Five Great Centerpieces To Make With Kids
If you are looking for some great ways to involve your kids (or any other young guests) in the preparation for Thanksgiving dinner look no further. Here are five great ideas for Thanksgiving centerpieces you can make with the kids.
1.Thanksgiving Tablecloth –while this is not technically a centerpiece, your creativity can result in a base for your table that no one will forget! This tablecloth features hand decorations by all the kids in your life.
What you will need-
Cotton table cloth to fit your table. Make sure the material is not highly finished which will prevent the ink from soaking in.
Fabric markers-these can be purchased at your local craft store and are specifically meant to write on fabric. Usually these dry quickly and do not need a finishing spray.
Time needed: Under 1 Hour
Instructions for preparation-
Set up the table cloth and markers in a central location and encourage everyone to write a fond memory or sentiment from the current year (younger kids can draw pictures to depict their message). It can be anything that demonstrates gratitude. Feel free to date the remembrances if you wish. After displaying your handiwork at the big feast, store the table cloth away until the same time next year when everyone can add a new round of thanks.
2.Apple candlesticks-This is a creative new way to display candles on your table that keeps with an autumnal theme. Keep in mind though that this project works best with older kids.
What you will need-
Large Rome Beauty apples (that will stand straight on the table)
Candles
Waxed paper
Potato peelers
Lemon juice
Time needed: Under 1 hour
Instruction for preparation-Using an apple corer, make a hole about halfway through the middle of an apple. Make the hole as straight as possible and remove the core piece. Insert a candle into the hole. It should fit tightly; if the hole is too large, wrap waxed paper around the candle's end. Older kids can then decorate the apples by carefully carving designs in the skins with the tip of a potato peeler (to prevent the designs from turning brown, rub them with lemon juice). Arrange the candleholders in a circle on a plate or cutting board.
3.Gourd turkey-This is a fun way to create a unique centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table. This does require adult supervision if the kids are putting these together and seems to work best with a mixed group of kids who are several different ages.
What you will need-
Gourd
Round toothpicks
Pumpkin
Red chili pepper
Orange rind
Cloves
Corn husks or tamale wrappers
Tempera paints
Pair of red gloves
Time needed: Under 1 Hour
Instructions for preparation-To create the turkey's face, push a few toothpicks halfway into one side of the gourd, and then attach it to the pumpkin by pushing the protruding toothpick ends through the pumpkin shell. Use the same method to attach the chili-pepper wattle. For eyes, use two orange-rind circles. Push a clove through the center of each one and into the gourd. Next, tint the corn husk feathers by dipping them into diluted tempera paints (2 parts water to 1 part paint) and attach them to the pumpkin with toothpicks. Set the completed pumpkin atop the red gloves so that the fingers resemble turkey feet.