Pie Surprise Balls, Party Crackers & More Thanksgiving Paper Crafts

When you have turkeys to roast and potatoes to mash, Thanksgiving decor can feel like an afterthought. But as these easy paper crafts prove, you don't need fancy materials to make beautiful holiday decor. Supplies like crepe paper streamers and scrapbook paper are inexpensive, while items like toilet paper tubes and kraft paper are basically free!

Our fun Turkey Day decor tutorial features three DIY paper projects: turkey crackers (think Christmas crackers but with a Thanksgiving twist), surprise balls designed to look like beloved autumn pies and a Thanksgiving garland made with paper forks. The crackers and surprise balls are especially fun and interactive, as they're meant to be opened to reveal candies, tiny toys and other delightful prizes.

Whether you're seeking budget-friendly table decor, hosting Friendsgiving or searching for ways to make memories on Thanksgiving Day, these festive crafts are sure to be a hit.

Insert cracker snap through tube. Try your best to center snap so there's an equal amount of material on each side.

Using a small piece of clear tape, attach snap to inside of tube.

Cut brown, yellow, orange and red crepe paper streamers into strips measuring 3 in. long. This will make up turkey's feathers.

Add two strips of double-sided tape to short edge of kraft paper. Attach a row of crepe paper strips, making sure to mix up order of colors. Add more double-sided tape on top and repeat to create another layer; this will give "feathers" more body.

You can also attach strips using regular clear tape, as this side of paper won't be visible.

Place paper tube on inside of paper along long side, making sure to center it. Tape down.

Roll tube so kraft paper wraps around it. Tape to secure.

At the top end (with the crepe paper), bunch kraft paper together just above tube. Tie with ribbon to secure; a loose double knot works great.

Fill cracker through other end.

Gather remaining kraft paper and tie with ribbon.

Using double-sided tape, add two red paper teardrops for turkey's neck. (You can also use a glue stick.) Next, add a yellow paper triangle for beak. Draw two eyes with a black marker.

Cut out two scalloped shell-like shapes from kraft paper. These will be the wings.

Tape one wing to each side of cracker. So cute!

To make a surprise ball shaped like a pie, you'll essentially need to unroll a crepe paper streamer and then roll it back up while adding items.

Start by rolling streamer. This will create a round center.

Keep rolling crepe paper streamer, occasionally adding items.

Once roll has reached ideal size, cut paper and tape down end. The roll won't be a perfect circle, but that's OK! The following step will clean it up.

Tape a long strip of crepe paper streamer to side of roll.

Wrap paper around entire roll, gently pulling it taut. This will help shape "pie."

Tape end to secure.

To make a lattice crust, cut four strips of brown crepe paper streamer. You can also use tissue paper.

Place strips across top of pie, creating a grid pattern. Tape down ends on sides.

Tape another long strip of crepe paper to side of pie but in same direction as roll. Use same color as pie's "filling."

Wrap paper around pie. Again, gently pull it taut to mold circular shape. Tape down end to secure.

Using hot glue, attach a strand of beige rick-rack around perimeter of pie. This will be crust.

Repeat with other colors to make different pie flavors. For example, to make a pumpkin pie, skip lattice crust and add a white pompom for "whipped cream."

Pie surprise balls will be right at home on your Thanksgiving table! Try displaying them on a serving tray or if you want to turn them into place cards, add tags with guests' names and place them on plates.

Using a pencil, trace fork onto card stock. Don't trace tines.

Cut out card stock shapes, making sure to cut straight across top of each fork.

Draw four lines atop paper fork. Try your best to draw them at even intervals.

Cut along each line. Then, fold down strips next to first and last tines.

Cut away both folded strips. Repeat with remaining card stock.

Cut a long strand of twine. You can also use ribbon or rope. Hot glue paper forks to twine. And just like that, you have a food-themed fall garland!

Display garland decor across table alongside turkey crackers and pie surprise balls. After the festivities have come and gone (or if you want to keep paper forks in good shape), use garland as quirky home decor and hang it on your fireplace mantel.

Here's to a very crafty turkey day celebration!