30 Cute and Easy Turkey Crafts for Thanksgiving

While you are preparing the Thanksgiving feast, your little ones may get restless anxiously waiting for the yummy turkey to be ready. Keep them occupied with these turkey crafts they can create while they wait. From crafts for the mantle and turkey place cards to delicious turkey cookies, there’s no shortage of Thanksgiving activities! These easy crafts are also great for in the classroom, where students can take them home for decoration.

1. Build a Turkey

Get your little ones to use their imaginations with this build-a-turkey activity! We have supplied all the pieces necessary to put your turkey together. All you need is scissors and glue to create your gobbly new friend! We suggest building the body first and gluing the facial features on last. Print your turkey in black and white and have your little one color in each part. On a time crunch? Print the pieces in color for easy assembly.

2. Paper Cup Turkey

Looking for a quick turkey craft that can double as a beverage holder? Try this paper cup turkey craft. This turkey craft, which uses just a few simple materials, is a cute decoration for the table and serves as a time filler for the kiddos before the feast.

Supplies Needed

• Paper cup
• Paintbrush
• Brown washable paint
• Turkey printables
• Glue
• White, orange and red cardstock or construction paper
• Scissors

Directions

1. Apply the brown paint to the outside of the paper cup and let dry.
2. Print printables and cut out pieces.
3. Flip the cup upside down and glue feathers on the back of the cup.
4. Glue eyes, nose and snood (red piece) onto the front middle portion of the cup.
5. Finally, glue the feet on the bottom rim of the cup.

3. I Am Thankful For…

Remind your little ones why we celebrate Thanksgiving with these adorable printables they can fill out. The morning of Thanksgiving or a few days before, have them think about what they are thankful for. Then, have them fill out each card with a word or phrase expressing their gratitude. Cut the cards out and use them as placecards for Thanksgiving dinner. Alternatively, have the whole family write one thing they are thankful for and place at their spot at the table.

4. Turkey Windstocks

While fall is in full swing, craft these turkey windsocks from Happiness is Homemade with your kiddos and place them outside. The beautiful feathers and ribbons will blow in the wind, and might even scare away crows!

5. Turkey Place Cards

For an adorable Thanksgiving seating arrangement, consider these turkey place cards from Hey Let’s Make Stuff. Collect fall leaves with  your little ones a few days before Thanksgiving. Then use them as the background to your place cards.

6. Thankful Turkey Journal

This craft by Arts Crackers not only teaches your kids to be thankful, it also doubles as a nifty journal! Read the step-by-step tutorial to find out how you can make your turkey journal. To really get into the spirit of Thanksgiving, have your child write at least 10 things they are thankful for.

7. Yarn and Ribbon Thanksgiving Turkey

Let your little artist shine with this cute yarn and ribbon Thanksgiving turkey craft from I Heart Crafty Things. Your child will love choosing their favorite ribbons for this project and you’ll love watching their creativity shine!

8. Gratitude Turkeys

For younger kids who may not be able to write sentences yet, try Happiness is Homemade’s gratitude turkey. Cut paper leaves out of a colorful array of construction paper and then have your child write words representing what they are thankful. For extra brownie points have them recite these on Thanksgiving before the feast.

9. Turkey Bowling

While you are preparing the Thanksgiving turkey, keep the kids entertained with a game of turkey bowling! These work best with mini-pumpkins and can be easily set up and put away. Check out The Seasoned Mom’s blog post to learn more.

10. Turkey Pom Pom Craft

Just yarn, felt and feathers are all it takes to create this adorable turkey! Growing Up Gabel puts together a soft turkey pom pom craft that can either be set at the kids’ table or used as individual place settings for the big feast.

11. Turkey Treats

Surprise your kids with a tasty treat on Thanksgiving morning! Fill a clear ornament with their favorite cereal and craft your turkey around it. Then when it’s time for breakfast, all they’ll need is a bowl of milk and a spoon! For a detailed how-to, check out 5 Minutes for Mom’s blog post here.

12. Turkey Balloons

Looking for fun, festive decor for your Thanksgiving table? Check out Hello Wonderful’s DIY turkey balloons. Not only are these great for photos, they also serve as awesome toys post-feast.

13. Turkey Clothespin Craft

For an easy, manageable turkey craft for the classroom, check out Katherine Marie’s turkey clothespin craft! Give your kids a variety of feathers to choose from and have them mix and match.

