The Ultimate Guide of Turkey Crafts for Thanksgiving

In this BLOG post I will show you twelve different ways to craft a turkey! Perfect for home, school or the kids table on Thanksgiving Day!

What Thanksgiving is complete with a cute turkey craft?!

Whether you are looking for something simple, quick or mess-free, we have a little something for everyone.

Don't forget to download the FREE printables to help get your crafting off to a stress-free start!

Tag us @aplayfilledlife on Instagram or Facebook if you try them, we love to see your creativity shine!

Leaf Stamped Turkey

Materials:

• A few leaves from outdoors

• Turkey template (FREE download HERE)

• Construction paper

• Paintbrush

• Watercolor paints (Our favorite is linked HERE)

• Tape or glue stick

Step 1: Download and print the turkey template OR draw/create your own.

Step 2: Walk outdoors and collect a few leaves that have fallen to the ground.

Step 3: Use your paintbrush to paint the watercolors onto the leaf. Cover the entire leaf but a thin layer of paint works best. You may want to put a piece of paper or a tray underneath to keep your surface clean!

Step 4: Turn the leaf over and gently rub it on the construction paper. Peel the leaf off and reveal the beautiful print! Continue on, making more turkey feathers.

Step 5: Once all of your feathers are stamped, add the turkey body on top. Tape or glue down.

Coffee Filter Turkey

Materials:

• Turkey template (FREE download HERE)

• Coffee filter

• Washable markers

• Paintbrush

• Water

• Construction paper

• Tape or glue stick

Step 1: Download and print the turkey template OR draw/create your own.

Step 2: Use the washable markers to color the coffee filter- it can be a design, it can be one color, multiple colors or just a bunch of scribbles!

Step 3: Dip a paintbrush in water and paint the coffee filter. This is going to saturate the coffee filter and blend the colors together. You will want to do this on top of a piece of paper or a tray to avoid the colors bleeding on to your surface.

Step 4: Let the coffee filter dry completely.

Step 5: Fold the coffee filter in half. You can use one filter or layer them for a thicker look. Tape or glue the turkey on top of it.

Pom Pom Painting

Materials:

• Turkey template (FREE download HERE)

• Paper plate

• Clothespin

• Craft Pom Pom (Linked HERE)

• Washable Paint

• Tape or glue stick

Step 1: Download and print the turkey template OR draw/create your own.

Step 2: Squirt the washable paint onto another plate or sensory tray.

Step 3: Squeeze open the clothespin and push the Pom Pom into the opening. Dip the Pom Pom into the paint and stamp all around the paper plate.

Step 4: Let the plate dry.

Step 5: Glue or tape the turkey onto the plate.

Squish Painting

Materials:

• Turkey template (FREE download HERE)

• Washable paint

• Construction paper

• Tape or glue stick

Step 1: Download and print the turkey template OR draw/create your own.

Step 2: Fold your piece of construction paper in half, then open it back up.

Step 3: Squirt a few drops or paint on to the right side of the paper. You can also use the clothespin/Pom Pom and dot the paint on.

Step 4:Fold the paper in half again and smoosh it together with your hands. Slowly open it back up!

Step 5: Let the paint dry. Tape or glue the turkey on top.

Bubble Wrap Painting

Materials:

• Turkey template (FREE download HERE)

• Bubble wrap

• Scissors

• Washable paint

• Paintbrush

• Construction paper

• Tape or glue stick

Step 1: Download and print the turkey template OR draw/create your own.

Step 2: Use the scissors to cut a feather shape out of the bubble wrap.

Step 3: Squirt out some paint onto a plate or tray. Dip the paintbrush in and paint the bumpy side of the bubble wrap.

Step 4: Flip the bubble wrap over onto the construction paper. Gently smooth the back of the bubble wrap down into the paper. Slowly peel it up and reveal the feather! Continue on for more feathers. You can make new bubble wrap feathers or just paint right on top each time!

Step 5: Wait for the paint to dry. Tape or glue the turkey down.

Blow Painting

Materials:

• Turkey template (FREE download HERE)

• Construction paper

• Straw

• Washable paint

• Water

• Tape or glue stick

Step 1: Download and print the turkey template OR draw/create your own.

Step 2: Mix a small amount of paint with a few drops of water. This makes the paint 'runny.'

Step 3: Drop the paint onto the construction paper. Use the straw to blow the paint down the paper!

Step 4: Continue this process for each feather. You can add more water if the paint is still too thick.

Step 5: Wait for the paint to dry. Tape or glue the turkey down.

Paper Towel Stamping

Materials:

• Turkey template (FREE download HERE)

• Paper towel roll

• Scissors

• Washable paint

• Construction paper

• Tape or glue stick

Step 1: Download and print the turkey template OR draw/create your own.

Step 2: Use the scissors to cut the paper towel roll into 3 pieces.

