How to Make a Thankful Turkey

Being thankful for what you have is something I really want to be mindful of teaching my kids. I recently wrote, “I am thankful for,” on our massive outdoor chalkboard that is affixed to our fence. Every afternoon as we play outside, the kids and I add more things for which we are thankful. You have to see how adorable they are! .

This post is oringially from 2015, when Maxwell was only 19 months old. The original intro to this tutorial was so cute, I’m leaving it right below.

Here’s a quick video of the thankful turkey craft tutorial. Read below for more details about how to make the little turkey!.

If you’re like me and prefer a step by step with pictures and words. Read on, my friend, for the cutest little turkey craft idea!.

A simple and enjoyable way to commemorate Thanksgiving and express gratitude for all the blessings in your life is to make a thankful turkey. Here are two different ways to make a thankful turkey:

Method 1:

Materials:

Cardstock
Poster board
Yarn
Markers
Glue

Instructions:

Cut out a turkey’s head, body, wings, and feet from poster board.
Decorate the turkey with cardstock, yarn, and markers.
Cut 15 feathers from cardstock.
Write something you’re thankful for on each feather.
Glue the feathers to the turkey.
Save some feathers and have your Thanksgiving guests write what they’re thankful for.

Tips:

For younger kids, use a paper plate for the body and cut out 5 feathers instead of 15. Instead of writing, draw what you are thankful for on each feather.
For older kids, create a “compliment turkey” for someone else and describe one wonderful thing about that person on every feather.

Method 2:

Materials:

Construction paper
Markers
Scissors
Glue

Instructions:

Cut out a turkey body from construction paper.
Cut out 10-15 feathers from construction paper.
Write something you’re thankful for on each feather.
Glue the feathers to the turkey body.
Decorate the turkey with markers.

Tips:

Use different colors of construction paper for the turkey body and feathers.
Add glitter, sequins, or other embellishments to the turkey.
Write a message on the turkey, such as “Happy Thanksgiving” or “I’m thankful for…”

Benefits of Making a Thankful Turkey:

Promotes gratitude: Making a thankful turkey is a great way to reflect on all the good things in your life and to express your gratitude for them.
Encourages creativity: Making a thankful turkey is a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Makes a great Thanksgiving decoration: A thankful turkey can be a festive and meaningful decoration for your Thanksgiving table or home.

Making a thankful turkey is a fun and easy way to celebrate Thanksgiving and show your appreciation for all the good things in your life. It’s a great activity for kids and adults alike, and it can be a meaningful way to start your Thanksgiving celebration.

Step 3- Connect the turkey’s head

If you don’t have a wooden knob, you could use construction paper or even a wine cork. Just press the wooden knob directly onto the ball of yarn using the toothpick!.

Step 1- Wrap the styrofoam ball

My Styrofoam ball is upcycled from an old fake flower arrangement, as you can see in the picture. Wrap the ball in brown yarn. TIP: Secure the beginning peice of yarn with a peice of tape. When the entire ball is covered in yarn, tuck the end peice under other yarn strands.

How To Make A Thankful Turkey | Fun and Educational Videos for Kids

FAQ

What is the gratitude turkey activity?

Ask your child to think of things they are grateful for. Is it family, friends, a favorite toy, or an activity they like to do? Then create a gratitude turkey featuring the things the things they said they were thankful for. Start with a few feathers and then add more throughout the holiday season.

Why is turkey a Thanksgiving tradition?

Thanksgiving-type celebrations were common at the turn of the 19th century with many opting to put a turkey on the table instead of slaughtering a useful animal like a hen or cow that was producing other needed products, according to Britannica. Turkeys at the time, and still today, were raised to be meat birds.

How do I make a thankful Turkey craft?

First things first, head to the bottom of the page and download the thankful turkey printables. Print out the turkey templates and I am thankful for writing prompt. Print onto the colours indicated on the templates and then cut out all the pieces. Now you have all the pieces needed it is time to assemble your turkey craft.

How do you make a Thanksgiving turkey a thank you?

Have your child record something they’re thankful for on each of the turkey’s tail feathers. Younger kids will need to dictate to an adult who can write their responses down. Older children can write their own answers. You could also cut write and then cut the feathers out. Glue or tape each feather to the back of the turkey.

What can you do with a Thanksgiving turkey?

It can be used at school or homeschool as part of a social studies lesson, for library activities, or as a fun craft for the whole family when you get together for Thanksgiving dinner. Why not make a thankful turkey into a fun tradition for your Thanksgiving Day?

How do you make a Turkey tarot card?

I printed the first page (turkey body and feathers) on regular white printer paper, and the second page (“I am thankful for…”) on beige cardstock. Then, use scissors to cut out all four shapes on the first page: the turkey’s body, the feather, the beak and the wattle. 2. Trace Shapes on Construction Paper