Native American Crafts for Thanksgiving

Native American Branch Weaving
Take your child on a nature walk to find branches that can be turned into Native American rattles.

You will need:
Small tree branch that is Y-shaped
Yarn in two or three colors
Plastic or wood beads
Optional: Plastic Native American charms like claws or arrowheads (can be found in craft stores)

Starting at the bottom of the branch, loop yarn around and around, continuing to loop out toward the end of the branch. When you're finished, knot another string of yarn at the top of the one end of the Y-shaped branch. String on some beads and/or charms. Tie off the other end securely.

Bear Skin Placemat
Native Americans wrote with pictographs (picture symbols). Use Native American symbols to decorate a placemat that can be used at your Thanksgiving feast.

You will need:
Brown grocery bags
Colored markers
Optional: Clear plastic adhesive paper

Cut a brown grocery bag and open it flat. Draw and cut out the shape of a bearskin. On the plain side, draw Native American symbols with colored markers. Place clear adhesive paper on top to keep the placemat water resistant. Together, discuss the symbols that your child drew on the skin and how they relate to Native American life.

Native American Recipe

Harvest Snack Mix
Cranberries were very popular with the Native Americans. They were called "ibimi" or "bitterberries" by the Cape Cod Pequot tribes and later dubbed "crane berries" by European settlers who observed that this berry's vine blossoms resembled the neck, head, and bill of a crane. Cranberries add a seasonal tartness to this yummy harvest snack mix.

You will need:
One cup sweet dried cranberries
One cup sunflower seeds
One cup pine nuts
One cup pumpkin seeds
One cup raisins
Several cups popped popcorn

Measure all the ingredients and dump them into a large mixing bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon until all ingredients are well combined. Place in a festive bowl or serve in individual paper cups. For a fun presentation, cornucopias (horns of plenty) can be made by rolling a small sheet of colored construction paper into a cone. Tape the seams closed and fill the cones with harvest mix.