Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Just say the word “Thanksgiving,” and the first image that pops into your mind is likely a beautifully roasted turkey sitting in the center of the table, surrounded by mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. But while the food is delicious, the turkey is the undeniable superstar of the holiday.
However, we all know the reality of Thanksgiving morning: Mom and Dad are busy in the kitchen, the oven is working overtime, and the house is chaotic. This is the perfect time to keep the little ones occupied, creative, and happy.
This year, ensure the kids don’t feel left out of the festivities. We have curated a massive list of terrific turkey crafts for kids that act as perfect boredom busters. From card making to clay modeling, these ideas use recycled materials, paper, and simple art supplies you likely already have at home.
Below, we dive into fun facts about the holiday, a checklist of materials, and a huge collection of craft ideas to make this Thanksgiving unforgettable.
Fun Facts About Thanksgiving Dinner to Share with Kids
Before you break out the glue sticks, gather the kids around for story time. Teaching them the history of the holiday adds educational value to their crafting time. Here are some fascinating trivia bits you can share:
- The First Thanksgiving: Surprisingly, turkey wasn’t the centerpiece of the original meal! The first Thanksgiving feast enjoyed by the Pilgrims and Native Americans likely featured venison (deer meat), wildfowl (ducks or geese), and seafood like lobster and clams.
- A Day of Fasting: Originally, Thanksgiving was observed as a day of solemn prayer and fasting, rather than the massive feasting day we know today.
- The Frozen Majority: Today, most turkeys sold in the US for the holiday are frozen.
- Turkey Tech Support: Did you know the U.S. has a specific hotline called the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line? It exists solely to help home chefs avoid turkey disasters!
- A Heavy Meal: The average American Thanksgiving meal can pack in up to 3,480 calories.
- The Invention of TV Dinners: We have Thanksgiving to thank for frozen meals! In 1953, the Swanson company had 260 tons of leftover turkey. To solve the problem, they packaged it in aluminum trays with sides, creating the first TV dinner.
The Ultimate Turkey Craft Materials Checklist
One of the best things about Thanksgiving crafts is that they are budget-friendly. You don’t need to run to an expensive art store. Most of these “terrific turkeys” rely on upcycling and recycling.
Gather these items from around the house:
- Recycled Goods: Empty toilet paper rolls, cereal boxes, egg cartons, and bottle caps.
- Paper: Construction paper (brown, orange, red, and yellow), tissue paper, and cardstock.
- Adhesives: Glue sticks, white school glue, and scotch tape.
- Tools: Child-safe scissors, markers, and crayons.
- Fun Extras: Googly eyes, feathers (artificial or paper), pipe cleaners, and felt scraps.
Section 1: Paper & Cardstock Turkey Masterpieces
Paper crafts are the easiest way to start because they leave the least mess. These are perfect for elementary-aged children who can use scissors safely.
1. The Paper Quilling Turkey
Quilling looks complex, but it is surprisingly easy for older kids. It involves rolling thin strips of paper into coils.
- How to do it: Use brown paper strips to create a large tight coil for the body and a smaller one for the head. Use loose teardrop shapes in red, orange, and yellow to create the tail feathers. It’s an elegant craft that looks great framed.
2. Pop-Up Thanksgiving Cards
If your kids want to send greetings to grandparents or friends, a pop-up card is a keepsake they will treasure forever.
- The Trick: Fold a piece of cardstock in half. Make two small parallel cuts on the folded edge and push the tab inward. When you open the card, the tab “pops” out. Glue a paper turkey drawing onto this tab. Add paper pumpkins and a “Happy Thanksgiving” sign for a 3D effect.
3. The Turkey Hug Bookmark
Encourage reading over the holiday break! Create a flat turkey body from cardstock, but cut the wings separately and glue them so they flap forward. When placed over a page, the turkey looks like it is “hugging” the book. These make adorable gifts for classmates.
4. “I Am Thankful” Turkey Fan
Fold a piece of white paper like an accordion (fan style). On each fold, have the child write one thing they are grateful for. Glue this fan to the back of a cardboard turkey body. It’s a craft that teaches gratitude and serves as a beautiful centerpiece.
Section 2: Recycled & Upcycled Turkeys
Teaching kids to recycle is important. These crafts turn “trash” into treasure.