Step 3: Squirt out some paint onto a plate or tray. Dip the paper towel roll into the paint and swirl it around to coat the edge.

Step 4: Stamp the paper towel roll onto the paper to create feathers! Continue on for the remaining feathers.

Step 5: Wait for the paint to dry. Tape or glue the turkey down.

Tissue Paper Turkey

Materials:

• Turkey template (FREE download HERE)

• Tissue paper in assorted colors

• Liquid glue

• Paintbrush

• Construction paper

• Tape or glue stick

Step 1: Download and print the turkey template OR draw/create your own.

Step 2: Use the paintbrush to paint the glue onto the construction paper. I do this one 'feather' at a time.

Step 3: Tear the tissue paper into small pieces (this is great fine motor work for the kids!) and crumble it up into a ball. Smoosh it into the glue- continue on until the feather is full.

Step 4: Continue this process until all of the feathers are complete.

Step 5: Wait for the paint to dry. Tape or glue the turkey down.

Salt Painting

Materials:

• Turkey template (FREE download HERE)

• Liquid glue

• Salt

• Watercolor paints

• Paintbrush

• Construction paper

• Tape or glue stick

Step 1: Download and print the turkey template OR draw/create your own.

Step 2: Use the glue to trace the outline of the feathers. You want this to be a thick layer of glue.

Step 3: Sprinkle salt along the lines and then shake the paper to be sure to coat all of the glue.

Step 4: Dip the paintbrush in your watercolor paint set and dot it on the glue/salt lines. The color will spread and fill the turkey feathers!

Step 5: Wait for the paint to dry. Tape or glue the turkey down.

Sticky Feathers

Materials:

• Turkey template (FREE download HERE)

• Contact paper

• Craft feathers (linked HERE)

• Tape or glue stick

Step 1: Download and print the turkey template OR draw/create your own.

Step 2: Cut a piece of contact paper and peel the back off. Place it so the sticky side is up.

Step 3: Press the turkey down on the contact paper.

Step 4: Give the child craft feathers and have them stick them onto the contact paper!

This is also a GREAT one to tape to the wall for some vertical play!

Sponge Painting

Materials:

• Turkey template (FREE download HERE)

• Washable paint

• Sponge

• Scissors

• Construction paper

• Tape or glue stick

Step 1: Download and print the turkey template OR draw/create your own.

Step 2: Use the scissors to cut a feather shape out of the sponge. You can make multiple or just reuse the same sponge over and over.

Step 3: Squirt out some paint onto a plate or tray. Dip the sponge into the paint and press it into the construction paper. Continue this process until all of the feathers are complete.

Step 4: Wait for the paint to dry. Tape or glue the turkey down.

Scrape Painting

Materials:

• Turkey template (FREE download HERE)

• Washable paint

• Plastic ruler OR paint scraper

• Construction paper

• Tape or glue stick

Step 1: Download and print the turkey template OR draw/create your own.

Step 2: Squirt a few drops of paint directly onto the construction paper. Make them at varying heights- these will represent the feathers!

Step 3: Take your scraper/ruler and start at the top. Slowly scrape down, pulling slowly but firmly as you go. You will want to do this on a tray or put a piece of paper underneath to catch the excess paint. Slide the scraper all the way down to the bottom to create the feathers!

Step 4: Wait for the paint to dry. Tape or glue the turkey down.

Turkey Sun Catcher

Materials:

• Turkey template (FREE download HERE)

• Tissue paper in assorted colors

• Scissors

• Contact paper (Linked HERE)

• Construction paper

• Tape or glue stick

Step 1: Download and print the turkey template OR draw/create your own.

Step 2: Use the scissors to cut a feather shape out of the construction paper. Cut out the inside of the feather, leaving a boarder.

Step 3: Cut a piece of contact paper and remove the backing. Place it sticky side up. Put the feather outlines on the contact paper.

Step 4: tear the pieces of tissue paper and push into the contact paper. Continue until all of the feathers are filled!

Step 5: Add the turkey onto the contact paper. Hang in the window!

Torn Paper Turkey

Materials:

• Turkey template (FREE download HERE)

• Glue

• Construction paper OR

• Scrapbooking paper

• Tape or glue stick

Step 1: Download and print the turkey template OR draw/create your own.

Step 2: Tear the paper into small pieces and use the glue to adhere it to the paper.

Step 3: Wait for the paint to dry. Tape or glue the turkey down.

Washi Tape Turkey

Materials:

• Turkey template (FREE download HERE)

• Washi tape OR (Linked HERE)

• Painters tape

• Construction paper

• Tape or glue stick

Step 1: Download and print the turkey template OR draw/create your own.

Step 2: Pull off pieces of the tape and tear them into small pieces. Stick them onto the paper to form the feathers. This is SO good for strengthening fine motor skills AND it is mess-free!

Step 3:  Tape or glue the turkey down.

You get to decide what is safe and manageable in your home. Always monitor young children.