Thankful Pumpkin {Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece Idea}

This easy Thanksgiving centerpiece idea is perfect for kids and adults alike! A “thankful” pumpkin is a fun fall tradition that cultivates gratitude, and can be displayed all season!

UPDATE: we have made these every year for the past three years and our family enjoys them so much! It’s not to late to start this easy fall tradition!

I’m always on the lookout for easy and beautiful Thanksgiving printables and Thanksgiving crafts for kids (and adults).

If the idea includes an interactive activity that helps my family cultivate gratitude for all that we have, all the better!

This “thankful” pumpkin fits the bill perfectly. Like this Thankful Turkey Craft, it’s a simple and creative way to help your kids build the lifelong skill of expressing gratitude for the many blessings in their lives.

It’s perfect for kids and adults alike, and can be displayed throughout the season.

Alternatively, you can display blank pumpkins and have guests fill them in during your Thanksgiving celebration. 

How Long Do Pumpkins Last?

Using a real pumpkin and want to know how long it’ll last?

If it’s kept in a cool area with plenty of circulating air, a whole, uncarved, real pumpkin can last two to three months.

Once carved, though, pumpkins can generally last up for only three to five days, or possibly up to two weeks if you live in a colder climate (or keep it in the fridge at night).

Thankful Pumpkin

Ok, let’s get started on how you can make your own thankful pumpkin…

Start with a blank pumpkin. I used a faux pumpkin, so that we could keep and display these each year, but a real pumpkin would work, too!

Either hand-write or use vinyl to spelling out “thankful” on your pumpkin.

Etsy has some vinyl options if you don’t have a vinyl cutting machine. Here are some options I like….

Thankful Vinyl

• thankful vinyl from Palmetto Design
• thankful and blessed decal
• thankful vinyl with leaf accent

I went with a turquoise color to match the rest of our dining room decor.

Put out a couple of permanent markers (I used gold, but a  mix of fall colors would work, too), and you’re ready to go!

Every day, each member of the family writes something that they’re thankful for. What a GREAT way to cultivate a grateful heart!

To add to our centerpiece, I added some blooms to glass jars and displayed them around our thankful pumpkin.

This is a great activity to have out for a fall or Thanksgiving get together. The pumpkin can be kept (if it’s faux) and displayed for years to come!

What a special memory!

Such a fun and EASY fall centerpiece that can be displayed year after year!

We have more festive fall crafts and decor in our archives…

7 Printable Fall Crafts for Kids
Fall Porch Decorating Ideas
Apple Pretzel Bites

Thanks for reading all about our Thankful Pumpkin {Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece Idea}

Have a fantastic day!