ALT-1 Thanksgiving Turkey Crafts for Preschoolers
Art projects are a great way to help preschoolers fulfill their need for self-expression and nothing is cuter than a Thanksgiving Turkey crafted by little hands. These turkey craft ideas are designed for learning and exploring through the use of various materials and imagination. They make great hostess gifts, napkin rings, or seating labels and can help your preschooler actively participate in your family’s Thanksgiving celebration.
Straw Hat Turkey
One straw hatFeathersWiggly eyes or black eyed peasColored paper, fabric, or craft foam for beak and feetSmall red balloon, un-inflatedRibbonCraft gluePermanent marker
Lay the hat on a newspaper covered table. Instruct children to glue feathers along the top half of the brim so that they are pointing out in a fan shaped arch. Allow glue to dry. Use the permanent marker, to draw two small dots onto either side of the bowl. Tell the children to glue more feathers on these dots to make the turkey’s wings. Glue wiggly eyes or black eyed peas onto the bowl for eyes. Help children cut a triangular shape for the beak and glue it under the eyes. Glue the un-inflated balloon to one side of the beak. Cut “tulip” shapes for feet and glue them onto the hat brim below the turkey’s head. Add a bow for a necktie if desired.
These adorable turkeys can be made from a large hat for a door or wall hanging or from smaller, doll sized hats for place settings or napkin rings. Adjust feathers and other materials accordingly. Glue a ribbon loop to the back of the turkey to attach them to napkins or as a fastener for hanging. Add pre-printed names to feet for place settings.
Clay Pot Turkey
One small clay pot (2 ¼ inch pots work well)One wooden bead for headBrown craft paintSmall sponge type paint brushesFeathersWiggly eyes (optional)An assortment of buttons, ribbon, small pieces of fabric or craft foam and other desired decorationsCraft glue
Place the pot upside down on a newspaper covered work surface. Instruct children to paint the pot and the wood bead. Allow them to dry. Have children glue the bead onto the the pot, making the turkey’s body and head. Instruct them to glue feathers onto the back of the pot for a tail. Glue or paint eyes onto the bead. Add a triangle shaped beak, gobbler and feet to the turkey using any combination of desired craft material. Let kids be creative. Glue a button and bow directly below the beaded head if desired.
Turkey Condiment Cover
Mismatched mittenSmall dessert size paper plate cut in halfFeathersAn assortment of colored paper, fabric, craft foam, ribbon, and other desired decorationsCraft glue
Have children glue feathers onto the paper plate in a fan shape for the turkey’s tail. Glue the mitten, thumb facing out toward you in the center of the plate. Let dry. Decorate the thumb as the turkey’s head by gluing on various shapes of materials for eyes, a beak, and a gobbler. Add a bow to the bottom of the thumb for a tie if desired. Slip your turkey mitten over condiment bottles to brighten up the dinner table or over small water bottles for individual place settings.
