Thanksgiving is one of those warm, cozy, family-centered holidays that brings everyone together. But while the grown-ups are planning the feast, setting the table, and prepping mashed potatoes or turkey in the kitchen, the little ones also need something fun and meaningful to do. And what better activity than a classic Handprint Turkey Craft—simple, adorable, and perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and early crafters?

Handprint crafts are timeless. They capture a moment in childhood, freeze a small memory, and turn it into a keepsake parents and grandparents cherish for years. This handprint turkey fits perfectly into the Thanksgiving season, offering a fun opportunity to talk to kids about gratitude, traditions, and the story behind the holiday.

Thanksgiving in 2025 falls on 23rd November, and crafting is one of the best ways to keep young children engaged while you prepare for the festivities. Whether you’re hosting a big family dinner, organizing a classroom celebration, or simply looking for a quiet afternoon activity, this craft is cute, colorful, inexpensive, and incredibly easy.

Before we begin, here are some activities that pair well with your turkey craft:

Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Kids

• Reading a picture book about pilgrims, harvest, and gratitude
  
• Creating a “Thankful Jar” to write blessings and good memories
  
• Playing Thanksgiving Bingo
  
• Trying a Thanksgiving-themed I Spy worksheet
  
• Completing a holiday activity pack
  
• Making pumpkin, corn, and turkey crafts
  

Now, let’s jump into the craft itself.

Why Handprint Crafts Are Perfect for Thanksgiving

Handprint crafts have a special charm because:

• They preserve a child’s tiny hand size as a memory
  
• They’re simple enough for toddlers to participate
  
• They help develop fine motor skills
  
• They encourage creativity and color recognition
  
• They spark conversation about seasons, traditions, and holidays
  

This handprint turkey is not just an art project—it becomes a keepsake to store in a scrapbook, hang on the wall, or give as a gift to grandparents during the holiday season.

Supplies You’ll Need

You only need basic craft supplies for this project:

• Colored craft paper (browns, yellows, reds, oranges)
  
• Markers or child-friendly colored pens
  
• Safety scissors
  
• Craft glue
  
• A printed turkey template (optional but helpful)
  

Everything on this list is commonly found at home, making this a cost-effective and accessible craft for kids of all ages.

How to Make the Handprint Turkey Craft (Step-by-Step Guide)

This version is designed to be super simple, especially helpful for toddlers or young kids who might wiggle their hands too much for tracing. You can use printed handprints or trace your child’s hands—either works beautifully.

Step 1: Print or Prepare the Template

Begin by downloading and printing a turkey template if you prefer guided shapes. The template usually includes the turkey’s:

• Body
  
• Head
  
• Eye
  
• Beak
  
• Snood (the red dangly part)
  
• Optional handprint shapes
  

If you’re working without a template, that’s perfectly fine too. You can cut out basic shapes for the bird.

Step 2: Create Your Colorful Handprints

This is the most important part!

You can either:

• Trace your child’s hand on colored paper
  
• Use the template’s handprint outlines
  

Try to make three different sizes:

• Large
  
• Medium
  
• Small
  

This adds depth and dimension to the turkey’s tail.

Encourage kids to choose bright fall colors like:

• Red
  
• Yellow
  
• Orange
  
• Brown
  
• Gold
  

Let them mix and match the colors however they like.

Step 3: Layer the Handprints to Form the Tail

Begin with the largest handprint shape.
Glue the medium-sized one on top, aligning the bottoms.
Glue the smallest handprint on top last.

Your layered handprints will now look like a beautiful fanned-out turkey tail.

This part is wonderful for toddlers because they learn sequencing and stacking while building hand strength.

Step 4: Assemble the Turkey’s Body

Cut out the body shape from brown craft paper.
Glue the head on top of the body piece.
Then add:

• A tiny beak
  
• The snood
  
• A black dot or googly eye
  

Kids can personalize the turkey with a silly face, long eyelashes, or rosy cheeks using markers.

Step 5: Attach the Body to the Tail

Glue the turkey’s assembled body onto the front of the layered handprint tail.
Press gently to secure everything in place.

This creates the full turkey shape.

Step 6: Add Outlines and Finishing Touches

Use a dark brown or black marker to outline:

• The wings
  
• The belly
  
• The tail shape
  

A thin outline brings the craft to life and gives it a clean, finished look.

Older kids may enjoy adding fun extras like:

• Patterned feathers
  
• Sparkly glitter glue
  
• A pilgrim hat
  
• Thanksgiving messages
  

What Kids Learn from This Craft

This turkey craft isn’t just fun—it supports early childhood development:

✔ Fine Motor Skills

Cutting, pasting, tracing, and holding paper builds hand coordination.

✔ Creativity

Kids choose colors, patterns, and expressions for the turkey.

✔ Sensory Awareness

Crafts build tactile understanding through different textures.

✔ Holiday Knowledge

Children learn about Thanksgiving traditions, gratitude, and family bonding.

✔ Patience & Sequencing

Layering handprints and assembling shapes teaches order and order-following.

Tips for Crafting with Toddlers & Preschoolers

• Pre-cut the pieces if your child is very young
  
• Let them choose colors freely
  
• Keep wipes nearby for gluey fingers
  
• Work on a flat surface with a craft mat
  
• Praise creativity over perfection
  

Handprint crafts are meant to be messy, memorable, and full of love!

Display Ideas for Your Handprint Turkey

Once the turkey is finished, here are fun ways to display it:

• Add it to a Thanksgiving wall display
  
• Use it as a centerpiece on the dinner table
  
• Frame it in a simple dollar-store frame
  
• Turn it into a greeting card for relatives
  
• Add it to a “Thankful For…” scrapbook page
  
• Attach a magnet to hang it on the refrigerator
  

This craft makes a heartwarming seasonal decoration you’ll adore looking at every year.

Why This Craft Makes Thanksgiving Special

Thanksgiving is all about togetherness, appreciation, and creating warm memories. Crafting with children is one of the best ways to share meaningful conversations while they work.

As your child glues the feathers or colors the turkey, you can talk about:

• What they’re thankful for
  
• Who they’re excited to see during the holiday
  
• What they love about family traditions
  
• Fun fall activities
  
• Stories of previous Thanksgivings
  

These moments become cherished memories.

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Create an adorable handprint turkey craft for kids with this easy Thanksgiving guide. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers using simple craft supplies.