Thanksgiving brings a cozy season of gratitude, family gatherings, and, of course, turkey! Beyond the delicious meal, it’s a wonderful time to get creative, especially with the kids. If you’re looking for a way to engage young ones, why not bring out their artistic side with some turkey crafts? These activities not only keep little hands busy but also help them express their creativity and feel part of the Thanksgiving festivities.
Crafting is also a fantastic way to bond as a family, adding memories along with a few new decorations to your home. Plus, these turkey crafts can be adapted for different age groups, so whether you have toddlers or older kids, there’s something here for everyone.
Ready to jump into some fun and colorful ideas? Let’s dive into this list of 17 turkey crafts that are bound to spark creativity and bring plenty of smiles!
1. Handprint Turkey Art
Handprint crafts never get old, especially when it comes to creating adorable turkey art. Kids love seeing their hands transformed into something fun, and parents love the keepsake factor.
How to Make It
- Grab some brown construction paper for the turkey body.
- Have kids dip their hands in different fall-colored paints for the feathers—think reds, yellows, and oranges.
- After pressing their hands down, cut out a turkey shape and paste it in the center.
This project doubles as a sweet keepsake that parents can cherish for years to come.
2. Paper Plate Turkey
Paper plates are an easy-to-find and versatile crafting tool, making them perfect for creating colorful turkeys. These turkeys can be hung up as festive decorations or even used as centerpieces for the Thanksgiving table.
How to Make It
- Paint a paper plate brown for the turkey’s body.
- Cut out feather shapes from construction paper in various fall colors.
- Glue the feathers around the plate’s edge, then add eyes, a beak, and feet.
Kids can even personalize their turkeys by drawing on extra details or adding sparkles.
3. Feathered Turkey Hats
Who doesn’t love a fun Thanksgiving hat? Feathered turkey hats are not only easy to make but also add a playful touch to Thanksgiving celebrations.
How to Make It
- Start with a construction paper strip for the headband.
- Attach large feather shapes made from paper or felt at the back of the headband.
- Add a turkey face to the front, complete with googly eyes and a beak.
Kids will love strutting around in their custom-made turkey hats!
4. Pinecone Turkeys
For a touch of nature, pinecone turkeys are an adorable craft that also gives kids a chance to explore the outdoors. It’s a fantastic way to combine a little nature walk with some Thanksgiving creativity.
How to Make It
- Gather pinecones from outside.
- Use feathers or cut-out paper shapes to create a tail.
- Add googly eyes, a beak, and even a small piece of felt for a wattle.
These little turkeys make fantastic fall decorations that can sit on shelves or tables.
5. Toilet Paper Roll Turkeys
Toilet paper rolls make great bases for all sorts of crafts, and Thanksgiving is no exception. Plus, this project teaches kids about upcycling everyday items.
How to Make It
- Paint the toilet paper roll in brown for the body.
- Glue on colorful paper or felt feathers at the back.
- Add googly eyes and a beak to the front.
This craft can be as simple or elaborate as you want, depending on the kids’ ages and interests.
6. Felt Turkeys for Little Sewers
If your kids are ready to try a bit of sewing, felt turkeys can be a fun and safe beginner project. With felt being so soft and forgiving, it’s perfect for small hands.
How to Make It
- Cut out two brown circles from felt for the body.
- Sew them together, leaving a small opening to stuff with cotton.
- Add feathers, a face, and feet to complete the look.
This craft introduces basic sewing techniques, all while making an adorable stuffed turkey.
7. Spoon Turkeys
Who knew that wooden spoons could transform into adorable Thanksgiving decorations? Spoon turkeys are a quirky and delightful craft that kids will love.
How to Make It
- Paint a wooden spoon brown for the turkey’s body.
- Cut out and glue paper or felt feathers around the top of the spoon handle.
- Add googly eyes and a beak on the spoon’s front.
These little spoon turkeys make great placeholders for Thanksgiving dinner or can be used as puppets for imaginative play.
8. Tissue Paper Turkey Collage
This tissue paper collage is a fun sensory activity, especially for younger kids. The colorful result is perfect for displaying on the fridge or in the kids’ room.
How to Make It
- Start with a large turkey outline on a piece of paper.
- Have kids tear tissue paper into small squares.
- Glue the tissue paper onto the outline, filling in different sections with various colors.
