Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to get kids excited about the holiday with some fun and easy turkey crafts. Hands-on projects allow kids to engage creatively, helping them build festive memories they’ll cherish. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just looking to entertain little ones, these turkey crafts are sure to bring joy to any Thanksgiving celebration.
Here, you’ll find 21 unique turkey crafts for kids, each with its own twist and personality. From simple paper projects to adorable handprint turkeys, there’s something for every age group and skill level. So, gather your art supplies, set up a crafting station, and dive into these turkey-themed activities that will have kids gobbling with excitement!
1۔ Colorful Paper Plate Turkeys
Paper plate turkeys are a Thanksgiving classic, and they’re both simple and budget-friendly. Using materials you probably already have on hand, this craft is perfect for young kids who love coloring, cutting, and gluing. Children can color the plates or use construction paper to create vibrant turkey feathers.
With a few googly eyes, a beak, and a wattle, they can bring their turkeys to life in a fun, hands-on way. To make it extra special, let kids add glitter or stickers to the feathers. These paper plate turkeys make charming Thanksgiving decorations, adding a personal touch to the holiday table.
2. Handprint Turkeys on Canvas
Handprint turkeys are a sweet and meaningful Thanksgiving craft. By pressing their paint-covered hands onto a canvas or construction paper, kids create a unique turkey with their fingers forming the feathers. This keepsake is a wonderful gift idea and can be displayed each Thanksgiving as a treasured memory.
For an even more colorful design, let kids use multiple colors to create vibrant feathers. Adding the child’s name and the year makes the craft even more special, capturing their tiny handprint in a beautiful holiday memory.
3. Cute Pinecone Turkeys
Pinecone turkeys offer a fun way to combine nature with crafting. Gather a few pinecones, then let kids decorate them with googly eyes, paper beaks, and colorful feathers to make adorable turkey characters. The pinecone’s natural texture adds a unique feel, creating a sensory experience kids will enjoy.
This craft makes a delightful Thanksgiving centerpiece or decoration, especially when displayed alongside other natural elements. Pinecone turkeys can also serve as place markers, bringing a charming and rustic touch to the Thanksgiving table.
4. Coffee Filter Turkeys
Coffee filters are ideal for turkey feathers due to their unique texture and ability to absorb colors. Kids can color the filters with markers or watercolors, creating beautiful patterns that blend together. Once dry, these colorful feathers can be attached to a paper turkey body, bringing the creation to life.
These turkeys are great for hanging in windows where sunlight can illuminate the colors, making the feathers glow. The watercolor effect adds an artistic touch that kids will enjoy creating and showing off.
5. Feathered Cup Turkeys
Plastic or paper cups make the perfect base for feathered cup turkeys. Start by covering the cup with brown paint or construction paper, then add colorful feathers to the back to create the turkey’s tail. Complete the face with googly eyes, a beak, and a wattle for an adorable look.
This craft lets kids express their creativity through color and design, as they mix and match feathers to create vibrant patterns. These cup turkeys are sturdy and can be displayed as a Thanksgiving table decoration or even used as place markers.
6. Pom-Pom Turkeys
Pom-pom turkeys are soft, fluffy, and very easy to make, which makes them a favorite with young kids. Start with a large pom-pom for the body, then add smaller ones for the head. Glue on googly eyes, a small beak, and some colorful feather accents to complete the look.
Kids love the tactile experience of working with pom-poms, and the soft, fuzzy texture adds a fun sensory element. You can use different sizes and colors of pom-poms to make each turkey unique, adding even more personality to these charming little birds.
7. Turkey Headbands
Turkey headbands allow kids to craft something they can wear, making them feel extra festive for Thanksgiving. Start with a strip of construction paper cut to fit around each child’s head, then let them decorate it with colorful feathers, a paper beak, and googly eyes.
Once complete, kids can wear their turkey headbands during Thanksgiving festivities, adding a fun, interactive element to the holiday. These headbands also make for adorable family photos, capturing everyone in the Thanksgiving spirit.
8. Popsicle Stick Turkeys
Popsicle stick turkeys are quick, simple, and easy on the budget. Arrange the sticks in a fan shape to create feathers, or use a single line for the body. Kids can paint each stick in autumn colors, then add a construction paper face to bring the turkey to life.
These turkeys make great ornaments, and kids can personalize them with their favorite colors and patterns. Popsicle stick turkeys also make fantastic tabletop decorations, adding a touch of homemade charm to any Thanksgiving setup.
9. Felt Turkeys with Movable Wings
Felt turkeys are soft and easy to make, with the added fun of movable wings! Cut out a round body, head, beak, and colorful feathers from felt, then use brads to attach the wings so they can move. This craft develops fine motor skills and offers a little extra fun with interactive wings.
Felt turkeys make wonderful toys after crafting, as kids can move the wings to create different poses. These turkeys are perfect for playful holiday decorations that kids can interact with even after the crafting session ends.
