Thanksgiving Turkey Crafts for Kids

Turkeys are a major theme at Thanksgiving. If you like crafting with your kids, here are some Thanksgiving turkey crafts for you to try.

These Thanksgiving turkey crafts will use the same materials for the tail feathers. To make the tail feathers, cut out pointed ovals from different colors of construction paper. To see an example, see the included picture.

You can use a pear shape cut out of brown construction paper for the turkey front. This will give the appearance of the front of a turkey looking directly ahead. For a more three-dimensional look, you can use tissue paper. You can find instructions for making a turkey neck and head in this manner in my article Pine Cone and Tissue Paper Turkey Thanksgiving Craft.

The main variation in these projects is what you decide to use for the body of the turkey.

NOTE: Be sure to cover your work area before starting these projects. You can use a cheap, disposable plastic tablecloth if you like.

Difficulty: These range from easy through advanced. Smaller kids may need help with most of these, though older kids should be to complete with supervision.

Paper Plate Turkey Wreath. This is a very simple turkey craft. Cut the center out of a paper plate, leaving about two inches of the outer edge. Glue pointed ovals all around the edge, overlapping then and gluing them to the inner edge of the ring. Be sure your pear-shaped turkey front is large enough for this craft, and glue it to the center bottom of the "feather" covered ring. Decorate as you choose and don't forget the turkey's face at the top narrow part of the pear shape.

Paper Cup Turkey. Take a paper or styrofoam cup and color completely with brown marker or use brown paint. Allow to dry thoroughly. Make a half-circle about two-thirds the size of the cup. Glue pointed ovals near the rounded edge of the half-circle, being sure to overlap. Place the paper cup upside down. Place some glue in the center bottom of the half circle and press to the bottom edge of the cup. Hold and let set for a minute or so. Use a pear shape slightly taller than the cup for the front of the turkey. Decorate before attaching, then glue on the same way you did the tail piece. You may choose to use a craft glue gun for this project.

Clay Pot Turkey. You can use a small clay pot to make a turkey. Follow the instructions for the paper cup turkey above. In this case, you may use the pot right side up or upside down, depending on your preference. If you use the clay pot right side up, attach the tail piece by putting some glue at the top center of the half circle you glued the "feathers" on then press and hold to the top edge of the clay pot. Attach the turkey front by placing glue in the center of the pear shape, nearer to the top where it begins to narrow. You might want to try using a craft glue gun for this project as well.

Pine Cone Turkey. You can use the link given above for a pine cone and tissue paper turkey craft, or you can do a simpler version. Use a heavy coaster or several layers of heavy cardboard stapled together for a base. You can paint the base first if desired, but allow to dry thoroughly. Glue the wide base of the pine cone to the base with a craft glue gun. Allow to dry thoroughly. You can use whichever method given for tails and the front of the turkey, but use a craft glue gun to attach to the pine cone. Cut out some turkey feet shapes from yellow or orange construction paper and use the glue gun to attach to the base directly in front of the pine cone.

Thanksgiving Turkey Crafts for Kids. As you can see, there are a variety of ways to make Thanksgiving turkey crafts that your kids will enjoy. You could vary the objects used for the body. You could even use food items such as a potato. The versatility of these crafts allows you to use items you may already have in your home.

SOURCES:

Personal Experience

Jolynne M Hudnell; Pine Cone and Tissue Paper Turkey Thanksgiving Craft; Associated Content/Yahoo!