With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about how to decorate for the holiday.
One fun and easy way to add some festive flair is with chalkboard art!
Chalkboards are such a great way to get creative and add personality to your home.
I’ve gathered ideas that range from simple phrases to more elaborate drawings.
There’s something for every skill level here!
As an artsy person who loves the holidays, I always enjoy coming up with new chalkboard art designs to decorate with.
It’s an inexpensive way to make your home feel cozy and celebratory.
Over the years, I’ve gathered so many great ideas from blogs, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Now I want to pass them along to you!
I’ll provide a description and tips for each chalkboard art idea so you can easily recreate them.
Feel free to get as creative as you want and make each design your own.
The great thing about chalk is that it’s messy – and you can easily erase and start over if you want to change something.
Chalkboard art is the perfect way to get in the Thanksgiving spirit.
I hope these ideas inspire you to DIY some beautiful, festive art for your home this season.
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Thankful Pumpkins
First up, we have these super cute thankful pumpkins!
This is such a fun, autumnal design.
To create it, simply draw a few pumpkins of different shapes and sizes.
Then write words inside them that represent things you’re thankful for.
Get the whole family involved by having each person add something they’re grateful for.
I love displaying chalkboard art like this in my entryway where guests will see it as soon as they walk in.
It really sets the tone and gets everyone excited for Thanksgiving the moment they arrive.
Pro Tip: Outline your pumpkins with black chalk first, then color them in with orange and green chalk.
The black outlines will help the shapes and words pop.
Turkeys Made From Words
For this creative design, turkeys are made completely from words relating to Thanksgiving.
Start by sketching the basic shape of a turkey body, feathers, head, and feet.
Then instead of coloring it in, fill it with written words like “gratitude”, “feast”, “blessings”, “pie”, etc.
Get creative with the phrases you include!
I like to come up with a mix so some areas, like the feathers, are filled with repeating patterns and other parts contain fun words.
Make your turkey as simple or elaborate as you want.
This is such a smart way to incorporate meaning into your seasonal art.
Every time you walk by it, you’ll be reminded of what the holiday is really all about.
Hand Print Trees
This next idea is especially fun for families with kids!
Have each person trace and cut out their handprint on paper or felt.
Then tape or glue the “hand leaves” onto the chalkboard in the shape of trees.
You can take this a step further and write what each person is thankful for on their specific leaf.
When I did this activity with my nieces and nephews one year, it turned out so cute!
The little ones got such a kick out of seeing their handprint become part of the art.
It’s now a tradition for us to make the handprint trees each Thanksgiving.
Not only is it festive, but you’ll wind up with a meaningful keepsake you can display for years to come.
Farmhouse Style Signs
I’m obsessed with farmhouse style decor, so I had to include some rustic chalkboard sign ideas!
Create faux distressed signs by drawing simple shapes like circles, squares or scalloped edges around your phrases.
Add details like florals or vines in the corners to tie in the farmhouse vibe.
Some cute Thanksgiving sayings to include:
– Grateful & Blessed
– Give Thanks
– Gather Together
– Thanksgiving Blessings
Make these signs as plain or elaborate as you want.
Hang them on the front door, above the buffet, on the mantel, or anywhere else that needs a touch of farmhouse flair!
Tip: Use a duller piece of chalk or a dry erase marker to get the distressed, faded farmhouse look.
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Autumn Wreaths
Wreaths are another fun way to decorate for Thanksgiving with chalkboard art.
Use a circular object like a round pan lid as your guide.
Lightly trace around it to create the wreath shape.
Then decorate with autumn fruits, leaves, acorns, pine cones, etc.
You can even write words like “Give Thanks” across the middle.
Hang these seasonal wreaths on the wall or front door to get your home ready for Thanksgiving in an instant.
I like to make 1-2 big wreaths for the main living space and smaller versions for the bathrooms or bedrooms.
If you have kids, let them help decorate the wreaths too.
They’re simple enough for even toddlers to scribble some “fall designs” on.
Thankful Thought Bubbles
Here’s another great way to incorporate gratitude into your holiday chalkboard art.
Start by drawing circles or bubbles all over the board.
Inside each one, write something you’re thankful for this year.
Get the whole family involved so everyone can add what they’re most grateful for.
Ideas include:
– Family
– Friends
– Health
– Home
– Pets
– Food on the table
– Holiday traditions
I love looking at all the different blessings written in each bubble.
It’s a nice reminder to reflect on the positives when life gets stressful during the holidays.
Tip: For a different look, turn your bubbles into thought clouds by adding little squiggly lines at the edges.
Kids’ Chalkboard Art Station
Want to keep the kids busy while you’re cooking up the Thanksgiving feast?
Set up a chalkboard art station for them to create their own masterpieces!
Pull out a small chalkboard or get a few pieces of chalkboard paper.
