Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones and celebrate the season of gratitude, and what better way to get preschoolers involved in the festivities than with preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey? These fun and easy preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey not only help children embrace the holiday spirit but also provide an excellent opportunity to develop fine motor skills, creativity, and a sense of accomplishment.
Whether you’re looking for a classroom activity or something to do at home, preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey are a perfect way to keep little hands busy. These simple and engaging preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey allow children to create adorable turkey decorations while learning about Thanksgiving traditions in a hands-on way.
In this post, we’ve put together 10 easy and fun preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey that are perfect for young crafters. From paper plate turkeys to handprint creations, these preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey are sure to be a hit with both kids and parents alike. Let’s dive in and get crafting!
Why Thanksgiving Turkey Crafts Are
Perfect for Preschoolers
Thanksgiving is a special time of the year that brings families and communities together, and for preschoolers, it’s a great opportunity to learn and create. Engaging in preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey allows young children to develop important skills while having fun with hands-on activities. Here’s why these preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey are an ideal choice for preschoolers:
Encourages Creativity and Self-Expression
Crafting gives preschoolers the freedom to explore their creativity in a fun and exciting way. When making preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey, children can choose their own colors, materials, and designs, allowing them to express their unique ideas.
These hands-on activities not only enhance their artistic skills but also provide a wonderful opportunity to engage with Thanksgiving traditions in a meaningful and enjoyable manner.
- They can experiment with different shapes, textures, and decorations to create their own version of a turkey.
- Using various art supplies like feathers, googly eyes, and pom-poms helps spark imaginative thinking.
- There’s no “right” or “wrong” way to create a turkey, so kids feel free to explore and personalize their artwork.
This kind of open-ended crafting boosts confidence and encourages kids to embrace their artistic side, making the holiday even more special.
Helps Develop Fine Motor Skills Through
Cutting, Gluing, and Coloring
Fine motor skills are essential for young children as they prepare for activities like writing, tying shoes, and buttoning clothes. Thanksgiving turkey crafts offer a fantastic way to strengthen hand-eye coordination and improve small muscle movements.
- Cutting paper shapes for feathers or turkey bodies helps with hand control and dexterity.
- Gluing small decorations like feathers, wiggly eyes, or beads enhances grasping and pinching skills.
- Coloring and painting require steady hand movements, improving coordination and focus.
By practicing these skills through fun holiday-themed crafts, preschoolers build strength in their hands and fingers, which benefits their overall development.
Introduces Children to Thanksgiving
Traditions in an Interactive Way
For young children, Thanksgiving may just seem like a time for big family meals, but engaging in turkey crafts can help them understand the meaning behind the holiday in a hands-on way.
- As they create their turkeys, parents or teachers can share the story of Thanksgiving and its traditions.
- Crafts allow kids to connect with the symbolism of the turkey, which represents gratitude and the festive spirit.
- Activities like making thankful turkeys—where kids write or draw things they are grateful for—help them learn about the importance of gratitude.
This interactive approach makes learning fun and memorable, ensuring that children connect with the holiday in a meaningful way.
Provides a Fun Activity for Classrooms, Home, or Daycare
Thanksgiving turkey crafts are perfect for any setting—whether at home, in a preschool classroom, or at daycare. They are easy to set up, require minimal supplies, and can be adapted to suit different group sizes.
- In classrooms, teachers can use turkey crafts as a group activity, encouraging teamwork and social interaction.
- At home, parents can enjoy bonding time with their kids while making simple DIY turkeys.
- In daycare centers, caregivers can organize seasonal craft stations where children rotate between different turkey-themed activities.
Since these crafts are engaging and accessible, they help keep preschoolers entertained and focused while fostering creativity, learning, and fun.
