Make an adorable torn paper pumpkin pie craft for Thanksgiving! This easy preschool craft uses construction paper, crayons, and cotton balls. Free template included.
Torn Paper Pumpkin Pie Craft
Looking for a fun and easy Thanksgiving craft for kids? This adorable torn paper pumpkin pie craft is a simple, hands-on activity that’s perfect for preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary children.
Made with orange and brown construction paper, crayons, and a fluffy cotton ball for whipped cream, this cute little pumpkin pie slice is almost good enough to eat!
I especially love crafts that use everyday supplies and give little hands plenty of opportunities to practice important skills. This one checks both boxes!
Children get to color, tear paper, glue, and create their very own slice of pumpkin pie. And the best part? There’s no need for everything to look perfect.
Whether you’re planning Thanksgiving activities for your classroom, putting together a fall craft center, or looking for a simple project to make at home, this easy torn paper pumpkin pie craft is a great choice.
Plus, I’ve included a free printable pumpkin pie template to make getting started even easier.
Easy Torn Paper Pumpkin Pie Craft
There’s something about pumpkin pie that immediately makes me think of Thanksgiving!
And while baking a real pumpkin pie with kids can be a lot of fun, this paper version is much easier to put together with a classroom full of preschoolers or kindergarteners.
The idea is simple: children color a pumpkin pie slice, cover it with torn pieces of orange construction paper, add a brown paper crust, and finish everything off with a cotton-ball dollop of whipped cream.
The finished torn paper pumpkin pie craft has lots of texture and dimension, which makes it especially cute displayed on a classroom bulletin board.
I also love that this Thanksgiving craft encourages creativity and independence. Children can tear their paper into different shapes and sizes, overlap their pieces, and make their pumpkin pie slices completely their own.
Why You’ll Love This Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Craft
This easy torn paper pumpkin pie craft is one of those activities that looks adorable when it’s finished but doesn’t require complicated preparation.
Here’s why I think it’s such a great choice for young children:
- 🥧 Simple supplies: You only need construction paper, crayons, glue, scissors, and a cotton ball.
- 🧡 Fine motor practice: Tearing paper, coloring, and gluing help strengthen the small muscles in children’s hands.
- 🤎 Beginner-friendly: The steps are easy to follow, making this a great craft for preschoolers and kindergarteners.
- ✂️ Cutting practice: Children can practice using scissors to cut out their template and make the brown paper crust.
- 🍂 Perfect for Thanksgiving: This cute torn paper pumpkin pie craft makes a fun addition to Thanksgiving lessons, classroom displays, and seasonal art centers.
- 🤍 Every pie is unique: There’s no right or wrong way to arrange the torn paper, so each finished craft looks a little different.
Supplies You’ll Need
You don’t need anything fancy to make this cute Thanksgiving craft. In fact, you probably already have most of these supplies in your classroom or craft cupboard.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Free printable pumpkin pie slice template – get the pdf file at the very bottom of this post
- White cardstock
- Construction paper in orange and brown
- Orange crayon
- Brown crayon
- Child-safe scissors
- Glue
- Cotton balls
My tip: I recommend printing the template on white cardstock if you have some available. It’s a little sturdier than regular printer paper, especially once children start adding layers of construction paper and glue.
Download the Free Pumpkin Pie Craft Template
To make this torn paper pumpkin pie craft as easy as possible, I’ve created a free printable pumpkin pie slice template.
The template includes the triangular pie filling and curved crust, so children can focus on decorating their pumpkin pie instead of drawing the shape themselves.
Simply print the template, gather your supplies, and you’re ready to get started!
Print the template at 100% scale on standard 8.5 x 11-inch cardstock.
How to Make a Torn Paper Pumpkin Pie Craft
Ready to make your own torn paper pumpkin pie craft?
Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to create this adorable Thanksgiving craft with your kids.
Step 1: Cut Out the Pumpkin Pie Template
Start by printing the free pumpkin pie craft template on white cardstock or sturdy printer paper.
Use scissors to carefully cut around the outside of the pumpkin pie slice, following the curved crust and pointed bottom.
Younger preschoolers may need help with this step, especially when cutting around the curved edge.
If you’re making this craft with a large group, you can also cut out the templates ahead of time.
Step 2: Color the Pie Crust Brown
Next, grab a brown crayon and color the curved crust section at the top of the pumpkin pie slice.
Encourage children to cover as much of the crust as they can, but remind them that their coloring doesn’t need to be perfect.
We’ll be adding brown construction paper over this section later, so any little gaps or scribbles will be covered up.
This is a great opportunity for younger children to practice holding and controlling a crayon.
Step 3: Color the Pumpkin Pie Orange
Now it’s time to color the pumpkin pie filling!
Using an orange crayon, color the triangular section of the pumpkin pie slice.
Again, don’t worry about staying perfectly inside the lines or covering every little bit of white paper.
The orange crayon simply creates a colorful background underneath the torn construction paper.
That way, if there are little gaps between the pieces of paper later, they’ll blend right into the pumpkin pie.
Step 4: Tear and Glue the Orange Construction Paper
This is my favorite part of the craft!