14. DIY Turkey Boxes

Fill the kids’ time while you are preparing dinner with these DIY turkey boxes from Love The Day. They are great as place settings for the kids’ table and can hold crayons or other craft materials your kiddos can use before and after dinner.

15. Paper Roll Turkey Craft

This craft from Family Maven is perfect for children who have just begun to read and write. Help your little one craft the turkey and the feathers. Then ask them for five things they are thankful for And write each thing on a feather. Have your kiddo keep it in their bedroom for the month of November.

16. Turkey Handprint Card

Help your little one create a customized card this Thanksgiving with The Best Ideas For Kids’ turkey handprint card. Using their handprint and cardstock, create a custom card your child can give out on Thanksgiving.

17. Egg Carton Turkey Craft

Turn an egg carton into a work of art! This fun craft is perfect for decorating the home, mantle or dinner table for Thanksgiving. Read more on how to create your turkey craft on Schooling a Monkey’s blog.

18. Paper Plate Turkey Wreath

Non-Toy Gifts has put together a paper plate turkey wreath you can hang on the doorknob or use to decorate your kid’s door! This wreath uses paper plates, paint and a few basic craft tools, is budget-friendly and only takes a few hours to make.

19. Turkey Cork Craft

For all the wine lovers out there, this is the perfect craft your little ones can do! Thanks to Craft Create Cook, these turkey corks fit perfectly on the holiday table or beside the wine selection at Thanksgiving. Just make sure the corks are dry before handing them off!

20. Mini Pumpkin Turkey Craft

Jazz up regular mini pumpkins with this adorable turkey craft from Family Food and Travel. These fit perfectly on top of small pumpkins or gourds and make for a great table setting. Write each guest’s name on the pumpkin for an added touch of personalization.

21. Turkey Feather Math Activity

Keep your child’s brain active with this turkey feather math activity from Fantastic Fun and Learning. It’s a great way to practice counting while still getting in the holiday spirit! It’s also a great math lesson for teachers to give before Thanksgiving break.

22. Clay Pot Turkey

Have old clay pots lying around from previous plants? Turn them into fabulous turkeys with Busy Creating Memories’ step-by-step tutorial. Go above and beyond and attach white lights into the center hole of each turkey for an instant light garland!

23. Paper Feathered Turkey

For the ultimate craft junkie, try The Happy Scraps’ paper feathered turkey. The ultimate fall decor, this little turkey uses fall patterned cardstock for the feathers. Place it on the front door or in the dining room for guests to enjoy.

24. Popsicle Stick Turkey Craft

For place settings you can craft for the whole family, check out theses popsicle stick turkey crafts from Keeping It Simple Craft. Using popsicle sticks and washi tape, turn these turkey “feathers” into personalized names for each guest.

25. DIY Crayon Turkeys

Using real wood and power tools, create this unique DIY crayon turkey from Paging Super Mom. This crayon holder is not only fun for the kiddos, it’s the perfect decor piece for the kids’ table!

26. Pinecone Turkey Centerpieces

Looking for an alternative table setting? Create Marla Meridith’s vibrant pinecone turkey centerpieces using your favorite card stock patterns and a large pine cone. Don’t forget to give the turkey eyes, a nose and a mouth!

27. Gum Stick Turkeys

Simple and Seasonal has put together instructions for fun, inexpensive gum stick turkeys that the whole family will enjoy. The simple craft requires a few basics, like your favorite gum flavor and creativity! These little guys are perfect for the dinner table or classroom.

28. Mr. and Mrs. Turkey Potato Head

For a distinct turkey craft idea, try Kiki Creates’ turkey Mr. Potato head! Since the blog gives you a variety of printable options, your little one can mix and match. Try a pirate turkey or a turkey basketball player. Go team Gobble!

29. Handprint Turkey Cookies

Want a yummy customized treat this Thanksgiving? Check out Somewhat Simple’s tutorial on how to make handprint turkey cookies using a stencil of your child’s hand and a sugar cookie. Finish the treat with frosting and use yummy candies for the feathers.

30. Pumpkin Turkey Craft

Use the elements of the outdoors to create this pumpkin turkey craft from Growing Up Bilingual. Add the body to the top of the pumpkin and little legs on the bottom. Then help your kids find some fall leaves outside for the feathers.

These turkey crafts are the ultimate Thanksgiving treat for your little ones. Help them create a craft or two as table setting decor, or encourage your children to craft after they have finished their Thanksgiving feast. Set your holiday table with personalized Thanksgiving placemats or a table runner here.