Thanksgiving Placecard Pillow Boxes with Recycled Paper Tubes

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Years ago, a tradition was started for kids to make the placecards at our Thanksgiving table.

Since my sister and I were the only kids for a good chunk of time, most of the earlier ones were all made by us! But once my cousins and nephews started popping up there was a new look to these turkey, corn, or pilgrim filled classics. You can see quite the collection of past family designs my mom kept throughout the years.

Last year my nephew, Blake, took a turn, creating these super cute feather turkeys with my sister.

This year, Brielle and I were making an attempt to create these one of a kind placecard designs to decorate the table. First we brought out, none other than our finger painting gear – Crayola Primary Washable Fingerpaints and a Brights pack, and an old black t-shirt as a smock.

Now over a year old, she was understanding what fingerpainting meant, unlike some of our earlier attempts. She knew when I put a drop of paint down, she could use her hands to smush it around.

I also gave her a paintbrush to see what she’d do with that but the messy painting was her favorite.

After cleaning up and drying out, I turned her fingerpaint mess into fun feature shapes with a fringed edge.

We turned ordinary recycled cardboard tubes into little pillow boxes by squeezing them to make an oval shape then folding in each side.

After wrapping with construction paper and attaching a name with a brad, these toddler made feather placecards were ready for the table!

Knowing that my family loves some sweets, they will each find two little peanut butter cups to enjoy hopefully AFTER dinner. (but knowing my family, they will be consumed beforehand!)