One of my favorite easy Thanksgiving crafts for kids is the adorable handprint Turkey with feathers. We love doing this one a canvas so we have an easy way to hang it up and display.
This popular Thanksgiving turkey handprint craft is definitely not new, but I wanted to pop a bit of a twist on the old favorite that includes different colored fingers by using some funky bright-colored feathers instead.
I also had a bit of fun by joining in on the action and doing my own handprint turkey as well. My daughter had loads of fun painting my hand and instructing me on how to do the print.
This kid's craft for Thanksgiving is perfect for toddlers and younger kids. My daughter is currently 2.5 years and she loved some aspects of the craft (such as the handprint and gluing the feathers), but she lost interest when it came to the detailed bits.
Because you are incorporating feathers and alphabet stickers, I think even older kids up to the age of 10 might enjoy doing this activity.
You can even step up the challenge by getting the older kids to create their own alphabet stickers on your sticker die cut machine. If you have older kids you might like to try this Thanksgiving turkey craft tutorial instead.
Find the full instructions on how to recreate the handprint turkey craft for toddlers and younger kids down below.
Easy Thanksgiving Handprint Turkey with Feathers
There are many handprint Thanksgiving crafts, but this one is perfect for younger kids! Find below the full step-by-step instructions on how to recreate this with your kids.
Supplies Required:
- 1 x Canvas (25cm x 20cm)
- Tube of Light Brown, Dark Brown, and Red Acrylic Paint
- 1 x Packet of Bright Colored Feathers
- 1 x Packet of Googly Eyes
- 1 x Packet of Alphabet Stickers (or Alphabet Stamps and Ink)
- 1 x Packet of Paint Brushes (I found it easier to simply use a new paintbrush for each color rather than trying to clean one in between steps)
- Glue
- Optional: Blue, Red, and Mustard Colored Paint for Border
- Optional: Baby Wipes to Wipe Hands
- Optional: White Paint to Fix up Smears of Paint on Background
- Optional: Hair Dryer to Speed up Paint Drying Process
Instructions:
Step 1: Apply dark brown paint to the palm and thumb of your child's hand. Press down the print onto the canvas. (Don't paint the rest of the fingers).
Tip: Use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process of the paint. Little kids are impatient so this is really helpful.
Step 3: Once the paint is dry, glue down some feathers where the fingers should be.
Step 4: Adhere a googly eye to the turkey.
Step 5: Add a beak and sticky legs with some light brown paint.
Step 6: Add the red snood to the turkey.
Tip: Use the hairdryer to dry the paint before proceeding.
Step 7: Once the paint is dry, fix up any smears of paint on the background with some white paint.
My daughter randomly painted over the turkey at one point, but fortunately, I could save it by wiping off the excess with a wet wipe and simply painting a few layers of white over what was left of the paint.
(See if you can spot the big smear below – notice I gave her paper to keep her busy in between steps)
Tip: Use the hairdryer to dry the paint before proceeding.
Step 8: Add some alphabet stickers to your canvas. Alternatively, your child might prefer having fun with some alphabet stamps and some ink.
My daughter is only 2.5 years, so I played it safe with stickers that I could fix up after her attempt.
Step 9: Finish off your canvas with some short smears of red, blue, and mustard paint.
I'm not sure I'm loving this border I created, but I really felt like the canvas needed something around the edge. So I'll leave it up to you whether you wish to do this step or not.
I hope you guys have loads of fun recreating your own turkey handprint crafts.
You can find loads more projects, tutorials, and ‘how-to' posts on our DIY craft blog here.
Looking for more kids' crafts?
- Found some beautiful smooth rocks? The kids will love making these monster stone rocks.
- After something for Thanksgiving? These fun turkeys are perfect for older kids.
- After a craft for Christmas? These Christmas cards for kids are easy to whip up.
- Is it October? These Halloween ghosts from leaves are cute as.
- Have a Cricut machine? Your kids will love these easy Cricut crafts for kids.