Provide chalk in fall colors like orange, yellow, red, brown and green.
Let the kids draw whatever their heart desires – turkeys, pie, leaves, the Mayflower ship, or whatever comes to mind.
You can even tape up some inspiring Thanksgiving images for them to look at.
Having an art station will keep the little ones entertained for hours!
Plus, their cute chalkboard creations make for perfect holiday decor.
Hang them on the fridge or somewhere else for the whole family to admire.
It’s amazing what kind of amazing artists kids can be!
Chalkboard Place Cards
Make your Thanksgiving table even more festive with chalkboard place cards.
Simply fold cardstock in half and write names on the front with chalk.
Use fall colored cardstock or decorate the edges with leaves.
You can get as creative as you want!
I like to DIY my place cards every year and they always get lots of compliments from guests.
It makes the table feel so warm and personalized.
If kids are coming, offer to let them decorate their own.
They’ll get such a thrill out of finding their special seat marked just for them!
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Gratitude Garland
Here’s another fun DIY project – a gratitude garland made from chalkboard shapes!
Cut out leaves, circles or squares from black chalkboard roll paper.
Punch a hole in each shape and string them together to create a garland.
Use twine, ribbon, baker’s string, etc.
Then write what everyone is thankful for on each cut-out with white chalk.
Hang it in a doorway, across the mantel, on the wall behind the table…anywhere that needs a pop of Thanksgiving flair!
I love that this project gets the whole family involved in thinking about what matters most.
Plus, it spreads gratitude throughout the entire house!
Chalkboard Table Runner
Instead of a traditional table runner, make your own customizable version with chalkboard vinyl or contact paper.
Start with a strip of black chalkboard vinyl.
Adhere it to a long piece of neutral fabric, like burlap or linen.
This will become your table runner.
Now comes the fun part – decorating it!
Use chalk to draw autumn leaves, acorns, berries, flowers – anything fall-related.
Write thankful messages and doodle harvest motifs.
You can get really creative with this project.
Change up the designs year after year depending on what inspires you!
A chalkboard table runner is also great for getting guests involved.
Leave chalk out so they can add their own blessings and images.
It will become a cherished keepsake.
DIY Pilgrim Hats
For a historical take on Thanksgiving chalk art, have some fun with Pilgrim hats!
Start by using a plate or bowl to trace a round disc for the hat brim.
Then draw a flared out band around the bottom and add the iconic pilgrim buckle on top.
You can make it more authentic by adding details like feathers or roses.
Get creative with shapes, sizes, and styles!
It’s also fun to draw Pilgrim faces inside the hats – especially if you’re doing this activity with kids.
Add colorful collars, hair, and other embellishments to personalize each one.
Hang up your finished Pilgrim hats for a blast from the past this Thanksgiving!
They’re perfect for decorating a kids’ playroom or home classroom.
Chalkboard Monogram & Wreath
Here’s an elegant DIY project for the front door: a family monogram wreath!
Start by using twine, ribbon, garland, faux leaves, etc.
to create a round wreath base.
Then adhesive chalkboard vinyl or contact paper to the inside of the wreath, creating your “chalkboard”.
Use chalk to write your family name initial or last name in the center in cursive.
Outline it with squiggles, leaves, acorns and other Thanksgiving motifs.
You can also wrap fall garlands or flowers around the outside of the wreath for an even fuller look.
Hang it on the front door or above the fireplace mantel.
I love that this project is customized with your family’s name.
It really makes your home feel warm and personal for Thanksgiving gatherings!
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Chalkboard Treat Tags
Finally, here are some fun ways to incorporate chalkboard art into Thanksgiving treats!
Make custom popcorn bags or treat bags using chalkboard paper or tags.
Tie some rustic jute twine to the bags for easy hanging.
Use chalk to draw cute designs, write names, or jot sweet notes.
You can also decorate plain brown lunch bags.
Fold the tops over and secure with twine or stickers to create instant favor bags.
Some cute phrases to include:
– Pop Into the Holiday Spirit!
– Let’s Talk Turkey!
– Pie Love You!
– I’m Just Here for the Stuffing
I like to have personalized favor bags or treat boxes ready so kids can fill them up with goodies to take home after Thanksgiving dinner.
It’s a nice way to send off leftovers too!
The great thing about chalkboard art is that you can get as elaborate or simple as you want.
Don’t be afraid to switch up colors, phrases, or try out new styles until you find designs that fit your personality.
Chalk is wonderfully forgiving so you can erase, tweak, and start over as much as needed.
Have fun getting creative!
The beauty is in the messiness and imperfection.
I hope these Thanksgiving chalkboard inspiration photos sparked some ideas for your own holiday decor!
Share what you create, I’d love to see.
Wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving full of blessings to count.
Now get out there and spread some holiday cheer with chalkboard art!
