Fall is in the air, leaves are changing colors, and everyone’s getting ready for Thanksgiving!
What better way to get into the festive spirit (and keep little hands busy) than with some adorable turkey crafts?
These 25 ideas cater to a range of ages and skill levels, using materials you probably already have around the house.
So, gather your little turkeys, put on some music, and get ready to gobble up some crafting fun!
Easy Peasy Paper Crafts:
Paper Plate Gobblers:
This classic is a winner for a reason! Cut a paper plate in half, glue on construction paper circles for the body and head, then let your child decorate with feathers (cut paper strips or use colorful craft feathers), a wattle (red paper), and googly eyes.
Blotted Beauty Turkeys:
Perfect for preschoolers, this craft uses coffee filters and paints. Dilute some washable paints with water and let your child drip them onto a coffee filter. Once dry, cut out a turkey shape, glue on construction paper features, and watch the beautiful “feathers” bloom!
Handprint Turkeys with a Thankful Twist:
A Thanksgiving staple, this craft gets an upgrade with a message of gratitude. Trace your child’s hand on construction paper and cut it out. Decorate the fingers as colorful feathers and write something they’re thankful for on the body.
Paper Bag Gobbledygooks:
Brown paper lunch bags become adorable turkeys with a little creativity. Decorate the bag with construction paper or paint for the body. Cut out feathers from colored paper and glue them around the bottom of the bag. Add a beak, wattle, eyes, and pipe cleaner legs for a playful touch.
Popsicle Stick Parade:
This simple craft is perfect for younger children. Glue three popsicle sticks together in a fan shape for the feathers. Decorate the middle stick with construction paper or paint for the body, and add a beak, wattle, and googly eyes.
Fantastic Fall Fun with Recycled Materials:
Pinecone Pilgrims:
Take a walk in nature and collect some pinecones. Paint them brown for the body and glue on construction paper circles for the head. Cut colorful felt or construction paper for hats and buckles, and add googly eyes for a charming pilgrim-turkey mashup.
Egg Carton Extravaganza:
Don’t toss those empty egg cartons! Cut out individual egg cups and glue them together to form a turkey body. Paint it or decorate with craft paper. Cut out feathers, a wattle, and a beak from construction paper and assemble your recycled masterpiece!
CD Thankful Turkeys:
Recycle old CDs into shiny showstopper turkeys! Cover the CD with construction paper or paint for the body. Cut out colorful feathers and glue them around the outside edge. Use markers or stickers to write things you’re thankful for on the body.
Leaf Litter Turkeys:
This craft is a great way to use beautiful fall leaves! Glue a large leaf onto construction paper for the body. Use smaller leaves of different shapes and colors to create a collage of feathers. Add construction paper features and googly eyes for a truly unique turkey.
Toilet Paper Roll Gobblers:
These little guys are perfect for using up leftover toilet paper rolls. Cut the roll in half and flatten it slightly. Paint it brown or decorate with construction paper. Glue on colorful feathers, a beak, wattle, and googly eyes for a whimsical turkey friend.
Feathery Fun with Fabric and Yarn:
Yarn Gobble Gobblers:
This craft is great for practicing fine motor skills. Cut out a turkey shape from felt or cardboard. Let your child poke holes around the edge with a blunt needle (with adult supervision). Then, they can thread yarn through the holes, creating a colorful, textured masterpiece.
Sock Puppet Shenanigans:
Repurpose old socks into delightful turkey puppets! Cut off the toe of a sock and glue on construction paper circles for the eyes. Decorate the sock with felt or fabric scraps for the beak and wattle. Add googly eyes and glue on popsicle sticks for handles. Now your child can put on a puppet show!
No-Sew Fleece Fun:
This craft is perfect for young children who aren’t quite ready for sewing. Cut out two turkey shapes from different colored fleece fabric. Glue them together, leaving an opening at the bottom. Stuff with cotton balls and glue shut. Decorate with felt or fabric scraps for the beak, wattle, and eyes.