5. Toilet Paper Roll Turkeys
The classic! Paint an empty toilet roll brown. Glue colorful construction paper “feathers” onto the back and add googly eyes and a beak to the front.
- Variation: Use real craft feathers for a fluffy texture.
6. Egg Carton Turkeys
Cut out a single cup from an egg carton. Flip it upside down—this is the turkey’s body. Paint it brown. Punch a hole in the back to stick in feathers or pipe cleaners. These are small enough to be used as game pieces!
7. Cereal Box Place Markers
Cut rectangles from an old cereal box. Cover them with white paper. Have the kids draw a turkey on one side and write a guest’s name on the other. Fold it like a tent card. It’s a great way to make guests feel special at the dinner table.
Section 3: Sensory & Clay Crafts
For kids who love to get their hands messy, clay and paint are the way to go.
8. DIY Clay Fridge Magnets
We love clay crafts because they are durable. You can use air-dry clay or polymer clay.
- Instructions: Roll a ball for the body and a smaller ball for the head. Flatten small pieces of clay to make the tail feathers. Once the clay is dry (or baked), paint it in festive colors. Glue a small magnet to the back to hold up Thanksgiving school schedules on the fridge.
9. The Classic Handprint Turkey
This is a rite of passage for every toddler!
- The Method: Paint the child’s palm brown and their fingers in different colors (red, orange, yellow, green). Press their hand onto a piece of white paper. The palm becomes the turkey body, and the fingers are the feathers. Once dry, draw on legs and a beak.
- Tip: Date these artworks! Parents love looking back to see how small their child’s hands once were.
10. Fingerprint Family Tree
Instead of a whole hand, use just fingerprints. Draw a bare turkey body. Have every family member press their thumbprint around the turkey to create the feathers. It’s a collaborative family project.
Section 4: Wearable Turkey Crafts
Why just make a turkey when you can be a turkey? These crafts are great for imaginative play and Thanksgiving skits.
11. Printable Turkey Headbands
This is excellent for the “Kids’ Table.” Cut a long strip of brown paper to fit around the child’s head. Staple or glue it to size. Have the kids cut out large paper feathers, decorate them with glitter or markers, and staple them to the back of the band.
12. Paper Plate Turkey Masks
Cut a paper plate in half. Cut out two eye holes. Paint the plate brown and glue feathers around the curved edge. Glue a popsicle stick to the bottom so the child can hold it up like a masquerade mask.
Section 5: Decor and Gifts
13. The “Gratitude” Centerpiece
This idea is not just a craft; it is a meaningful activity.
- The Build: Create a large turkey body out of a cardboard box (an empty tissue box works well). Cut out feather shapes from colored paper.
- The Activity: Leave the feathers and a marker on the table. Throughout the day, family members write what they are thankful for on a feather and stick it into the box. By dinner time, you have a turkey full of gratitude to read aloud.
14. Pinecone Turkeys
If you have pine trees nearby, go on a nature walk! Gather pinecones to use as the turkey’s body. The natural texture looks like feathers. Glue colorful pom-poms on the back for the tail and a larger pom-pom on the front for the head.
15. Button Art Turkey
Take a canvas or a stiff piece of cardboard. Sketch a turkey outline. Give the kids a jar of old buttons in fall colors (browns, oranges, reds). Have them glue the buttons inside the lines to create a mosaic turkey. This creates a lovely textural piece of art.
Tips for a Successful Crafting Session
To ensure your Thanksgiving crafting goes smoothly while the turkey roasts:
- Prep in Advance: Cut out the shapes and gather materials the night before. When the kids are ready, you won’t be scrambling for scissors.
- Cover the Table: Use old newspapers or a disposable plastic tablecloth. This makes cleanup instant—just wrap it up and throw it away.
- Let Perfection Go: The charm of kid crafts lies in the imperfections. If the eyes are crooked or the feathers are mismatched, it only adds to the cuteness.
- Safety First: If using a hot glue gun, ensure an adult is handling it. For kids, stick to glue sticks or white school glue.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is about gratitude, family, and togetherness. While the meal is the main event, the memories are made in the moments between the cooking and the eating.
These terrific turkey crafts provide a wonderful opportunity for children to express their creativity, contribute to the holiday decor, and practice gratitude. Whether you are making simple handprint art with a toddler or intricate quilling designs with a pre-teen, the time spent together is what truly matters.