys glue the leaf or several leaves to another piece of card stock.

https://domesticallyblissful.com/glittery-book-page-fall-leaves/

Leaf Template: https://resources.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/leaf-template/leaf-template-assorted-fall-leaves.pdf

Glitter Leaf

Paper Fan Turkey

Although there are not many supplies for this craft, each turkey will reflect the imagination of its creator. You’ll need construction paper or scrapbook paper in fall colors. They can be solid or printed paper. You’ll also need scissors and packaging tape. You can either make your own turkey body or use a template from one of the other crafts. If the boys can fold a fan, they can make this craft.

https://www.agirlandagluegun.com/kid-craft-monday-turkey/

Turkey Body: https://superstarworksheets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/TurkeyCraftBody.pdf

RANGER KIDS & DISCOVERY RANGERS

In this section, I decided to put things that you could use at the beginning of class, for snacks, or for a Thanksgiving party during your weekly meeting.

Gratitude Cards (Thankfulness Cards)

I know the website uses these cards as tags for gifts to teachers, friends, etc. However, I thought this would be a great way to help the boys focus on things they can be thankful during this season.

https://frugalfun4boys.com/printable-gratitude-cards/

Templates: https://frugalfun4boys.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Thank-You-Cards.pdf

Thankfulness Cards

Coloring Pages and Games

Below are several coloring pages and games for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving: https://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/print/thanksgiving-turkey-cartoon-coloring-page/

Giving Thanks: https://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/print/giving-thanks-coloring-page/

Thanksgiving Owls: https://mondaymandala.com/wp-content/uploads/Coloring-Sheet-Of-Cartoon-Thanksgiving-Owls-In-Hats.pdf

Thanksgiving Bingo: https://crazylittleprojects.com/thanksgiving-bingo-game

Thanksgiving Bingo

Thanksgiving Snacks

Below are Thanksgiving snack ideas.

Cornucopias: https://www.sippycupmom.com/cornucopia-kids-craft-snack/

Thanksgiving Turkey Snack Bags: https://www.thatswhatchesaid.net/thanksgiving-turkey-snack-bags/

Cornucopia Snack Turkey Snack bag

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

RANGER KIDS

Circles Candy Cane

This craft is as simple as its supplies. You’ll need cardstock (red and white), glue sticks, scissors, hole punch, and yarn. Each boy will need the circle template printed on a red and a white sheet of cardstock. Have the boys cut out seven red circles and six white circles. The boys assemble the candy cane starting with red then alternating the circles. Cut a length of yarn and let the boys glue it on the back or punch a hole at the top and tie it through the hole.

http://funezcrafts.com/Easy-Christmas-Crafts-Paper-Circles-Candy-Cane-Ornament.html

Template (2” circles): https://superstarworksheets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2inchcircletemplate.pdf

Template (1.5” circles): https://superstarworksheets.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/1.5inchcircletemplate.pdf

Paper Circles Candy Cane

Fingerprint Christmas Tree

This Christmas tree will need several supplies: construction paper (black and white), crayons (white), scissors, tape, paper plates, and paint (red, green, and yellow). Don’t forget those paint shirt or trash bags to protect the boys’ clothes. First, cut out the tree shape from the black paper. The easy way is to fold the paper in half and draw half the shape with the crayon. You could do this step before class. Have the boys cut out the tree and tape it to the white cardstock. Then, have the boys dip their fingers into the paint and make dots all over the edge of the tree. Once the tree is outlined, have the boys make fingerprint dots all over the paper in the different colors. Finally, you’ll lift the tree from the painting to reveal the tree shape in the middle of the fingerprints.

https://www.adabofgluewilldo.com/christmas-tree-thumbprint-art/

Fingerprint Tree

DISCOVERY RANGERS

3D Snowflakes

This craft may require a little bit of patience from the boys. I know that’s tough with the holidays coming, but this could be a great gift for a parent or grandparent. You’ll need colored paper or scrapbook paper (plain or printed in white, blue, silver, red, gold, or green), scissors, glue (tape or stapler), pencils, and yarn. Even with Discovery Rangers boys, I would precut the paper squares as noted on the link below. Then, have the boys create the six snowflake pieces and assemble the snowflake.

https://www.firstpalette.com/craft/3d-paper-snowflake.html

3D Snowflake

Beaded Candy Cane

This craft is so easy the boys may want to may several to hang on their trees. You’ll need green pipe cleaners, red and white pony beads, and wire cutters or old scissors. The boys need to make sure to turn the end of the pipe cleaner around the first and last bead so that none of the beads fall off.

https://fountainavenuekitchen.com/holiday-crafts/

RANGER KIDS & DISCOVERY RANGERS

Snowflake Window Clings

As a kid, I loved making paper snowflakes at Christmas. I wasn’t very good at it, but I really enjoyed it. This craft combines snowflakes with window clings. You’ll need glue or glitter glue, food coloring (red, green, blue, and yellow), and wax paper. I personally would use glitter glue or tint my white glue with good coloring. You will need a place to store the wax paper creations flat until they dry. Have each boy choose one or more snowflakes to make. Then, he will need to trace the snowflake onto the wax paper. Next, he’ll trace the snowflake with the glue. Once it dries, he can gently peel the snowflake off the wax paper and tape it to a window.

https://www.firstpalette.com/craft/snowflake-window-clings.html

Templates: https://www.firstpalette.com/printable/snowflake2.html

SnowflakeWindowClings

Cupcake Liner Christmas Tree

You’ll need white cardstock, scissors, glue, Christmas cupcake liners (solids and prints), and glitter star foam stickers. From just a few supplies, the boys can make these colorful Christmas trees. Each one will be unique.

https://raisinglittlesuperheroes.com/cupcake-liner-christmas-tree-craft/