Thanksgiving is one of the best times of the year. From getting the family together to sharing a delicious meal (and stealing a few extra helpings of stuffing!), there's nothing better than celebrating with all of your loved ones. Except for creating some fun and exciting Thanksgiving-themed crafts, that is!
If you want to let your inner artist out this holiday season, there's no better way to do that than with some unique chalkboard crafts. And don't worry if you're not feeling too inspired - that's where we come in! Our Thanksgiving chalkboard ideas and tips are sure to get those creative juices flowing.
6 Best Chalkboard Ideas For The Thanksgiving Season
So, you've invited your family around for a Thanksgiving feast, you've picked out the perfect turkey, and you're feeling prepared for the big day. But there's just one thing missing: Fun holiday crafts!
Fortunately, you don't need tons of crafting materials or expensive tools to create memorable decorations. All you need is a quality chalkboard, chalk, chalk markers, and perhaps a few stencils. Then, you'll be ready to get to work on the best chalkboard art for the holiday season!
1. Create a 'thankful tree'
If going around the table and saying what you're thankful for feels a little overdone, then it's time to find a new way to express your gratitude. So why not do it by crafting a fun 'thankful tree'?
To do this, all you need are some fun, colorful chalk markers. Just be sure to have a mix of fine-point markers and thicker markers, like our 24ct Artists Assortment Markers, to make your creation more dynamic!
Start by drawing a tree using a brown marker and adding different colored leaves to represent each of your family members. Then, take turns letting them write what they're thankful for in their dedicated leaf using the fine-tip markers.
Not only is this an inventive way to share your gratitude, but it makes for great Thanksgiving decor and a unique talking piece over dinner.
2. Write up a Thanksgiving menu
If you're hosting multiple people, like friends and family, then you may have more than just a turkey dinner planned. In that case, you can take the idea of a chalkboard menu up a notch by crafting your very own Thanksgiving dinner menu!
First, grab the perfect chalkboard - like the Rustic Chalkboard A-Frame Easel or the Rustic Framed Magnetic Chalkboard - and some white fine-tipped chalkboard markers. Then, add a small 'menu' to display to your guests what they can expect to enjoy as a delicious Thanksgiving meal.
If you'd like to give your menu a little extra pizazz, you can also add some fun illustrations of some of the dishes you'll be serving. Just be sure to have some multi-colored chalk markers on hand to give your menu a pop of color.
3. Collaborate with your family
Getting the whole family involved in some Thanksgiving crafts can give you a great chance to bond and spend quality time together. Plus, it's a great way to entertain your kids during the holidays. You can even give them individual chalkboards like the 11x14 White Framed Farmhouse Magnetic Chalkboard to decorate if you want to keep them busy while you prepare dinner!
For this craft idea, your only limit is your imagination. You can collaborate with your family to create a collage of fun pictures for some fall decor or outline a fun picture for the little ones to color in using a thicker chalk marker that's great for smaller hands.
Alternatively, you can allow your kids to explore their creative side with fun chalk art and see where their imaginations take them. Then, display your chalkboard in your dining room so you can admire their artwork during dinner.
4. Start a countdown to Thanksgiving
If you have a chalkboard calendar on hand, then Thanksgiving is a great time to use it for a unique purpose! Using your favorite chalk markers, you can create a 'countdown to Thanksgiving' on your chalkboard by marking off the days until the holiday finally arrives.
Don't forget to decorate your chalkboard with fun, festive pictures. Plus, you can even include certain 'milestones' during your countdown. For example, you can have a family movie night when there are only 10 days left until Thanksgiving.
5. Use your chalkboard as a photo backdrop
For this fun family idea, you'll need a slightly bigger chalkboard. For example, Loddie Doddie's 18x22 White Framed Farmhouse Magnetic Chalk Board is the perfect pick. But the rest is simple!
Simply create a fall or Thanksgiving-inspired backdrop for some family photos. You can decorate your board with a cornucopia, multi-colored leaves, or even a silly-looking turkey for some added fun. Or, if you've practiced your chalkboard writing skills, you can even add some inspirational quotes or create a traditional 'Happy Thanksgiving' banner to add to your holiday pictures.
6. Craft creative place cards
Smaller chalkboards can make for fantastic place cards on your Thanksgiving table. All you need to do is write the names of the family and friends who will be attending Thanksgiving and add them to your place settings.
Of course, you can also add cute Thanksgiving pictures to each of the cards to make them more personalized! Or, you can write them a small note to thank them for coming to dinner (depending on the size of your chalkboards).
The Perfect Thanksgiving Chalkboard Crafts: Tips And Tricks
The best thing about Thanksgiving chalkboard crafts is that they're easy to pull off. You don't need to be the next Picasso or have too many tricks up your sleeve to create something truly memorable to display during the holiday.
However, if you want to take your crafts to the next level, then we have two simple tips for you to try out:
Use a stencil or practice your lettering
You don't need any artistic skill to come up with fun Thanksgiving-themed pictures. In fact, you can always use some easy stencils to help you create gorgeous and colorful chalkboard art.
You can either purchase stencils at your local craft store or make a few of your own by printing some out on plain paper and cutting them out. Either way, they'll help you achieve cleaner lines for more aesthetically pleasing decor.
Don't forget to practice your chalkboard lettering, too. This is especially helpful if you plan on writing out a chalkboard menu or jotting down some holiday quotes to decorate your board.
Clean and maintain your chalkboard between craft projects
Want to create a few different chalkboard masterpieces over the Thanksgiving period? The good news is that chalkboards are super versatile, so you can create as many as you'd like. However, you always want to start with a clean writing surface...
If you want to avoid ghosting or messy-looking chalk decor, don't forget to clean your board between your craft projects. The easiest way to do this is by using a chalkboard cleaning kit and a gentle circular motion to remove any traces of old chalk from the board before you start a new project.
FAQs
Can I create Thanksgiving chalkboard art without a chalkboard?
You don't need a chalkboard to have fun with chalk! With sidewalk chalk, you and your little ones can create holiday-themed murals and pictures on your sidewalk or driveway. And the best part? It's easy to clean!
You can even use your sidewalk chalk to create a 'welcome' sign with plenty of decorations for your Thanksgiving guests.
Are these crafts appropriate for the whole family?
Our fun Thanksgiving ideas can be enjoyed by the whole family. Since there's no mess and no fuss involved, they're perfect for younger children to let their inner artist out. Plus, they're a great way to spend time together and bond over some fun fall crafts.
Final Thoughts
With Thanksgiving around the corner, it's time to get creative and decorate your chalkboard with your own unique masterpieces. Hopefully, our ideas have inspired you to get to work and create something memorable to mark the occasion. So, what are you waiting for? Let's get crafty!