Essential Craft Supplies for Making
Thanksgiving Turkey Crafts
Before diving into fun and festive Thanksgiving turkey crafts, it’s important to gather the right materials. Preschool-friendly crafts should be simple, safe, and engaging, which means using easy-to-handle supplies that encourage creativity without being too complicated. Here are some must-have crafting supplies to make adorable turkey crafts for Thanksgiving:
Paper-Based Materials – Construction
Paper, Tissue Paper, and Cardstock
“Paper is one of the most versatile materials for crafting and is a staple for many preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey. Different types of paper serve different purposes in creating colorful and sturdy turkeys:”
- Construction Paper – Great for cutting out turkey bodies, feathers, beaks, and other features. It comes in bright colors, making it a fun and engaging choice for kids.
- Tissue Paper – Perfect for adding soft, textured feathers or for making a stained-glass-style turkey. Crumpling and gluing tissue paper helps develop fine motor skills.
- Cardstock – A thicker, sturdier paper that works well for crafts that need durability, like turkey headbands or standing turkey decorations.
Using a mix of these paper types in preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey allows kids to explore textures and layering techniques. This not only makes their crafts more visually appealing but also adds an extra layer of fun and creativity to the crafting experience.
Decoration Supplies – Googly Eyes, Feathers, Pom-Poms, Pipe Cleaners
Adding decorative elements makes preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey even more engaging and visually exciting for preschoolers. These supplies bring the turkeys to life with unique textures, vibrant colors, and fun details, helping to spark creativity and make the crafting process more enjoyable:
- Googly Eyes – A simple yet essential item for making turkey faces more expressive and playful.
- Feathers – Real or artificial feathers add a soft, realistic touch to turkey crafts, making them more visually appealing.
- Pom-Poms – Small, fuzzy pom-poms can be used for turkey heads, noses, or added texture on the body.
- Pipe Cleaners – Great for making turkey legs, feet, or even curly feather designs. They are easy for small hands to bend and shape.
These colorful and sensory-friendly materials help preschoolers enjoy the crafting process while improving their hand-eye coordination and creativity.
Crafting Tools – Safety Scissors, Glue Sticks, Markers, Crayons
To make the crafting experience smooth and safe, using age-appropriate tools is essential—especially for preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey. These basic supplies help preschoolers cut, color, and assemble their turkey-themed creations with ease, boosting their confidence and fine motor skills:
- Safety Scissors – Specially designed for little hands, these scissors help kids practice cutting paper and developing fine motor skills.
- Glue Sticks – Less messy than liquid glue, glue sticks allow kids to easily attach paper, feathers, and decorations without frustration.
- Markers & Crayons – Used for adding details like eyes, beaks, and personalized decorations on turkeys. Crayons work well for coloring large areas, while markers provide bold outlines and finer details.
Having child-friendly crafting tools is essential when working on preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey. These tools allow preschoolers to participate more independently, making the experience both fun and mess-free while building confidence and coordination.
Recycled Items – Toilet Paper Rolls, Paper Plates, Pinecones, Cupcake Liners
One of the best things about preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey is that many of these projects can be made using everyday household items. From paper plates to recycled cardboard, these simple materials turn into fun turkey-themed creations.
Upcycling encourages eco-friendly crafting and makes preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey even more accessible for families, teachers, and caregivers.
- Toilet Paper Rolls – A great base for creating 3D standing turkeys with paper feather decorations.
- Paper Plates – Serve as an easy canvas for crafting flat or pop-up turkey designs with paint and cut-out pieces.
- Pinecones – Nature’s perfect craft supply! Pinecones make a wonderful turkey body, and kids can glue feathers or leaves onto them to mimic real turkey plumage.
- Cupcake Liners – Their rounded, accordion-folded shape makes them perfect for layered turkey feathers or a unique turkey body design.
10 Easy & Fun Preschool Crafts for Thanksgiving Turkey
Thanksgiving is the perfect time for little ones to get creative with preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey. These fun and easy turkey-themed crafts allow kids to express their creativity, develop fine motor skills, and learn about the meaning behind Thanksgiving traditions.
Whether at home, in the classroom, or in daycare, preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey offer an engaging and hands-on way to celebrate the holiday together.
