This simple DIY project will be devoured by your kids, who will also, at last, stop pestering you in the kitchen on Thanksgiving.
An all too familiar Thanksgiving scene: You’re (still!) working in the warm kitchen, wearing an apron, trying to make a batch of mashed potatoes while assembling your Thanksgiving dessert. Your culinary prowess will undoubtedly impress your family, but when it comes to last-minute preparations, the kids aren’t cooperating at all. Cue the whining: “Moooooooom, Im bored! Why cant I just watch YouTube challenges on my iPad?”.
Try pulling out some plain white computer paper and a pack of washable markers before giving in to the mindless technology. Set a challenge for your restless group to make these incredibly easy DIY hand turkeys, which are the easiest Thanksgiving crafts for kids. Weve conveniently mapped out an exact step-by-step tutorial, below. Bling out that bird, though, if you have extra buttons, sequins, feathers, pom-poms, stickers, or glitter stashed away in your arts and crafts supply closet. We added glitter to the hat buckle and adhered a googly eye to the peeper.
Another amazing mom tip: To create the ideal Thanksgiving table settings, turn their artwork into placemats. Just ask the kids to sign their names on their drawings, then encourage them to be more independent by helping them proudly set the kids’ table. Pro tip: You might want to think about upgrading to a thicker card stock for the placemat project. Its more durable and can go the distance from dinner to dessert. Gobble, gobble!.
Below, your find step-by-step instructions to make this adorable Thanksgiving craft. You can also follow along in the video above.
Using a sharp pencil, trace the outline of your hand on a new piece of white computer paper. Tip: You might want to remove bracelets and bling for smoother lines . unlike me!.
Yay! Youve traced your hand. Now draw a line to separate your “feathers” from the body of your turkey. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, feasting, and of course, crafting! While the adults are busy in the kitchen whipping up a storm of delicious dishes, keep the kids entertained with this fun and easy hand turkey craft. It’s a simple project that requires minimal supplies and is sure to bring out the creativity in your little turkeys
Materials:
- White computer paper
- Pencil
- Washable markers or crayons
- Optional: Buttons, sequins, feathers, pom-poms, stickers, glitter, googly eyes, glue
Instructions:
- Outline your hand: Grab a fresh sheet of white computer paper and trace the outline of your hand using a sharp pencil. Tip: Remove bracelets and rings for smoother lines.
- Separate the feathers: Draw a line to separate the “feathers” from the body of your turkey.
- Color it in: Get creative! You can trace your “turkey” in brown marker and then use crayons to color the feathers. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors!
- Add wings and feet: Using markers, draw a wing on the body of the turkey and two little turkey legs with toes.
- Give it some personality: Glue on a googly eye (or draw one with a marker) and add a waddle and snood with red and orange markers.
- Festive touch: Draw a festive hat on your turkey with a black marker. Add a touch of glitter to the hat buckle for extra sparkle.
- Transform into placemats: For a fun twist, turn your hand turkeys into placemats for the Thanksgiving table. Simply have each child write their name on their drawing and use thicker card stock for durability.
Tips:
- Get creative: Don’t be afraid to add your own personal touches to the hand turkey. Use buttons, sequins, feathers, pom-poms, stickers, or anything else you can find in your craft supplies.
- Make it a family activity: Get the whole family involved in making hand turkeys. It’s a great way to spend quality time together and create lasting memories.
- Turn it into a learning experience: Talk to your kids about turkeys, their role in Thanksgiving, and other interesting facts about these fascinating birds.
Making a hand turkey is a fun and easy way to get into the Thanksgiving spirit. It’s a simple craft that is perfect for kids of all ages and is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. So gather your supplies, let your creativity flow, and gobble up this fun Thanksgiving activity!
Additional Resources:
- Good Housekeeping Hand Turkey Tutorial: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/thanksgiving-ideas/g29194874/how-to-make-hand-turkey/
- More Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/thanksgiving-ideas/g29189030/thanksgiving-crafts-for-kids/
Draw wings and feet.
Using makers, draw a wing on the body of the turkey and two little turkey legs with toes.
Glue on a googly eye.
If you have one, glue it on; if not, all you need is a black marker dot. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.