Last updated: October 15, 2026
Looking for pilgrim crafts that are simple, cheap, and actually fun to make? You will find paper hats, puppets, ships, and table decor below, with everything explained in plain steps.
Grab a few basics from your craft drawer and you can start a Thanksgiving craft day in minutes.
Easy Paper Pilgrim Crafts to Start With
Paper is the friendliest place to begin because most homes already have construction paper, glue sticks, and scissors. These projects need very little prep and work well for a busy afternoon.
Construction Paper Pilgrim Hats
Cut a tall rectangle from black paper and a wide strip for the brim, then glue the rectangle onto the strip so it looks like a classic hat.
Add a yellow paper square in the front for the buckle. The buckle is a popular storybook detail rather than a strictly historical one, so treat it as part of the fun.
Kids can wear the finished hat by stapling a paper headband to the back, or you can glue it to a card to make a greeting.
Paper Bag Pilgrim Puppets
Turn a small brown paper bag upside down so the flap becomes the face. Glue on a skin-tone paper circle, then add a black hat for a boy puppet or a white bonnet shape for a girl puppet.
Draw eyes and a smile with markers and add yarn hair under the hat. Slip a hand inside the bag and your puppet is ready to tell a Thanksgiving story.
Paper Plate Mayflower Ships
Fold a paper plate in half and cut it along the curve to make the hull of a ship. Paint it brown and let it dry fully before the next step.
Tape a craft stick mast in the middle and glue a white paper sail to it. Set the ship in a shallow tray of blue paper waves and you have a tiny scene to display.
Pilgrim Crafts Using Everyday Household Items
Some of the cutest pilgrim crafts start with things that would normally go in the recycling bin or the junk drawer. These ideas stretch your supplies and keep costs low.
Toilet Paper Roll Pilgrims
Cover an empty cardboard tube with black or gray paper to make the body. Add a skin-tone circle for the face and a paper hat or bonnet on top.
Glue a white paper collar just under the face for a classic look. Make a whole family in different sizes of tubes and line them up on a shelf.
Clothespin Pilgrim Dolls
Wooden clothespins make sturdy little figures that stand on their own. Paint the top of the clothespin a skin tone and the lower part black or gray.
Wrap a small piece of white felt around the neck for a collar and glue on a tiny felt hat. Use a fine-tip marker for the faces so the details stay neat on the small surface.
Handprint Pilgrim Art
Press a painted hand onto paper and turn the print into a pilgrim with a few simple additions. The thumb and fingers can become a collar and a hat when you add paper details above and below.
This one makes a lovely keepsake because you can write the year and the child’s name on the back. Tuck it into a Thanksgiving box and pull it out each November to see how little hands have grown.
Pilgrim Crafts for the Thanksgiving Table
Craft day can also set up your holiday dinner. A few small pieces can turn a plain table into something personal that guests will notice.
Fold a piece of cardstock into a tent and decorate the front with a pilgrim hat to make handmade place cards for each guest. Kids can write the names themselves, which makes them feel like part of the hosting team.
Wrap a strip of black paper around a napkin and add a yellow paper buckle to create pilgrim napkin rings. Set one at each plate and you have a coordinated table without buying anything new.
For a centerpiece, gather your finished clothespin dolls or paper bag puppets in a basket with a few leaves and mini pumpkins. The whole display comes together in a few minutes and doubles as a showcase of the crafts the kids made earlier in the day.
Tips for Making Pilgrim Crafts Go Smoothly
A little planning keeps craft time relaxed, especially when several children are working at once. Set out all your supplies before anyone sits down so nobody has to wait.
Pre-cut the shapes for younger children so they can focus on gluing and decorating. Older kids can handle the cutting themselves, and they often enjoy designing their own hats and bonnets.
Use a craft mat or old tablecloth so paint and glue stay off your table. Keep damp paper towels nearby for quick cleanup between steps.
If a project calls for hot glue, keep that step for an adult and check the glue gun manufacturer’s instructions first. Always supervise scissors, and read the age labels on packaged supplies like googly eyes and felt shapes, since small pieces can be a choking hazard for little ones.
Let projects dry completely before you stand them up or stack them. Painted pieces especially need patience, and a plate of snacks can help everyone wait.
Why Pilgrim Crafts Make a Great Thanksgiving Activity
Crafts give kids something to do with their hands while dinner is cooking. They also open the door to a gentle chat about the story of the first Thanksgiving and what the holiday means to your family.
Pilgrim crafts are especially handy because the shapes are simple and recognizable. A hat, a collar, and a bonnet are enough to make a project read as a pilgrim, even for the youngest crafters.
You can also use this time to talk about gratitude. Ask each child to name one thing they are thankful for while they decorate, then write it on the back of the craft so you have a keepsake.
If you want to learn more about the real history, your local library or a museum website is a good place to find kid-friendly sources. Reading a short book together before or after the craft makes the activity feel more meaningful.
Pilgrim Crafts Questions
What supplies do I need for most pilgrim crafts?
Black, white, brown, and yellow construction paper cover most designs. Add glue sticks, child-safe scissors, markers, and a few craft sticks and you are set.
Are pilgrim crafts safe for toddlers?
Many projects can be adapted for toddlers if an adult handles the cutting and any small pieces. Always supervise, skip tiny embellishments, and follow the age labels on your supplies.
How long do pilgrim crafts take to make?
Simple paper hats and handprints can come together quickly, while painted projects need drying time. Plan your schedule around the slowest step and let kids work at their own pace.
Can I use these pilgrim crafts in a classroom?
Yes, most of these ideas use low-cost supplies that scale well for a group. Pre-cut shapes in advance and set up stations so every student has space to work.
How can I display finished pilgrim crafts?
Stand clothespin dolls on a mantel, tape paper hats to a window, or hang puppets from a string across a doorway. You can also use them as table decor on Thanksgiving Day.
Time to Start Your Pilgrim Crafts
Now you have plenty of pilgrim crafts to pick from, whether you want a quick paper project or a table full of handmade decor. Choose one or two that fit your supplies and your schedule.
Gather the kids, clear the table, and start crafting today. Then share your favorite creation with family at Thanksgiving dinner.
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