Here are 10 simple and exciting turkey crafts that preschoolers will love:
1. Handprint Turkey – A Classic Keepsake
Why It’s Fun: This craft captures a child’s tiny handprint, making it a special keepsake for parents and a fun way to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Materials Needed:
- Washable paint or colored paper
- Paintbrush (if using paint)
- Googly eyes
- Glue and scissors
- Construction paper for the background
How to Make It:
- If using paint, paint the child’s palm brown and each finger a different fall color (red, orange, yellow).
- Press the hand onto paper to create the turkey’s body and feathers.
- Once dry, add eyes, a beak, and a wattle to the thumb (which acts as the turkey’s head).
- Write the child’s name and year for a personalized keepsake.
Learning Benefits: Enhances fine motor skills, sensory play, and creativity.
2. Paper Plate Turkey – Mess-Free & Fun
Why It’s Fun: A simple craft that lets kids work with basic supplies while creating a cute Thanksgiving turkey.
Materials Needed:
- Paper plate
- Colored construction paper (for feathers, beak, and wattle)
- Glue, markers, and googly eyes
How to Make It:
- Paint or color the paper plate brown for the turkey’s body.
- Cut and glue paper feathers around the plate.
- Attach googly eyes, a paper beak, and a wattle to the front.
Learning Benefits: Encourages scissor skills, color recognition, and creativity.
3. Pinecone Turkey – A Nature-Inspired Craft
Why It’s Fun: Uses real pinecones to create adorable turkeys, making it a sensory-rich activity.
Materials Needed:
- Pinecones
- Colorful craft feathers
- Googly eyes, glue, and a small pom-pom
- Paper or felt for the beak and wattle
How to Make It:
- Glue feathers to the back of the pinecone to create a turkey tail.
- Attach googly eyes and a pom-pom head to the front.
- Cut and glue on a paper or felt beak and wattle.
Learning Benefits: Develops fine motor skills, sensory exploration, and eco-friendly crafting.
4. Cupcake Liner Turkey – Colorful & Layered Feathers
Why It’s Fun: Cupcake liners create a 3D effect, making this turkey craft visually appealing.
Materials Needed:
- Cupcake liners in various colors
- Construction paper
- Glue, googly eyes, and scissors
How to Make It:
- Flatten cupcake liners and arrange them in layers for feathers.
- Cut and attach a paper turkey body on top.
- Add eyes, a beak, and a wattle.
Learning Benefits: Teaches layering and color coordination.
5. Toilet Paper Roll Turkey – A Fun Recycled Craft
Why It’s Fun: This eco-friendly craft repurposes cardboard rolls into cute turkeys.
Materials Needed:
- Toilet paper rolls
- Colored construction paper
- Googly eyes, glue, and feathers
How to Make It:
- Cover the toilet paper roll with brown paper or paint it.
- Glue on paper feathers or real craft feathers.
- Add a paper face, beak, and wattle.
Learning Benefits: Encourages problem-solving, sustainability, and creativity.
6. Fork-Painted Turkey – A Unique Textured Painting
Why It’s Fun: This craft introduces kids to new painting techniques for a textured look.
Materials Needed:
- Plastic forks
- Paint in fall colors
- Construction paper
How to Make It:
- Dip a fork into paint and stamp onto paper for feathers.
- Add a paper turkey face in the center.
- Complete with googly eyes, a beak, and a wattle.
Learning Benefits: Encourages sensory play and fine motor control.
7. Leaf Turkey Craft – A Natural Fall-Themed Project
Why It’s Fun: Uses real fall leaves to create a unique turkey.
Materials Needed:
- Fall leaves in different colors
- Paper turkey body
- Glue, scissors, and markers
How to Make It:
- Arrange leaves like turkey feathers and glue onto paper.
- Cut and attach a turkey face with eyes, a beak, and a wattle.
Learning Benefits: Encourages nature exploration and creativity.
8. Pom-Pom Turkey – Soft & Fluffy
Why It’s Fun: A cute and fuzzy turkey made from colorful pom-poms.
