Thanksgiving involves much more than turkey and pumpkin pie. I especially enjoy this Handprint Mayflower Craft because it encourages meaningful discussion and an engaging learning opportunity. Best of all, it’s a wonderfully enjoyable Thanksgiving project to create.
To create the main sections of the Mayflower ship, start by printing our Free Printable Mayflower Template. It includes every part required for cutting out and assembling the craft. Next, place handprints onto a blue background and draw a few easy white ocean-wave lines. Then you’ll be ready to sail off on an adventure!
Thanksgiving Mayflower Handprint Project
Before beginning our Mayflower project, print the Mayflower template.
Gather blue, brown, and white cardstock, a brown marker, a white chalk marker, scissors, and a glue stick as well.
Supplies for the Mayflower Handprint Project
- Mayflower Template
- Cardstock – blue, brown, white
- Brown marker
- White chalk marker
- Scissors
- Glue stick
Step-by-Step Mayflower Project Instructions
First, print the Mayflower template onto brown cardstock.
Next, trim out all the pieces.
With a brown marker, trace around the upper edge of the ship shape. Then, sketch three circles in the middle of the ship’s body and color them in.
Attach the ship shape near the lower portion of a blue cardstock sheet.
Secure the two strips in position to create the ship’s masts.
Next, trace handprints onto white paper. Each Mayflower ship will need two handprint sails. Cut out each handprint.
Fasten the handprints to the tops of the masts.
To finish, draw ocean waves around the boat with a white chalk marker. This is a delightful project to pair with a Thanksgiving lesson or to keep as a festive holiday memento!
Show Us Your Project!
Enjoy this project? Save the image below to Pinterest! We’d also love to hear if you created it, so share it with us on Instagram!
Additional Thanksgiving Projects for Children
There are plenty of other wonderful Thanksgiving project ideas to try, including our Pilgrim Hat Craft, Paper Bag Pilgrim Craft, Cardboard Roll Native American Craft, and Turkey Mask Craft. Visit Our Kid Things to discover even more Thanksgiving crafts for children!
Materials
- Mayflower Template
- Cardstock – blue, brown, white
- Brown marker
- White chalk marker
- Scissors
- Glue stick
Instructions
- Start by printing the Mayflower template on brown cardstock, then cut out each piece.
- Trace the upper part of the ship shape with a brown marker.
- Next, sketch three circles in the center of the ship’s body and fill them with the brown marker.
- Place the ship shape near the bottom of a blue cardstock sheet and glue it down.
- Attach the two strips to form the ship’s masts.
- Trace handprints onto white paper. Each Mayflower ship requires two handprint sails.
- Trim out the handprints.
- Adhere the handprints to the tops of the masts.
- Finally, draw ocean waves around the boat using a white chalk marker.