Kids can get as creative as they want, creating a unique turkey with every project.
9. Pinecone and Feather Turkeys
Similar to the regular pinecone turkeys, this version uses real feathers, giving it a unique, textured look. The natural materials make these turkeys feel rustic and festive.
How to Make It
- Collect pinecones and feathers.
- Insert feathers into the pinecone’s crevices, creating a fan-like tail.
- Add googly eyes and a felt beak for the face.
These turkeys make wonderful table centerpieces or even place markers for family dinner.
10. Rock Turkeys
Painting rocks is always a fun project, and this time, they’ll turn into cute little turkeys. Rock turkeys are easy to make, and kids can paint each one differently.
How to Make It
- Find smooth rocks and paint them brown.
- Add paper or felt feathers around the back.
- Paint or glue on eyes and a beak.
Each rock turkey has its own personality, making them unique little pieces of art.
11. Popsicle Stick Turkeys
Popsicle sticks are versatile crafting items that kids can easily glue together and paint. These turkeys can be as simple or detailed as kids want.
How to Make It
- Glue several popsicle sticks together to form the body.
- Attach feathers at the top and add a face on the front.
- Let kids decorate the popsicle sticks with paint, markers, or glitter.
These can be used as festive bookmarks, too!
12. Turkey Puppets with Paper Bags
Who knew lunch bags could double as puppets? Paper bag turkey puppets are both a craft and a toy, perfect for hours of play.
How to Make It
- Paint or color a paper bag brown.
- Add feathers, eyes, and a beak to the bag’s bottom flap.
- Decorate with markers or glitter for extra flair.
These turkeys can be used in a puppet show, adding another layer of fun to the craft.
13. Clay Turkey Ornaments
For kids who love getting their hands into something more tactile, clay turkeys are a perfect choice. These can also double as Thanksgiving ornaments.
How to Make It
- Shape brown clay into a small, round body.
- Add small clay feathers, eyes, and a beak.
- Bake the clay (if oven-safe) to harden it, then let kids paint and decorate.
These durable clay turkeys are fantastic keepsakes that you can bring out year after year.
14. Turkey Finger Puppets
Another fun puppet option, turkey finger puppets, are easy to make and perfect for storytelling. Kids can create their own Thanksgiving stories using these tiny turkeys.
How to Make It
- Cut out a small circle for the body from felt.
- Attach small felt feathers, eyes, and a beak.
- Add a loop at the bottom to fit over a finger.
Kids will love having their own mini turkey on each finger.
15. Pumpkin Seed Turkeys
If you have pumpkin seeds left over from Halloween, this turkey craft is a great way to use them up. Painted seeds add texture and a unique look to your turkeys.
How to Make It
- Paint the pumpkin seeds in fall colors.
- Glue the seeds around a paper turkey body to form feathers.
- Add eyes and a beak to finish it off.
This project introduces some fun textures and recycling to the craft table.
16. Leaf Turkeys
With fall leaves in abundance, leaf turkeys are a great way to use what nature provides. Kids can collect leaves and create unique turkeys for display.
How to Make It
- Gather leaves of different colors and shapes.
- Arrange them around a paper circle to form feathers.
- Add googly eyes and a beak to the circle to create the face.
These leaf turkeys make beautiful, natural decorations.
17. Button Turkey Art
For a bit of a different texture, button turkeys are a fantastic craft that uses an assortment of colors and sizes. Kids can get creative arranging buttons into a turkey’s feathers.
How to Make It
- Draw a turkey outline on paper.
- Glue buttons in various colors and sizes around the turkey’s body for feathers.
- Add details for the face and legs with markers.
Button turkeys are colorful, fun, and easy to make, giving kids a chance to arrange buttons however they like.
Conclusion
Crafting is a wonderful way to keep kids entertained, especially during holiday seasons when the family comes together. With these 17 turkey craft ideas, you have plenty of options to choose from, each one allowing kids to express their creativity while learning about Thanksgiving in a fun, hands-on way.
Whether your young ones enjoy painting, sewing, or using natural materials, there’s a turkey craft here that will suit their style. Plus, each of these crafts makes for great Thanksgiving decorations, personal keepsakes, or even gifts for family members.
So, which turkey craft are you excited to try first? Gather the materials, bring the family together, and let the crafting fun begin! Happy Thanksgiving!