Give children a sheet of orange construction paper and encourage them to tear it into smaller pieces.
The pieces don’t need to be the same size or shape. In fact, having a variety of irregular pieces gives the finished pumpkin pie a wonderful textured appearance.
Once they’ve torn enough paper, it’s time to start gluing.
Apply glue to the orange filling section of the pumpkin pie template and begin pressing the torn paper pieces into place.
Encourage children to overlap their pieces slightly as they work, covering as much of the orange section as possible.
Continue until the entire pumpkin pie filling is covered with torn orange construction paper.
Teacher tip: Tearing paper is a fantastic fine motor activity! It encourages children to use both hands together while strengthening the small muscles they’ll eventually use for writing, cutting, and other everyday tasks.
Step 5: Make the Brown Paper Pie Crust
Now that the pumpkin pie filling is complete, it’s time to add the crust!
Cut brown construction paper into small squares or rectangles.
You can prepare these pieces ahead of time for younger children or let older preschoolers and kindergarteners practice cutting their own.
Apply glue along the curved crust section at the top of the pumpkin pie slice.
Then, begin arranging the brown paper pieces side by side, following the curve of the crust.
Press each piece down gently to secure it in place.
Don’t worry if some of the pieces overlap or extend slightly beyond the edge of the template.
Those little imperfections are part of what makes handmade crafts so cute!
Step 6: Add the Cotton-Ball Whipped Cream
Every good slice of pumpkin pie needs a little whipped cream!
To finish the craft, add a small amount of glue near the center of the pumpkin pie slice.
Place one fluffy white cotton ball on top of the glue and press it down gently.
The cotton ball creates an adorable three-dimensional dollop of whipped cream that really makes this paper pumpkin pie come to life.
Allow the glue to dry completely before handling or displaying the finished craft.
And that’s it!
Your adorable torn paper pumpkin pie craft is complete!
Tips for Making This Craft With Preschoolers
If you’re planning to make this Thanksgiving craft with a group of preschoolers or kindergarteners, here are a few simple tips to make the activity go smoothly.
Prepare the templates ahead of time. If you’re working with younger preschoolers, cutting out the pumpkin pie slices before the activity can save time and frustration.
Use small bowls or trays for paper scraps. Place torn orange construction paper and brown crust pieces in separate containers so children can easily grab what they need.
Encourage children to tear their own paper. It might be tempting to prepare all the orange pieces in advance, but tearing is one of the most valuable parts of this activity.
Don’t worry about perfection. Some children will cover every inch of their pumpkin pie, while others might leave a few gaps. Both are completely fine!
Let everything dry before displaying. The cotton-ball whipped cream may need a little extra drying time to stay securely attached.
Skills Children Practice With This Torn Paper Craft
One of the reasons I love torn paper crafts for young children is that they’re so much more than just a fun art activity.
This simple torn paper pumpkin pie craft gives children an opportunity to work on several important early childhood skills.
Fine motor skills: Tearing construction paper strengthens the small muscles in children’s hands and fingers.
Hand-eye coordination: Children practice coordinating their hand movements as they color, glue, and position their paper pieces.
Bilateral coordination: Holding paper with one hand while tearing with the other encourages children to use both hands together.
Scissor skills: Cutting out the template and making the brown crust pieces provides opportunities to practice using scissors.
Following directions: Completing the pumpkin pie craft in sequence helps children practice following simple, multi-step instructions.
Creativity and independence: Children get to decide how to tear and arrange their paper pieces, making each finished pumpkin pie unique.
Thanksgiving Storytime: Books to Pair With This Craft
I always love pairing a simple craft with a good picture book, especially during the holidays!
Reading a Thanksgiving story before making this torn paper pumpkin pie craft is a wonderful way to introduce the activity and encourage children to talk about family traditions, gratitude, and favorite holiday foods.
Here are a few books that would pair beautifully with this project.
Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie – This is my favorite pairing for this craft! Peyton is a picky eater who’s determined to find the perfect pie during Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a sweet and relatable story about trying new foods, family traditions, and discovering that sometimes the best things are the ones we least expect.
The Runaway Pumpkin – This fun, rhyming picture book tells the story of a giant pumpkin that rolls away after being picked. With plenty of silly moments and references to delicious pumpkin treats, it’s a great fall read-aloud for preschoolers and kindergarteners.
The Berenstain Bear’s Give Thanks – I have such a soft spot for the Berenstain Bears books! They’re nostalgic favorites of mine, and I love finding ways to pair these familiar stories with simple seasonal crafts. Give Thanks is a lovely Thanksgiving story about gratitude, family, and appreciating what we have..
Ways to Use Your Finished Pumpkin Pie Crafts
Once the glue has dried, there are lots of fun ways to use these adorable pumpkin pie slices!
Create a Thanksgiving bulletin board. Display everyone’s finished crafts together with a cute title like “We’re Thankful for Our Little Cutie Pies!”
Decorate your classroom. Hang the pumpkin pie slices on a wall, classroom door, or seasonal art display.
Make a pretend Thanksgiving bakery. Add the finished crafts to a dramatic play center and let children pretend to serve slices of pumpkin pie.
