25 Fun and Easy Kids Turkey Crafts for Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and, of course, delicious food. But before you get to the feast, why not engage the little ones in some creative fun or a traditional activity to do every year? Turkey crafts are a classic holiday activity that not only keeps kids entertained but also creates memorable keepsakes to cherish for years to come.

Whether you’re looking for a simple project for a toddler or a more involved craft for an older child, we’ve compiled a list of 25 of the best and most popular kids’ turkey crafts. We’ve also included answers to your most common questions to ensure your crafting session is a huge success!

25 Best Kids Turkey Crafts Ideas

These crafts are perennial favorites for a reason—they are easy, fun, and use materials you likely already have at home.

1. Turkey Candle Craft

Make a turkey candle votive with tissue paper, pom pom ball and glue.

2. Toddlers Turkey Crafts

Very interesting thanksgiving activities for kids using paper. Draw turkeys using paper cutouts and count.

3. Turkey Table Topper

Turn any basket into turkey serving basket with paper and art. Not only can this festive bird really dress up your thanksgiving table. It also does double duty serving up your dinner rolls.

4. Kids Turkey Games

Set a games placemat like tic tac turkey game for the kids to play while you are busy setting the table on thanksgiving.

5. Thanksgiving Turkey Bowling

Turn pin wheels into turkey faces with sticky back felt cutouts.

6. Fall Wreath

Make a fall wreath with fabric and paper leaves. You can find cutouts for Fall at dollar store. Have the kids enjoy sticking them to a wreath form.

7. Thanksgiving Gourd Gobbler Craft

Make thanksgiving gourd gobbler with corn husk and stick to a gourd or pumpkin for porch decor.

8. A Gratitude Thanksgiving Bowl

Cut paper leaves and write what you are thankful for on them. Collect them in a thanksgiving centerpiece and read them together.

9. Kids Thanksgiving Crafts

Make a threaded corns necklace or bracelet.

10. Thanksgiving Name Cards

Make thanksgiving name cards with spools, candles and paper leaves. You can also use turkey cutouts to make turkey name card crafts.

11. Thanksgiving Turkey Treats

Turn a chocolate cookie into edible kids turkey craft with jellies and stick.

12. Turkey Cupcake Craft

Make or decorate festive turkey cupcakes with cookie and jellies to make turkey faces.

13. Thanksgiving Turkey Feather Hat Craft

Make a turkey feather festive hat with leaf shaped paper and frills to imitate feathers. Kids would enjoy wearing these.

14. Thanksgiving Felt Kids Turkey

Set out this styrofoam gobble wobbler as centepriece with menu card. He will be the star of your Thanksgiving decorations.

15. Edible Turkey Craft Marshmallows

A fun project to keep kids busy on Thanksgiving using edible pens to draw on marshmallows.

16. Thankful paper wreath

Write what you are thankful for on leaves to pin to a wreath form.

17. Make a Fall Crown

Crating with kids is so much fun. Make a crown for the harvest king or queen using paper and stapled leaves.

18. Pinecone Turkey Centerpiece

Turn a pinecone into turkey and use as place card.

19. Make Gumdrops Turkey Craft

Use some toothpicks to join gumdrops to make turkeys. A sure activity for the kids to stay busy making and eating. This would be a fun construction craft for kids.

20. Grateful Conversations Turkey Craft

Have a thankful time at the dinner table on thanksgiving with these conversation cards turkey feather cutouts. Search for conversation starters to get some ideas to write.

21. Gobble Gobble Turkey Countdown Craft

Give thanks hanging turkey countdown to thanksgiving made with felt. Use stick-on behind feathers to stick them as days go by.

22. Fruit Loops Turkey

Trace a turkey on paper and let kids get busy making this yummy turkey with cereal.

23. Turkey Garland Craft

Make a harvest garland for thanksgiving like this Give thanks harvest garland.

24. Felt Kids Turkey Craft

Thanksgiving turkey made with embroidery hoops and felt pieces.

25. Free Printable Thankful Tree Kids Craft

Print this thankful tree and enjoy pinning thankful leaves everyday with things you are thankful for!

Thanksgiving Classic Turkey Crafts:

These simple and easy crafts are ideal for teaching kids and toddlers at home and school using materials that are readily available:

1. Classic Handprint Turkey:

This is the ultimate Thanksgiving keepsake. Simply paint your child’s hand with brown paint, stamp it on paper, and then use different colored paints for the “feathers” made from their fingers. Add a face and legs, and you’re done!

2. Paper Plate Turkey:

A staple in preschools everywhere. Kids can paint a paper plate brown for the body and glue on feathers, either from craft stores or made from colored construction paper.

3. Pinecone Turkey:

Take a nature walk and find a sturdy pinecone. This serves as the turkey’s body. Glue on craft feathers or colorful leaves and a small head with googly eyes. It’s a fantastic way to incorporate the outdoors into your craft.

4. Toilet Paper Roll Turkey:

Recycle an empty toilet paper roll into a 3D masterpiece. Kids can paint the roll brown and then attach paper feathers, a beak, and a wattle. It’s a great project for developing fine motor skills.

5. Fork-Painted Turkey:

This unique technique is a huge hit with kids. Dip the tines of a plastic fork in different colored paints and stamp them around a brown painted circle on a paper plate or construction paper to create feathery texture.

6. “Thankful” Turkey:

This craft doubles as a gratitude exercise. Cut out a turkey body and several feather shapes. On each feather, have your child write or draw something they are thankful for. It’s a wonderful way to reflect on the meaning of the holiday.

