When you hear the words “Thanksgiving Dinner,” the first image that usually pops into your mind is a perfectly roasted bird sitting in the center of the table, surrounded by steaming sides. While the mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce play important supporting roles, the turkey is undeniably the superstar of the show.
However, the turkey shouldn’t just be the star of the kitchen—it should be the star of your craft table, too! While the adults are busy prepping the feast, keeping the little ones entertained is crucial. That is where we come in.
We have curated a massive list of 30 terrific turkey crafts for kids. These aren’t just busy work; they are opportunities to create memories, build fine motor skills, and make adorable decorations that you will want to keep for years. From recycled materials to nature-inspired art, there is something here for toddlers, pre-teens, and everyone in between.
Fun Facts About the Thanksgiving Turkey
Before we dive into the glue and glitter, share these fun tidbits with your kids to get them excited about the holiday history.
- Not the Original Star: Although 90% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving today, historians believe the very first Thanksgiving feast likely featured venison (deer), wildfowl (ducks or geese), and seafood.
- The Big Freeze: Did you know that most turkeys sold in the U.S. for the holiday are frozen? It takes days to thaw them out safely!
- Help is on the Line: Cooking a giant bird is hard work. That’s why there is a specific hotline in the U.S. called the “Turkey Talk-Line” to help nervous home chefs.
- Leftover Legacy: The concept of the “TV Dinner” was actually invented because the Swanson company over-ordered turkeys one year and had to figure out what to do with 260 tons of leftovers!
Now that you are armed with turkey trivia, let’s get crafting!
Classic Paper & Cardstock Turkey Crafts
These crafts rely on standard supplies you likely already have in your drawer: construction paper, glue, and scissors.
1. Tissue Paper Plate Turkey
This is a classic for a reason. Using a simple paper plate as the base, have your kids glue scrunched-up balls of colored tissue paper (red, orange, yellow) onto the “feathers” area. Cut a brown body from cardstock and glue it to the center. It adds a wonderful texture that flat paper just can’t beat.
2. Paper Quilling Turkey
Turkeys might not be known for their elegance, but this craft changes that. Using paper quilling strips, create loose coils in autumn colors for the tail feathers and a tight brown coil for the head. It is a fantastic way to teach older kids patience and precision.
3. Pop-Up Thanksgiving Card
If you are planning to send greetings to grandparents or friends, make it handmade. Create a simple card mechanism where a turkey “pops” out when opened. Add cute pumpkins and a “Give Thanks” sign to the background. It is a keepsake they will treasure forever.
4. Construction Paper Loop Turkey
Cut strips of colored paper and loop them, stapling the ends together to form a teardrop shape. Glue these loops onto a cardboard circle to create a 3D fan of feathers. This gives the turkey volume and looks great hanging on a door.
5. Origami Turkey
For the older kids who enjoy a challenge, try folding a turkey out of a single sheet of brown origami paper. It requires focus and following instructions, resulting in a sophisticated little decoration.
6. Handprint Turkey Art
A rite of passage for every child! Trace your child’s hand on paper. The thumb is the head, and the fingers are the feathers. Let them go wild decorating the “feathers” with glitter, markers, or paint.
7. Accordion Fold Turkey
Fold a long sheet of paper back and forth like a fan. Fold it in half to create a semi-circle fan—this is your tail! Glue a simple cardboard body to the front. These stand up well on their own and make great table centerpieces.
Recycled Material Turkeys
Save your trash and turn it into treasure! These eco-friendly crafts are perfect for teaching kids about upcycling.
8. Toilet Roll Turkey
Don’t throw away those cardboard tubes. Paint a toilet paper roll brown. Glue colorful paper feathers to the back and stick on googly eyes and an orange beak. It’s simple, quick, and free.
9. Egg Carton Turkeys
Cut out individual cups from an egg carton. Paint them brown and turn them upside down. Glue a pom-pom on top for the head and use pipe cleaners to create a fanned-out tail at the back.
10. CD Turkey
Do you have old scratched CDs lying around? The shiny surface makes a fantastic background for a turkey! Glue feathers onto the shiny side and add a felt body in the center. The reflection makes this turkey sparkle.
11. Cereal Box Stand-Up Turkey
Cut the front and back off a cereal box. Draw a turkey shape, cut it out, and paint it. Because cereal box cardboard is sturdy but thin, it’s easy for kids to cut but strong enough to stand up if you create a simple base.
