Thanksgiving is on its way, and there’s no better way to get into the spirit than with some hands-on turkey crafts for the kids! Turkey crafts are adorable and engaging—they offer a fun way to celebrate gratitude, creativity, and family time. Plus, they’re perfect for keeping kids entertained while you’re busy with holiday preparations.
From simple paper projects to more imaginative creations, these turkey crafts will make Thanksgiving memorable and fun for the entire family. Designed for kids of all ages, each of these projects is easy to make and provides a colorful addition to your Thanksgiving decor. So, let’s dive into these 21 festive and fun turkey crafts that everyone will enjoy!
1. Paper Plate Turkey
Paper plates make the perfect canvas for a turkey, offering a large, round surface for creativity. This craft is simple enough for young children to enjoy and only requires a few materials like googly eyes, glue, and colorful paper. Kids will love decorating each plate with paper feathers to make their own unique turkey creations.
To start, let kids cut out feather shapes from colored construction paper. Then, they can glue the feathers around the plate’s edges to create a beautiful fan effect. Finally, help them add the turkey’s eyes, beak, and other details to complete this festive craft.
2. Handprint Turkey Art
Handprint turkeys are a Thanksgiving classic that doubles as a charming keepsake. Kids can trace their hands to form the turkey’s feathers and color each finger in bright shades to bring the design to life. This craft allows them to personalize their turkey and makes for a memorable family keepsake.
Once they’ve traced their hand, kids can use markers or paint to color the “feathers” in different hues. Adding small details like a googly eye, beak, and feet brings their handprint turkey to life. Parents can keep these handprint turkeys as special reminders of their little artists each Thanksgiving.
3. Pinecone Turkeys
Using natural materials like pinecones for turkey crafts brings a touch of the outdoors into your home. After gathering pinecones, kids can decorate them with colorful paper or felt feathers for an authentic turkey look. The pinecone shape provides a sturdy base and a realistic texture, making these turkeys unique and eye-catching.
Kids can add small details like googly eyes and a beak to complete their pinecone turkeys. This craft is perfect for children who love exploring nature, as they can gather their pinecones from the backyard or a nearby park. Finished pinecone turkeys can be placed around the house as festive decor.
4. Pom-Pom Turkeys
Soft and fluffy, pom-pom turkeys are a cute and cuddly Thanksgiving craft. Children can create these adorable turkeys by gluing together a few pom-poms in different sizes. Adding small felt feathers, googly eyes, and a beak transforms these pom-poms into lovable Thanksgiving characters.
Once the turkey’s body is assembled, kids can use glue to attach felt feathers around the back of the largest pom-pom. These little turkeys are perfect as finger puppets or even as ornaments for the holiday table. With their bright colors and soft texture, pom-pom turkeys are bound to be a crafting favorite.
5. Coffee Filter Turkey
Coffee filters make beautiful, colorful turkey feathers, especially when painted with watercolors. Kids can paint coffee filters in vibrant shades, and after they dry, they can assemble them behind a round paper face to create their turkey. The blending colors add a unique and visually appealing twist to the traditional turkey design.
After painting, fold the coffee filters and glue them behind the turkey’s face to resemble a fanned-out tail. Kids can draw or add details to complete their turkey’s expression, giving it character. This craft is perfect for adding a splash of color to your Thanksgiving decor.
6. Toilet Paper Roll Turkey
Recycling toilet paper rolls into turkeys is an eco-friendly and creative way to celebrate Thanksgiving. Kids can paint the rolls in various colors and add paper feathers and facial details for a fun, upcycled turkey craft. These little turkeys can stand on their own, making them great for display.
After painting, kids can cut out paper feathers to glue around the roll. Adding googly eyes, a beak, and a colorful wattle completes the turkey’s face. This craft is easy for younger kids and can be used as a Thanksgiving table centerpiece.
7. Felt Turkey Puppets
Felt turkey puppets offer a hands-on way for kids to play and interact with their craft. Kids can cut and assemble felt pieces in turkey colors, making a fun puppet that’s soft and easy to handle. These felt turkeys are ideal for storytelling and imaginative play.
Once assembled, kids can use the puppet for little Thanksgiving skits or as decorations. Adding googly eyes, a beak, and feathers gives their felt turkey a personal touch. These puppets can be treasured long after Thanksgiving as a special keepsake.
8. Leaf Turkeys
Gathering colorful fall leaves for a leaf turkey craft brings a little of the autumn outdoors inside. Kids can use the leaves they collect to make feathers, arranging them in a fan shape around a turkey face. This craft is a wonderful way to connect with nature while creating a beautiful Thanksgiving decoration.
After arranging the leaves, kids can add a paper face to complete the turkey. This craft is not only fun but also results in a beautiful, rustic decoration that looks great on display. Kids love using leaves because each one is unique, adding charm to their creation.
9. Clothespin Turkeys
Clothespin turkeys are small and functional, making them perfect for clipping name cards or Thanksgiving notes. Children can paint the clothespins and decorate them with paper feathers and small faces. These turkeys are a creative way to add a personal touch to your Thanksgiving table.
Once finished, these clothespins can clip onto napkins or even hold place cards for a festive touch. Kids enjoy making these turkeys because they’re quick to craft and useful as decorations. Plus, they add a hint of whimsy to any holiday setup.
10. Cupcake Liner Turkey
Cupcake liners are great for crafting, as they create the perfect feather shape for turkey crafts. Flattened cupcake liners form a lovely fan when glued behind a round turkey face, making a cute and festive decoration. Kids can get creative by using cupcake liners with different colors or patterns.
Once they’ve arranged the feathers, kids can add a face to complete their turkey. Cupcake liner turkeys are fun to make and look charming on the Thanksgiving table. They’re also perfect for decorating kids’ areas or playrooms during the holiday.