Pair them with a writing activity. Ask older children to complete the sentence “I am thankful for…” and display their writing alongside their pumpkin pie craft.
Use them for Thanksgiving storytime. Read a pumpkin-themed picture book and make the craft as a follow-up activity.
No matter how you decide to use them, these colorful paper pumpkin pie slices are sure to make an adorable Thanksgiving display.
Download Instructions
Getting your hands on our torn paper pumpkin pie craft template is easy. Fill out the form at the bottom of this post and click the “Send Me the Printable” button.
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Still having trouble downloading our torn paper pumpkin pie craft template? Check out this step-by-step download guide with images!
More Thanksgiving Crafts and Activities for Kids
Looking for more fun Thanksgiving crafts and activities to keep little hands busy this November?
I’ve got plenty of easy, screen-free ideas that are perfect for preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary children.
From adorable turkey crafts and pumpkin pie activities to free Thanksgiving printables, these projects are great for classroom art centers, Thanksgiving parties, and crafting at home.
Fall Leaf Turkey Craft
Our Fall Leaf Turkey Craft is a colorful Thanksgiving project that combines autumn leaves with a cute paper turkey.
Children use colorful fall leaves to create the turkey’s feathers before adding its face and body. It’s a fun way to bring a little nature into your Thanksgiving crafting.
Fork Painted Turkey Craft
Grab a plastic fork and some colorful paint to make this adorable Fork Painted Turkey Craft.
Kids use a fork to paint colorful turkey feathers before adding a construction paper body, googly eyes, and a cute little beak. It’s a fun Thanksgiving process art activity that’s perfect for preschool and kindergarten.
Turkey Name Craft
Combine Thanksgiving crafting with early literacy practice using our Turkey Name Craft.
Children color, cut, and assemble their own adorable turkey before adding the letters of their name to its colorful feathers. This hands-on name recognition activity makes a cute November bulletin board display.
Pumpkin Pie Name Craft
If your kids love this torn paper pumpkin pie craft, they’ll have just as much fun making our Pumpkin Pie Name Craft.
Children decorate a pumpkin pie slice before adding little whipped cream dollops that spell out their name. It’s a sweet Thanksgiving literacy activity for preschool and kindergarten.
Easy Paper Bag Turkey Craft
Turn an ordinary paper bag into an adorable Thanksgiving turkey with our Easy Paper Bag Turkey Craft.
This simple turkey project is a fun way for children to get creative with everyday craft supplies while making a cute Thanksgiving decoration.
Thanksgiving Coloring Pages
Need a quiet Thanksgiving activity for your classroom or home? Our free Thanksgiving Coloring Pages are a great choice.
These printable coloring activities are perfect for November morning work, early finishers, classroom parties, and relaxing screen-free fun.
Printable Pilgrim Hat Template
Our free Printable Pilgrim Hat Template makes it easy for children to create a paper hat for Thanksgiving.
Kids can color, cut, and assemble their own hats while practicing important fine motor skills. It’s a simple addition to Thanksgiving classroom activities.
Thanksgiving Thankful Turkey Printable
Encourage children to think about gratitude with our Thanksgiving Thankful Turkey Printable.
Kids color and assemble their turkeys before writing or drawing things they’re thankful for on the feathers. It’s a meaningful Thanksgiving activity that combines crafting, creativity, and early writing practice.
Paper Plate Turkey Craft
Our Paper Plate Turkey Craft is a classic Thanksgiving activity that’s always fun to make.
Children use colorful paint to decorate a paper plate before adding a construction paper turkey face. The finished turkeys make adorable decorations for a November classroom bulletin board.
Pumpkin Pie Paper Plate Craft
Can’t get enough pumpkin pie crafts? Try our Pumpkin Pie Paper Plate Craft next!
Children paint a paper plate orange, add a brown construction paper crust, and finish their pretend pumpkin pie with fluffy cotton-ball whipped cream.
It’s another fun Thanksgiving craft for preschoolers and kindergarteners who love hands-on art activities.
Turkey Handprint Craft
Capture those adorable little hands with our Turkey Handprint Craft.
This sweet Thanksgiving keepsake turns a child’s handprint into a colorful turkey. It’s a lovely project to send home to families or display in the classroom during November.
For even more seasonal inspiration, be sure to explore our complete collection of Thanksgiving Crafts and Activities for Kids.
Final Thoughts
This torn paper pumpkin pie craft is exactly the kind of Thanksgiving activity I love most: simple supplies, plenty of hands-on creativity, and an adorable finished project that kids can feel proud of.
I especially love how the torn orange construction paper gives each pumpkin pie slice its own unique texture, while the cotton-ball whipped cream adds such a cute finishing touch.
And with all that tearing, coloring, cutting, and gluing, children get plenty of opportunities to practice important fine motor skills along the way.
Whether you’re making these little pumpkin pies at home, adding them to a preschool Thanksgiving theme, or creating an entire classroom bulletin board full of delicious-looking paper pies, I hope your kids have as much fun making them as I did!
Don’t forget to download your free pumpkin pie craft template before getting started!
Happy Thanksgiving and happy crafting! 🥧🧡
