As the vibrant colors of autumn are here and so is Thanksgiving! Take time to bring that spirit of gratitude into the classroom! Thanksgiving provides an excellent opportunity to infuse your learning space with warmth, creativity, and a gratefulness. From stunning foliage to harvest-inspired elements, Thanksgiving-themed classroom decoration can set the stage for an exciting and engaging learning environment. The following are 23 best Thanksgiving-themed classroom decorating ideas.
Leafy Window Décor
Thanksgiving Bulletin Board
Rustic Wall Hangings
Fall Book Nook
Turkey Math
Autumnal Alphabet
Fall/Thanksgiving Ceiling Décor
Whimsical Scarecrow
Apples…Apples Everywhere!
Harvest-Themed Name Tags
Falling Leaves Chandelier
Woodland Creature Cutouts
Cornstalk Corners
Harvest-Themed Reward System
Fall STEM Center
Autumn Color Palette
Fall-Themed Word Wall
Cornucopia of Knowledge
Gratitude Tree
Autumn-Themed Door Décor
Thanksgiving Mobiles
Thanksgiving-Themed Crowns
Harvest Festival Cultural Display
Leafy Windows
Adorn your classroom windows with an array of autumn leaves…artificial, of course…in warm tones like orange, red, and yellow. This simple yet effective touch will instantly create a cozy, fall ambiance, and it will help to create that Thanksgiving spirit.
Thanksgiving Bulletin Board
The next best Thanksgiving-themed classroom decorating idea is a Thanksgiving bulletin board. Encourage your students to contribute to the bulletin board by creating their own paper pumpkins, apples, and cornucopias filled with notes of gratitude or academic achievements. And, if you want to really get into the Thanksgiving mood, you don’t want to forget the turkey on your bulletin board.
Rustic Wall Hangings
Embrace the rustic charm of Thanksgiving by hanging burlap banners with motivational quotes, notes of thanks, or educational messages that inspire learning and exploration.
Fall Book Nook
Another one of the best Thanksgiving-themed classroom decorating ideas is a fall book nook. Create a cozy reading corner filled with fall-themed books, Thanksgiving-themed books, plush blankets, and soft pillows in autumn colors. Encourage students to delve into captivating tales that celebrate the season.
Turkey Math
Integrate Thanksgiving decorating ideas into your math exercises by using mini turkeys or pumpkins as counting tools. You can use simple math problems, or you can go for upper-level math. Be sure to only place one math problem per turkey or pumpkin.
Autumnal Alphabet
If you are an elementary school teacher, you can decorate your classroom walls with a beautiful autumn-themed alphabet display. Each letter can feature a Thanksgiving image or be adorned with autumn images.
Fall/Thanksgiving Ceiling Decor
Drape faux fall foliage from the ceiling to add an enchanting canopy effect. It’s a unique way to infuse your classroom with the wonder of nature.
Whimsical Scarecrow
Craft a friendly scarecrow to welcome students into the classroom. If you are like me and not crafty enough to design your own scarecrow, then you can always grab one from your local store to use in your classroom.
Apples…Apples Everywhere!
Place a basket filled with artificial apples by the classroom door or throughout your classroom. Attach a small tag with an inspirational message or a daily fun fact. And, if you don’t want to place a basket of apples by your door, you may want to strategically place some throughout your classroom with those inspirational messages.
Harvest-Themed Name Tags
Personalize your students’ desks with name tags featuring images of pumpkins, acorns, or apples alongside their names. It adds a touch of charm to each learning space.
Falling Leaves Chandelier
Create a chandelier-style decoration with hanging paper leaves of various colors and sizes. If you live in a climate that is still warm enough to allow you to turn on your fan, it can give you the illusion of leaves gently falling from above.
Woodland Creature Cutouts
Bring the outdoors inside with adorable woodland creature cutouts like owls, squirrels, and foxes, to add a playful touch to your classroom walls or your classroom bulletin board. You can purchase these from your local craft store, Walmart, or Amazon.
Cornstalk Corners
Enhance the classroom corners with cornstalks tied together with burlap. This simple decor will add a touch of the countryside to your learning environment.
Harvest-Themed Reward System
Who doesn’t want to be rewarded? I do, and so do your kids. Incorporate fall-themed tokens or stickers into your classroom’s reward system this Thanksgiving. Students can collect these tokens for outstanding achievements and exchange them for small prizes or privileges.
Fall STEM Center
Set up a fall-themed STEM center with activities related to leaves, pumpkins, and fall weather. Engage students in hands-on learning experiences.
Autumn Color Scheme
Incorporate fall colors throughout your classroom. This could include everything from furniture and curtains to rugs and stationery. Warm fall hues like burnt orange, mustard yellow, and deep red can help to create a harmonious fall atmosphere and create that Thanksgiving feeling.
Fall-Themed Word Wall
A word wall is probably already a part of your classroom. So, this Thanksgiving, create a word wall with fall-related vocabulary. Encourage students to add new words they learn throughout the season.
Cornucopia of Knowledge
Decorate a bulletin board as a cornucopia filled with books and educational resources symbolizing the abundance of knowledge available in the classroom.
Gratitude Tree
Craft a gratitude tree using branches and paper leaves. Each student can write down something they are grateful for and attach it to the tree. This will help to foster a sense of appreciation and positivity.
Autumn-Themed Door Decor
Design your classroom door with a Thanksgiving theme. These can include things such as a giant apple, a scarecrow, or a tree with falling leaves.
Thanksgiving Mobiles
Create mobiles featuring Thanksgiving themed items that you hang from the ceiling.
Harvest Festival Cultural Display
Celebrate the diverse cultures of harvest festivals around the world with a colorful and informative display. You can set this up as a bulletin board display or a spot in your classroom.
The beauty of fall serves as an endless source of inspiration for creating a captivating and enriching classroom environment. From harvest celebrations to nature-inspired decor, these fall-themed/ Thanksgiving inspired classroom decor ideas will infuse creativity, warmth, and excitement into your students’ learning journey.