Materials Needed:
- Pom-poms in different sizes
- Googly eyes, glue, and pipe cleaners
How to Make It:
- Glue a large pom-pom for the body and a smaller one for the head.
- Add googly eyes, a beak, and a wattle.
- Attach pipe cleaner feet or feathers.
Learning Benefits: Helps strengthen fine motor skills and tactile learning.
9. Turkey Headband – A Wearable Thanksgiving Craft
Why It’s Fun: Kids can wear their turkey creation, making it a great craft for Thanksgiving parties.
Materials Needed:
- Construction paper
- Scissors, glue, and markers
How to Make It:
- Cut a strip of paper for the headband.
- Create and attach paper feathers and a turkey face.
- Wrap around and secure to fit the child’s head.
Learning Benefits: Encourages imaginative play and social engagement.
10. Sponge-Painted Turkey – Stamping Fun!
Why It’s Fun: Uses sponges to create a fun, textured turkey design.
Materials Needed:
- Sponges cut into shapes
- Paint in warm fall colors
- Construction paper
How to Make It:
- Dip a sponge into paint and stamp onto paper to make feathers.
- Cut and attach a paper turkey body on top.
- Add eyes, a beak, and a wattle.
Learning Benefits: Enhances sensory play and creativity.
Helpful Tips for Crafting with Preschoolers
Crafting with preschoolers is a wonderful way to encourage creativity, improve motor skills, and make lasting holiday memories. Preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey are especially fun, offering a playful way to celebrate the season while helping little ones learn and grow.
However, working with young children requires patience, planning, and the right approach to ensure a safe, engaging, and enjoyable crafting experience. Below are some essential tips to help make your preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey fun and stress-free for both children and adults.
1. Use Safe, Non-Toxic Materials
Why It’s Important: Preschoolers love to explore with their hands, which often leads to messes—and sometimes, curious little mouths. When planning preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey, it’s crucial to ensure that all materials are non-toxic, age-appropriate, and safe.
This not only prevents health risks but also keeps the activity worry-free and enjoyable. Safe supplies make it easier for everyone to focus on the fun and creativity that preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey are all about.
Best Practices:
- Always choose non-toxic glue, paint, and markers labeled as child-safe or washable.
- Opt for rounded safety scissors instead of sharp ones.
- Avoid small decorations like tiny beads or buttons that could be choking hazards.
- Use hypoallergenic materials if any child has sensitive skin.
- Keep wet wipes or a damp cloth nearby for easy cleanup.
Example: When making a handprint turkey craft, use washable, non-toxic paint to ensure safe and easy cleanup.
2. Encourage Creativity
Why It’s Important: While structured crafts are great, allowing preschoolers to express themselves freely fosters independence and confidence.
Best Practices:
- Let children choose their own colors for the turkey’s feathers, even if it’s not traditional fall colors.
- Provide various textures and materials like tissue paper, felt, or cotton balls for different sensory experiences.
- Encourage storytelling by asking kids to name their turkey and make up a short story about it.
- Praise effort over perfection—there’s no wrong way to craft!
Example: A preschooler might decide to give their turkey blue feathers instead of red and orange, which is a great way for them to exercise creativity and decision-making.
3. Keep It Simple
Why It’s Important: Preschoolers have short attention spans, so crafts should be quick, simple, and easy to follow.
Best Practices:
- Use minimal steps—crafts with 3 to 5 easy steps work best.
- Prepare materials ahead of time by pre-cutting paper shapes or setting up workstations.
- Avoid projects that require long drying times, as young kids may not have the patience to wait.
- Offer stickers or pre-made decorations as an alternative to complex designs.
Example: Instead of creating an intricate paper turkey with many glued parts, a paper plate turkey with pre-cut feathers and simple glue-on features is a much better option for preschoolers.
4. Make It Fun
Why It’s Important: Crafting should be more than just an activity—it should be a fun and memorable experience. By adding elements of music, storytelling, or movement, children stay engaged longer.