12. Bottle Cap Turkey Magnets
Take a metal bottle cap and paint the inside brown. Glue small craft feathers to the rim and add tiny googly eyes inside. Glue a magnet to the back, and you have festive fridge decor!
13. Bubble Wrap Printed Turkey
This is a sensory delight. Paint a piece of bubble wrap with autumn colors and press it onto white paper to create a textured, polka-dot background. Cut out a turkey silhouette and paste it over the print.
14. Paper Cup Gobblers
Turn a brown paper cup upside down. Attach a red balloon wattle and some paper feathers. You can even attach a string to the top to turn them into wind chimes.
Nature-Inspired Turkey Crafts
Head to the backyard or a local park to gather supplies for these earthy, rustic crafts.
15. Pinecone Turkey
This is a fall staple. Find a nice, open pinecone. The scales naturally look like ruffled feathers. Glue colorful pom-poms or real feathers into the gaps and attach a felt head to the tip of the pinecone.
16. Fall Leaf Turkey
Go on a nature walk and collect the most colorful fallen leaves you can find. Arrange them in a fan shape on a piece of paper and glue a paper body on top. The natural gradient of the leaves makes for the most beautiful tail feathers.
17. Walnut Shell Turkey
Crack a walnut carefully so you have two perfect halves. Paint the shell brown. This tiny turkey is perfect for dollhouses or miniature setups. Use tiny scraps of felt for the details.
18. Painted Rock Turkeys
Find smooth, round stones. Paint the main body brown and use fine-tip brushes or paint pens to draw elaborate feather patterns on the rock. These act as great paperweights for the windy days of November.
19. Stick Turkey
Gather small twigs and glue them onto cardstock in a fan shape. It creates a rustic, “nest-like” tail for your paper turkey body.
Textile & Fabric Crafts
For those who like sewing or working with soft materials.
20. Sock Puppet Turkey
Got a lonely brown sock? Glue felt feathers along the heel and toe, add eyes, and you have a puppet ready to star in a Thanksgiving play.
21. Yarn Wrapped Turkey
Cut a turkey shape out of cardboard. Give your child brown yarn and let them wrap it around the cardboard until it is completely covered. It’s great for fine motor skills and results in a cozy, textured turkey.
22. Felt Board Turkey
Cut out a basic turkey body and separate feather shapes from various colors of felt. Glue sandpaper to the back of the pieces (or use a flannel board). Toddlers can mix and match the feathers to “dress” the turkey over and over again.
23. No-Sew Fabric Scrap Turkey
If you have scraps of fabric, let kids tie them onto a wire hanger bent into a circle. Once the circle is full of rag-ties, add a turkey face to the bottom center. It makes a shabby-chic wreath.
Functional & Edible Turkeys
Decorations are great, but crafts you can use (or eat) are even better!
24. Turkey Place Card Holders
Use a wine cork as the base. Slice a small slit in the top to hold a name card. Glue a tiny fan of paper feathers to the back of the cork and draw a face on the front. Your guests will love knowing where to sit.
25. Napkin Ring Turkey
Cut a toilet roll into 1-inch rings. Wrap them in brown felt or paper. Add a small turkey face and feathers. Slide your cloth napkins through for a fancy table setting.
26. Apple Turkey (Edible)
Take a crisp apple as the body. Stick toothpicks with marshmallows or gummy worms into the back to act as feathers. Use a grape for the head attached with another toothpick. (Supervise younger kids with the toothpicks!).
27. Oreo Turkey
Use a double-stuffed Oreo as the base. Stick candy corn into the cream filling to create a semi-circle of feathers. Use frosting to stick a malt ball or peanut butter cup on the front for a head.
Just For Fun
The final few ideas for pure entertainment.
28. Balloon Turkey
Blow up a brown balloon. Tape paper feathers to the back and draw a face on the balloon with a permanent marker. These are great for batting around the living room.
29. Turkey Headband
Cut a strip of brown paper to fit around your child’s head. Let them staple or glue tall paper feathers to the back. They can wear their creation during Thanksgiving dinner!
30. Gratitude Turkey Box
Wrap an empty tissue box in brown paper and add turkey features. Cut a slot in the top. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, have family members write what they are thankful for on slips of paper and “feed” the turkey. Read them aloud at dinner.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is about gratitude, family, and food, but it is also about creativity. These 30 terrific turkey crafts provide the perfect opportunity to slow down during a busy week and spend quality time with your children.
