Paper Plate Pumpkin Pie Craft
Bring a creative twist to Thanksgiving with this paper plate Pumpkin Pie Craft — a fun and simple fall activity.
Using basic materials like paper plates, orange paint and cotton balls, kids can craft their own slice of pumpkin pie – a fun and easy Thanksgiving Craft!

This post contains affiliate links.
Perfect for little hands, this project adds a festive touch while sparking excitement for the holiday season.
Why You’ll Love This Paper Plate Pumpkin Pie Craft
- Fine motor development: Painting, cutting, gluing and placing small paper pieces give little hands plenty of practice.
- Creative expression: Kids can create their own pumpkin pie design and add glitter for extra sparkle.
- Easy materials: The craft uses simple supplies such as a paper plate, paint, construction paper and cotton balls.
- Thanksgiving theme: Pumpkin pie connects the craft to a familiar Thanksgiving tradition.
- Sensory exploration: Kids can explore the textures of wet paint, paper and fluffy cotton balls.
- Holiday fun: The finished pie makes a cheerful Thanksgiving decoration.
This simple craft gives kids a fun way to combine art, fine motor practice and Thanksgiving learning.
Creative Ways to Play
Once kids finish their pumpkin pie craft, try these fun ideas to keep the Thanksgiving theme going.
- Pie Shop: Invite kids to pretend they are running a bakery and take pretend orders for pumpkin pie.
- Pie Counting: Count the brown paper squares used to create the crust.
- Texture Talk: Let kids describe how the smooth paper, painted plate and soft cotton balls feel.
- Thanksgiving Pretend Play: Use the finished craft as part of a pretend Thanksgiving feast.
These playful extensions encourage creativity, language development and imaginative play.
Activities to Pair with Paper Plate Pumpkin Pie Craft
Here are activities that pair perfectly with the Paper Plate Pumpkin Pie Craft — fun ways to extend the Thanksgiving theme through art, books, movement and play.
Related Thanksgiving Activities
- Paper Plate Turkey Craft: Create another Thanksgiving-themed paper plate craft.
- Paper Pumpkin Craft: Continue the fall theme with a simple pumpkin project.
- Handprint Turkey Art: Make a turkey using a child’s handprint.
Creative Extensions
- Thanksgiving Books: Read Thanksgiving picture books together after crafting.
- Thanksgiving Dinner Drawing: Have kids draw the foods they would include at a Thanksgiving meal.
- Pumpkin Pie Pretend Play: Use the finished pie in a pretend bakery or Thanksgiving feast.
This added layer of creativity keeps kids engaged while encouraging exploration and problem-solving.
Free Turkey Coloring Page
Thanksgiving Games
This or That Thanksgiving Game
Thanksgiving Hats – Write, Color, Cut and Glue
Fine Motor and Learning Activities
- Cutting Practice: Cut brown construction paper into small squares.
- Counting: Count the paper squares used to create the crust.
- Color Mixing: Mix red and yellow paint to make orange.
- Texture Words: Describe the different textures used in the craft.
Gross Motor Activities
- Pie-Making Motions: Pretend to mix, roll and bake a giant pumpkin pie.
- Thanksgiving Movement Game: Act out different Thanksgiving foods with body movements.
- Turkey Movement: Move like a turkey while carrying an imaginary pie.
Play and Display Activities
- Pretend Bakery: Use the finished pies as pretend bakery treats.
- Thanksgiving Display: Display the finished crafts together as Thanksgiving decorations.
- Pretend Feast: Add the pies to a play Thanksgiving dinner.
These activities extend the Paper Plate Pumpkin Pie Craft while supporting creativity, motor development and early learning.
Why Pumpkin Pie at Thanksgiving
Pumpkin pie became a Thanksgiving tradition due to the early American settlers, particularly the Pilgrims, who used pumpkins and other native crops in their cooking.
Pumpkins were abundant during the fall harvest, and their use in pies and other dishes became common.
Are You “Stuffed”? – Thanksgiving Mini Workout
Thanksgiving Theme Preschool Classroom Lesson Plans
Thanksgiving Yoga Cards for Kids
Turkey Roll and Color Math Games
Over time, pumpkin pie, with its warm spices and sweet flavor, evolved into a symbol of the Thanksgiving feast, celebrating the bounty of the harvest and the shared meals of early settlers and Native Americans.

The pie’s association with the holiday has continued to this day as a beloved dessert staple on Thanksgiving tables.
For some delicious pumpkin pie recipes, try Mini Pumpkin Pies, Brulee Pumpkin Pie and No Bake Pumpkin Pie Bites.
Adorable Thanksgiving Books
When you’re done playing, snuggle up and enjoy these Kids Books about Thanksgiving with your child.
A Plump and Perky TurkeyThere Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey!How to Catch a TurkeyPete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving
The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights)I Am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids10 Fat TurkeysA Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (Peanuts)
Or enjoy these Thanksgiving Board Books with your toddler. It’s the perfect way to tie in the holiday to your Thanksgiving activities!
Paper Plate Pumpkin Pie Craft
Pumpkin Pie Kids Craft Supplies
Get ready for some festive fun with these essential supplies for your Pumpkin Pie kids craft!
- Paper plate
- Orange paint
- Paintbrush
- Brown construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue (school glue or glue stick)
- Cotton balls
- Protective covering for the work area (optional)

How to Make Pumpkin Pie Craft
Prepare Your Workspace: Cover your work area with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth to protect from spills, and gather all your supplies within reach.

Paint the Paper Plate: Paint the entire surface of a paper plate with orange paint, creating the base of your pumpkin pie. Let it dry completely, which may take 20-30 minutes depending on the paint.
Create the Crust: While the paint dries, cut 1-inch squares from brown construction paper. These will form the pie crust, so prepare enough to circle the plate.
Attach the Crust: Once dry, apply glue around the plate’s edge and attach the brown squares, slightly overlapping them to mimic the pie crust. Press firmly and let them dry.

Add the Whipped Cream: Glue cotton balls in the center of the plate to represent whipped cream. Gently press them down to secure and allow the glue to dry.
Final Check: Ensure all parts are securely glued, making any necessary adjustments to the crust or whipped cream.
Quick tips:
You can mix in some glitter with the paint for a shimmering pie effect.
If you’re out of orange paint, simply combine red and yellow to create your own.

For added realism, cut the cotton balls into smaller bits to give the whipped cream a more textured look.
This Paper Plate Pumpkin Pie Craft gives kids a simple, hands-on way to celebrate Thanksgiving while creating a festive piece of pretend pie.
Easy Printable Thanksgiving Fun!
Get ready for a cornucopia of printable Thanksgiving fun that will make this holiday one to remember!
More Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids
Explore more Thanksgiving crafts for kids to spark creativity and celebrate the holiday season!
- Paper Plate Turkey Craft
- Turkey Suncatcher
- Paper Pumpkin
- Handprint Turkey Art
- Turkey Mini Pumpkins
- Turkey Toilet Paper Roll
- DIY Turkey Ornaments
- Paper Plate Turkey Hand Craft
- Coffee Filter Turkeys
- Handprint Candy Corn Turkey Craft
For more holiday fun, be sure to check out our Best Thanksgiving Ideas!




