11. Spoon Turkey
Wooden spoons make a unique base for turkey crafts, turning them into an interactive and festive decoration. Kids can paint a wooden spoon to form the turkey’s body and then add feathers to the handle for a playful touch. These spoon turkeys are great for Thanksgiving play or table decor.
After painting the spoon, kids can attach feathers and create a face on the spoon’s bowl. This craft is simple yet creative, allowing kids to make their own turkey friend. Spoon turkeys can be used as kitchen decor or as part of a holiday table centerpiece.
12. Painted Rock Turkeys
Painting rocks into turkeys is a great way to get kids outdoors and crafting at the same time. Smooth rocks make the ideal canvas for turkeys, and children can paint them with brown bodies and colorful feathers. This project is fun for kids who enjoy exploring and collecting materials from nature.
After finding their rocks, kids can use paint to bring their turkey to life. Adding a beak, eyes, and feathers completes the design, making these turkeys perfect for indoor or outdoor decor. Painted rock turkeys are a festive addition to any Thanksgiving setup.
13. Sock Turkeys
Turn old socks into turkey plushies for a cozy and cuddly Thanksgiving craft. Kids can fill the sock with stuffing, add a face, and attach colorful felt feathers for an adorable turkey friend. These sock turkeys make fun toys or decorations that are soft and squeezable.
Once stuffed, kids can sew or glue on the details to create their turkey’s face and feathers. These little turkeys can sit on tables or act as Thanksgiving decor around the house. Sock turkeys are sure to be a crafting favorite due to their soft and playful nature.
14. Finger Puppet Turkeys
Finger puppets are a classic craft that kids can use for storytelling and play. Turkey finger puppets are easy to make and give children a fun way to act out Thanksgiving stories. These mini turkeys are ideal for younger children who enjoy pretend play.
Kids can cut out felt pieces and glue them together to make a finger-sized turkey. After adding small details like a beak and eyes, the turkey is ready for action. These puppets provide hours of Thanksgiving-themed fun and creativity.
15. Egg Carton Turkey
Egg cartons offer a fantastic way to repurpose materials and make adorable mini turkeys. Kids can paint each cup and add feathers to create individual turkey faces. This eco-friendly craft is perfect for making tiny turkeys that are cute and compact.
Once painted, each egg carton section can be decorated with eyes and a beak to create a unique turkey face. These little turkeys are great for decorating the table or as fun party favors for Thanksgiving guests. Egg carton turkeys are a simple yet creative craft for all ages.
16. Thanksgiving Garland of Turkeys
A turkey garland can add a festive touch to any space, making it an ideal group craft for classrooms or family gatherings. Kids can cut out paper turkeys, decorate each one, and string them along to create a colorful banner. This garland adds a fun Thanksgiving element to doorways or mantels.
Each paper turkey can be personalized with unique feathers and facial expressions. Once the turkeys are strung together, the garland becomes a beautiful holiday decoration. This project is perfect for creating a collaborative Thanksgiving craft that everyone can enjoy.
17. Recycled Jar Turkeys
Old jars can be transformed into Thanksgiving decorations with a little paint and creativity. Kids can decorate the jars with turkey faces and use them to hold candy or notes of gratitude. These recycled jar turkeys make for fun and functional decor pieces.
Painting the jar and adding paper feathers creates a vibrant and festive turkey. Kids can also add labels or tags to each jar, creating a place for family members to leave notes of gratitude. This craft combines creativity with Thanksgiving tradition.
18. Bottle Cap Turkeys
Bottle caps may be small, but they make delightful mini turkeys. Kids can glue colorful feathers and small faces onto each cap, creating tiny turkey decorations. These mini turkeys are perfect as magnets or small keepsakes for Thanksgiving.
Each bottle cap can be transformed with bright feathers and a cheerful face. Kids enjoy making these turkeys because they’re simple yet adorable. Bottle cap turkeys are a creative way to recycle materials and add a festive touch to any space.
19. Beaded Turkey Keychains
For kids who enjoy beading, making turkey keychains is a fun and portable Thanksgiving craft. Using brown, yellow, and orange beads, they can create turkey shapes that can be attached to bags or keys. These keychains are a great way to carry a little Thanksgiving spirit wherever they go.
After stringing the beads, kids can add small details to complete their turkey. These keychains are fun to make and can be kept as a Thanksgiving souvenir. Beaded turkey keychains add a colorful and personal touch to any accessory.
20. Thanksgiving Turkey Hats
Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without a turkey hat! Kids can make their own wearable turkey hats with a few simple materials. Using construction paper and markers, they can design their hats to wear for Thanksgiving festivities.
Once the hat band is cut to size, kids can add a turkey face and feathers. These hats are perfect for family gatherings, adding a playful element to Thanksgiving celebrations. Turkey hats make for memorable photo opportunities and lots of laughs.
21. Popsicle Stick Turkeys
Popsicle sticks make an ideal base for simple turkey crafts, allowing kids to create a sturdy and decorative turkey. They can arrange the sticks to form the body, then add paper feathers and a face to complete the look. These turkeys make great Thanksgiving decorations.
Each popsicle stick can be painted and arranged to create a fanned-out turkey shape. Once decorated, the popsicle stick turkey can be displayed as part of the Thanksgiving setup. This craft is simple yet creative, and it’s perfect for kids who love hands-on activities.
Wrapping It Up with Thanksgiving Fun
These 21 turkey crafts bring color, creativity, and endless fun to Thanksgiving celebrations. They’re an excellent way for kids to practice fine motor skills, unleash their creativity, and make lasting Thanksgiving memories. Whether decorating the house, making gifts, or just having fun, these crafts are sure to be a hit!