Feathery Finger Puppets:
These little guys are perfect for storytelling and imaginative play. Cut out small turkey shapes from felt and felt scraps for the beak, wattle, and eyes. Glue the felt pieces onto the turkey body.
Paper Quilled Gobblers:
This craft requires a bit more patience but creates stunning results. Use thin strips of colored paper to create looped quilling shapes. Glue them together to form the turkey’s body, feathers, and wattle. This craft is great for older children or a parent-child activity.
Feathery Foam Fun:
Craft foam sheets come in a variety of colors and are perfect for creating 3D turkeys. Cut out different sized foam circles for the body and head. Layer them together and secure with craft pins. Cut out foam shapes for feathers, a beak, and wattle, and glue them onto the body.
Turkey Masks for a Gobble-licious Time:
Cardboard or construction paper makes fantastic mask bases. Cut out a turkey face shape and decorate it with feathers, a beak, wattle, and eyes. Add a string or elastic band for wearing and get ready for some festive photo ops!
Nature’s Treasure Turkeys:
Take a walk in nature and collect interesting finds like leaves, twigs, acorns, and pebbles. Glue these natural materials onto construction paper to create a unique and textured turkey collage.
Thankful Turkey Wreaths:
This craft is a lovely Thanksgiving decoration. Cut a large circle from cardboard and decorate it with paint, fall leaves, or glitter. Glue on construction paper circles for the turkey’s head and body. Cut out colorful feathers and arrange them around the cardboard circle to create a wreath. Add a message of thanks on the body for a personal touch.
Beyond the Paper Plate: Fun and Functional Crafts:
Turkey Treat Cups:
Repurpose plastic cups or paper cups! Decorate them with construction paper or paint for the body. Glue on colorful feathers, a beak, and googly eyes. Fill them with candy or small toys for a festive and functional Thanksgiving party favor.
Turkey Placemats:
Construction paper or felt placemats get a Thanksgiving makeover! Cut out a turkey shape or trace your child’s handprint for the outline. Decorate with feathers, a beak, wattle, and eyes. Laminate or use clear contact paper to make them wipeable and reusable.
Turkey Napkin Holders:
Dress up your Thanksgiving table with these adorable napkin holders. Cut out a turkey shape from cardboard or felt. Decorate it with feathers, a beak, wattle, and eyes. Glue a small clothespin to the back to hold napkins in place.
Turkey Pencil Pouches:
Felt or fabric scraps turn into useful pencil pouches. Cut out two turkey shapes from felt or fabric. Sew them together, leaving an opening at the top. Turn it right-side out, stuff with cotton balls (optional), and sew the opening shut. Decorate with felt or fabric scraps for the beak, wattle, and eyes.
Gobbling Goodie Bags:
Brown paper lunch bags get a turkey makeover! Decorate them with construction paper or paint for the body. Cut out colorful feathers and glue them around the bottom of the bag. Add a beak, wattle, eyes, and pipe cleaner handles for a playful way to hold Thanksgiving treats.
Thankful Turkey Garland:
String together construction paper circles or cut out turkey shapes for a festive Thanksgiving garland. Decorate with feathers, markers, or stickers. Write messages of thanks on each turkey for a heartfelt touch.
Crafting Tips:
- Gather your materials beforehand and lay them out on a crafting surface.
- Cover your workspace with newspaper or a tablecloth to protect surfaces.
- Use child-safe scissors and glue.
- Adult supervision is recommended for younger children, especially with activities that involve sharp objects or hot glue.
- Let your child’s creativity soar! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different materials and techniques.
- Most importantly, have fun and gobble up some crafting joy with your little turkeys!
With these 25 turkey crafts, you’re sure to find the perfect activity to keep your kids entertained and engaged this fall season. So, grab your supplies, put on some music, and get ready to create some feathery fun! Happy crafting!
