How to Make a Thanksgiving Cornucopia Craft

The cornucopia is a symbol of abundance. Also called the horn of plenty, the cornucopia spills over with fruits, vegetables, flowers and other good things from the harvest. It has become one of the most popular decorations to make for Thanksgiving day. It is also a very simple craft project which can be done together with the children. Try assembling the basic cornucopia shape ahead of time so that the kids can cut out shapes and glue them while you're cooking Thanksgiving dinner.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 5 paper plates
• Brown craft paint
• Paint brush
• 2 cups
• Stapler
• Magazines and grocery store flyers
• Scissors

1. 

   Spread some newspaper across a clean, clear workspace. Fill one cup full of water and wet your brushes. Fill a disposable cup with a shallow pool of dark brown craft paint. Paint four of the paper plates on the top side. Allow the paint to dry completely before continuing.

2. 

   Cut the fifth paper plate in a tail shape. Paint this brown as well.

3. 

   Staple the plates together, overlapping them so that about a quarter of each plate shows on the right of the plate in front of it. Attach the tail-shaped plate at the end so that the tail of the cornucopia is visible.

4. 

   Paint over the staples with brown paint. Set the cornucopia aside to dry.

5. 

   Cut out pictures of produce and flowers from grocery store flyers, magazines and newspaper inserts. Avoid pictures of prepared foods such as pies and cookies. Instead, look for whole fruits and vegetables, both raw and cooked. Look in particular for pictures of whole pumpkins, corn on the cob and apples.

6. 

   Spread glue on the reverse side of the pictures with a paint brush or scraper. Attach them to the foremost paper plate on the cornucopia and spread them smooth with your fingers.

7. 

   Attach the cornucopia to a door or wall using looped box tape on the reverse side. If attaching the cornucopia to a window, place the decorative side toward the window pane and place tape around the edges.

Tips & Warnings

• Staple the plates together so that they curve downward slightly at the opening, then make an upward curve at the tail of the cornucopia.

• Don't rule out spring and summer vegetables when cutting out pictures for your project.

• Rinse and save fast food beverage cups to hold water and craft paint.