Best Practices:
- Play Thanksgiving songs while crafting to create a cheerful atmosphere.
- Turn crafting into a storytelling session, asking kids to imagine where their turkey lives and what it likes to eat.
- Make the activity interactive—ask questions like “What do you think this turkey’s favorite food is?”
- Praise and celebrate each child’s work by having a mini “art gallery” to showcase their crafts.
Example: While making a Turkey Headband, encourage kids to act like a turkey by making gobbling sounds or waddling around once they wear their craft.
More Thanksgiving Fun: Activities Beyond Crafts
Thanksgiving is not only about crafting but also about creating joyful memories through engaging activities. While making preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey is a fantastic way for preschoolers to express creativity and develop fine motor skills, adding other Thanksgiving-related activities can enhance the holiday experience.
These additional activities promote learning, encourage gratitude, and keep little ones entertained in a fun and meaningful way.
Here are some exciting Thanksgiving activities beyond crafts that will keep preschoolers engaged and excited about the holiday!
1. Thanksgiving Story Time 📖
Why It’s Fun:
Reading Thanksgiving-themed books introduces young children to the history and meaning of Thanksgiving in a simple, engaging way. Stories can also spark imagination and provide teachable moments about thankfulness, kindness, and sharing, which can complement preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey.
How to Do It:
- Choose age-appropriate Thanksgiving books with colorful illustrations.
- Ask questions while reading to keep kids engaged (“What do you think happens next?”).
- Let children act out parts of the story or make turkey sounds for interactive fun.
- Encourage them to draw their favorite part of the story after reading.
Recommended Books:
📘 Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano – A funny tale about a turkey trying to disguise himself.
📗 Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland – Teaches kids about gratitude.
📙 Run, Turkey, Run! by Diane Mayr – A fun, silly Thanksgiving story with a playful turkey.
2. Turkey-Themed Songs and Rhymes 🎶
Why It’s Fun:
Music is a great way to engage preschoolers, improve memory skills, and make learning more interactive. Thanksgiving songs with hand motions or dance moves add extra excitement and movement, making them a fun addition to preschool crafts for Thanksgiving turkey.
How to Do It:
- Sing classic turkey songs with fun hand gestures (like flapping wings or gobbling).
- Use simple instruments like tambourines or maracas for added rhythm.
- Turn it into a freeze dance game—when the music stops, kids must freeze like a turkey!
Popular Thanksgiving Songs for Preschoolers:
🎵 “I’m a Little Turkey” (Tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”)
🎵 “Five Fat Turkeys” – A fun counting song.
🎵 “Gobble, Gobble, Gobble” – A silly song that encourages kids to act like turkeys.
3. Pin the Feather on the Turkey 🎯
Why It’s Fun:
This classic game is a Thanksgiving twist on Pin the Tail on the Donkey. It’s an exciting, interactive activity that promotes hand-eye coordination and social play among preschoolers.
How to Play:
- Create a large paper turkey and attach it to a wall.
- Cut out colorful paper feathers and add double-sided tape on the back.
- Blindfold each child, spin them around lightly, and let them try to place the feather on the turkey.
- The child who gets the feather closest to the right spot wins!
- To make it extra fun, encourage kids to gobble like a turkey before placing their feather!
Pro Tip: Use Velcro dots instead of tape for a reusable game that can be played multiple times.
4. Gratitude Tree 🍂
Why It’s Fun:
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on gratitude, and this activity helps preschoolers learn the importance of being thankful in a hands-on way. It also makes for a beautiful classroom or home decoration.
How to Create a Gratitude Tree:
- Make a tree trunk – Use brown construction paper or draw one on a poster board.
- Cut out paper leaves in fall colors (red, yellow, orange, green).
- Ask children what they are thankful for and write their answers on the leaves.
- Let kids glue or tape their leaves onto the tree branches.
- Display the tree in the classroom, on a wall, or on the refrigerator.
Alternative Idea: Instead of paper, use real fall leaves and attach them with string to a branch in a vase for a more natural look.