7. Paper Bag Turkey Puppet:

Use a brown paper lunch bag as the body. Kids can decorate it with construction paper feathers and a face to create a fun puppet they can play with all day.

8. Leaf Turkey Collage:

Head outside to collect colorful fall leaves. Glue them onto a piece of paper in the shape of a fan for the turkey’s tail, then add a paper body and face.

9. Cupcake Liner Turkey:

This simple craft is perfect for toddlers. Flatten and fold colorful cupcake liners to create the turkey’s feathers. Glue them behind a small pom-pom or paper circle for the body.

10. Popsicle Stick Turkey:

A great project for older kids. Glue several popsicle sticks together to form the fan-like shape of the tail. Paint them in bright colors, then attach a smaller stick for the body with a head and facial features.

11. Pipe Cleaner Turkey

Twist colorful pipe cleaners into feather shapes and attach to a craft body.

12. Tissue Paper Feather Turkey

Crumple tissue paper squares into turkey feathers for a textured look.

More Creative Turkey Craft Ideas

Looking for something a little different? Try these other engaging projects!

13. Turkey Wreath

Arrange paper feathers in a circle and add a turkey face in the middle.

14. Recycled Spoon Turkey

Paint plastic or wooden spoons, add faces, and glue on feather cutouts.

15. Turkey Lacing Craft

Punch holes around a turkey shape and let kids lace yarn through.

16. Turkey Headband:

Create a fun accessory for Thanksgiving dinner. Use a strip of paper for the headband and attach colorful paper feathers and a turkey face.

17. Coffee Filter Turkey:

Let the magic of watercolors take over! Have kids color a white coffee filter with markers, then spray it with water to watch the colors bleed. Once dry, attach the filter to a turkey body for a beautiful, colorful tail.

18. Turkey Disguise Project:

This is a popular school activity. Print a simple turkey template and challenge your kids to disguise the turkey so it doesn’t get eaten for Thanksgiving dinner. The creativity here is endless!

19. Paper Strips Turkey:

Cut colorful paper into strips. Loop and glue the strips into circles to create the feathers, then attach them to a paper turkey body.

20. Turkey Lollipops:

A craft that turns into a sweet treat! Attach small paper or felt feathers to a lollipop stick and a head to the candy itself.

21. Tissue Paper Turkey:

Have kids tear or cut colorful tissue paper into small squares and glue them onto a turkey outline to create a mosaic-like effect.

22. Cereal Box Turkey:

A fantastic way to upcycle. Cut out a turkey shape from an old cereal box and decorate it with paint, markers, or glued-on paper.

23. Rock Painted Turkey:

Go on a rock hunt! Find a smooth rock to paint brown, then glue on feathers and a beak. These make great paperweights or decorations.

24. Play-Doh Turkey:

A sensory craft for young children. Roll a brown ball of Play-Doh for the body and stick craft feathers into it for the tail.

25. Egg Carton Turkey:

Cut out the cups from a cardboard egg carton and paint them. Glue on a head and colorful feathers for a cute, tiny turkey.

26. Pasta Turkey:

Color different pasta shapes with food coloring. Kids can then glue the colored pasta onto a turkey template to create unique patterns and textures.

27. Clothespin Turkey:

This one is both a craft and a game. Decorate a clothespin with a turkey face and use it to clip on different colored feathers. It’s a fun way to practice color recognition.

28. Paper Cone Turkey:

Roll a piece of brown construction paper into a cone shape. Glue on feathers, eyes, and a beak to create a standing, 3D turkey.

29. Pumpkin Turkey:

Use a small pumpkin or gourd as the body. Stick feathers into the top or attach them with glue. Add a face using craft foam or markers.

30. Turkey Windsock:

Use a paper towel roll as the base. Add a turkey face and attach colorful paper streamers to the bottom. Hang it up and watch it “fly” in the wind.

Common Questions About Kids Turkey Crafts

1. What materials do you need for most turkey crafts?

Basic craft supplies like construction paper, glue sticks, scissors, googly eyes, and markers are a great start. Other common materials include paper plates, toilet paper rolls, pinecones, feathers, and paint.

2. What are good turkey crafts for toddlers and preschoolers?

For this age group, focus on simple activities that involve tearing, sticking, and stamping. Handprint turkeys, paper plate turkeys, and tissue paper collages are perfect. Use washable paint and glue for easy cleanup.

3. How do you make a thankful turkey craft?

Start with any basic turkey craft. The key is to add feathers or spaces where kids can write or draw things they are grateful for. This can be a family activity where everyone contributes a feather.

4. Where can you find free printable turkey craft templates?

Many blogs, canva, and educational websites offer free printable templates. A quick search for “free printable turkey craft” will provide numerous options, from coloring pages to templates for cutting and pasting.

5. What are some turkey crafts that are not just for Thanksgiving?

Many of these crafts are great for fall or anytime you want a fun arts and crafts session. You can adapt them for a harvest theme or a lesson on farm animals.

6. How can you make turkey crafts educational?

Combine with gratitude lessons by writing thankful notes on each feather.

7. Are turkey crafts eco-friendly?

Yes, especially when you use recycled items like cardboard, pinecones, or leaves.

Engaging in these fun and easy turkey crafts is a fantastic way to bond with your children and create lasting memories this holiday season. So grab your supplies, get creative, and get ready to gobble ’til you wobble!