10. Rock Turkeys
Rock turkeys are perfect for outdoor crafting and offer a fun way to turn nature into art. Collect some smooth rocks and let kids paint them with turkey designs, adding feathers, a beak, and eyes. These rock turkeys are durable and can be displayed indoors or out.
Painting on rocks also introduces kids to different textures, helping them think creatively as they work. Rock turkeys make adorable garden decorations and can even be added to a Thanksgiving centerpiece for a unique touch.
11. Fingerprint Turkeys
Fingerprint turkeys are a great choice for younger kids, as they allow kids to create colorful feathers using their fingerprints. Draw or print a turkey body, then let kids dip their fingers in paint and add fingerprints around the turkey, creating a colorful feather pattern.
This craft makes for a beautiful keepsake that captures each child’s unique fingerprint. Adding the year and child’s name makes it even more special, creating a timeless memory of Thanksgiving.
12. Paper Bag Turkey Puppets
Paper bag turkeys are a fun, hands-on craft that also doubles as a puppet for imaginative play. Kids can decorate the bag with googly eyes, a beak, and feathers, creating a unique turkey puppet they can play with afterward.
This craft encourages storytelling and imagination, as kids can come up with turkey-themed adventures. Paper bag turkeys make for delightful Thanksgiving skits or puppet shows, adding a bit of drama and play to the holiday festivities.
13. Painted Pinecone Turkey Placeholders
Mini pinecone turkeys make lovely placeholders for Thanksgiving guests. Kids can paint each pinecone in fall colors, then attach a small name tag for a personal touch. These painted pinecones give the table a festive and rustic look, bringing natural elements into your decor.
This craft encourages kids to create something meaningful for the Thanksgiving table, allowing them to personalize each piece with their creativity. Painted pinecone placeholders add a beautiful homemade charm to your holiday setup.
14. Edible Turkey Crafts with Fruit
Turn snack time into craft time with edible turkey crafts! Using apple slices, candy eyes, and other fruits or veggies for feathers, kids can build their own turkey snacks. This craft lets kids get creative with their food while enjoying a healthy treat afterward.
Edible turkeys are a fantastic way to engage kids in crafting while promoting healthy eating. After crafting their turkeys, kids can enjoy a Thanksgiving-themed snack that’s as fun to eat as it was to make.
15. Clothespin Turkeys
Clothespin turkeys are small but full of charm, perfect for adding a festive touch to any surface. Kids can paint the clothespins in turkey colors, then add feathers and a face to bring them to life. These clothespins can clip onto napkins, plants, or anywhere you want a festive turkey presence.
Clothespin turkeys are easy to make and can be used to decorate in a variety of ways. Their small size and versatility make them a fun project for kids to create and display around the house.
16. Wreath of Turkey Feathers
Creating a wreath of turkey feathers is a fantastic way to incorporate gratitude into Thanksgiving crafting. Kids can decorate each paper feather with something they’re grateful for, then assemble them into a beautiful wreath shape. Hang it on the wall to display these messages of thanks.
This project encourages kids to reflect on gratitude, adding a meaningful element to their crafting. The gratitude wreath makes a lovely reminder of the holiday’s themes of thankfulness and togetherness.
17. Thanksgiving Turkey Suncatchers
Thanksgiving turkey suncatchers brighten up any window with festive colors. Using tissue paper and clear contact paper, kids can create vibrant turkey shapes, filling them with colorful tissue paper. When hung in a sunny window, these suncatchers bring warmth and joy to the room.
This craft is perfect for adding a bit of holiday cheer to your space. Kids can experiment with different color patterns, creating unique designs for each turkey suncatcher.
18. Tissue Paper Feathered Turkeys
Tissue paper feathered turkeys are an excellent sensory activity for kids. Using balled-up pieces of tissue paper, kids can create textured, layered feathers for their turkeys. Glue the tissue onto a paper turkey shape, adding depth and color for a fun effect.
This craft lets kids explore texture and color while creating something beautiful for Thanksgiving. Tissue paper turkeys make adorable table decorations and are perfect for little hands to work with.
19. Recycled Bottle Turkeys
Recycled bottle turkeys are a creative way to turn old plastic bottles into art. Fill the bottle with colored beads or sand, add feathers, and create a face with construction paper. This upcycling project is not only creative but also eco-friendly, teaching kids about reusing materials.
Kids love the idea of turning a simple bottle into a festive turkey. These recycled bottle turkeys make unique decorations and bring a sense of environmental awareness to Thanksgiving crafting.
Conclusion
Turkey crafts for kids are more than just creative projects; they’re a way to make Thanksgiving memorable and meaningful. These activities let kids express themselves, practice motor skills, and bond with family or friends. Whether your little ones enjoy painting, gluing, or playing with textures, there’s a turkey craft here for everyone.
Set up your crafting table, gather supplies, and let the turkey-themed fun begin! Each craft offers a unique opportunity for kids to celebrate Thanksgiving in their own creative way. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with gratitude, creativity, and plenty of turkey fun!