Hands-and-Feet Turkey Craft

Children will enjoy tracing their hands and feet to create this one-of-a-kind paper turkey craft for Thanksgiving.

What you'll need:

• Construction paper in brown, tan, orange, red, yellow and white
• Scissors
• Glue
• Wiggle eyes (optional)

How to make it:

 Before You Start

1. Find a place to work, and protect it with a large sheet of paper.
2. Gather all your materials.
3. Read all the directions.

Making Your Hands-and-Feet Turkey

Step 1 - Trace the child's hands and feet

1. Trace two feet (with shoes on) on brown construction paper.
2. Trace two hands on tan construction paper.
3. Trace two hands on red construction paper.
4. Trace two hands on orange construction paper.
5. Trace one hand on yellow construction paper.

Step 2 - Cut out all the pieces

 Cut out all the hands and feet tracings.

Step 3 - Make the Body

Put the two feet tracings together to make the turkey body and head, placing the heels together one on top of another, and spreading the bottoms apart as in the illustration. Glue.

Cut two feet out of the orange scraps, then cut a diamond shape for the beak. Draw the eyes on white paper and cut them out, or use wiggle eyes. Make the wattle out of red construction paper. Glue each piece onto the body as shown.

Step 4 - Attach the tail

Glue the red, orange, and yellow construction paper hands behind the brown body to make the tail.

Step 5 - Wings

Position the two tan hands on either side of the body to make the turkey's wings and glue them in place.

You're Done!

Enjoy your decoration. Be sure to put the date on the back, so that in future years you'll be able to know when it was made.

Have fun making a whole flock of turkeys—or enjoy making a turkey each year to chart how much your child has grown.

Tips:

Young children may need help tracing their hands and feet.

Felt Turkey Pin Jewelry Craft

In the day before Thanksgiving or on the day itself, give guests and friends a special reminder with this felt turkey pin. This is a fun kids' craft that can be done at school or at home.

What you'll need:

• Tan or brown felt for body and head
• Golden brown or tan felt for feathers
• Gold felt
• Red felt
• Two Tiny wiggle eyes
• Tacky glue
• Scissors
• Pen
• Safety pin (about 1" size)

How to make it:

 To make it easier, draw your shapes on felt before cutting them out.

1. Cut out a 1" circle for the body of the turkey.
2. Cut out a 1/2" circle for the head of the turkey.
3. Cut out a heart (1 1/2" wide x 1 3/4" tall) for the feathers.
4. Cut a little oval shaped (1/4" wide x 1/2" long) out of red for the gobbler.
5. Cut a tiny gold triangle for the beak (1/4" wide x 1/4" long).
6. Cut out tiny feet (use your imagination) out of gold felt (1/2" wide x 1/4" tall).
7. Cut a square of felt for the back of the turkey to hold the safety pin.
8. Glue round body close to the middle of the heart shaped felt piece.
9. Glue the round head overlapping the top of the round body.
10. Add glue to the top of the wattle on the underneath side.
11. Pull up the bottom part of the head and slip the wattle under it. Press down firmly.
12. Glue twowiggle eyes on the head.
13. Glue the beak near the bottom of the head (see picture).
14. Glue the feet at the bottom of the body.
15. Turn the turkey over. Open the safety pin. Lay the square of felt over the back (non-opening side) of the safety pin. Glue the square in place.
16. Let dry. Wear and enjoy.

Craft Stick Turkey Greeter

This project is easy to make and uses minimal supplies. Poke the turkey's stick into an upside-down paper cup or hang on the edge of a flower pot.

What you'll need:

• 10 jumbo craft sticks
• 2 medium wiggle eyes
• Miniature craft stick
• Small scrap of paper
• Sharpie marker
• Felt (white, black, goldenrod, and red)
• Acrylic paint (brown, orange, yellow, and red)
• Scissors
• Hot glue or white craft glue

How to make it:

1. Paint the jumbo craft sticks: four brown, two yellow, two red and one orange. Leave one unpainted.
2. Cut one-half an egg shape (body) from the goldenrod felt, approximately 2 1/2 x 3 inches.
3. Cut a small elongated triangle from the goldenrod felt for the beak.
4. From red felt, cut an elongated heart shape, about one-inch long.
5. From black felt, cut a simple top hat and a small rectangle for the buckle.
6. From the white felt, cut a small rectangle for the buckle a little bit larger than the black one.
7. Lay the plain jumbo craft stick on the table. This will be your base stick.
8. Starting from the right, glue craft sticks into a fan shape, stacking one on top of the other as you go. Our pattern goes brown, yellow, red, brown, yellow, red, orange, brown.
9. You should have one brown craft stick left over. This is your turkey's body. Glue it straight up and down onto the middle of the fan shape.
10. Glue goldenrod body in place. Next, glue the gobbler (red heart) just above the top of the body.
11. Glue the beak in place just above the gobbler.
12. Glue wiggle eyes above the beak.
13. Glue hat onto top of head, then glue white rectangle on hat and black rectangle onto the white one, creating the buckle.
14. Write "Happy Thanksgiving" on a small piece of paper or construction paper. Glue to miniature craft stick, then glue craft stick to body.
15. Allow to dry completely.

Tips:

• If this is a class project, break it into steps. Paint one day, cut another, glue the next.
• Some craft stores carry packages of colored craft sticks.
• Put a fairly heavy rock in the center of a paper plate. Glue an upside down paper cup to over the top of the rock. When dry, insert the craft stick into the top of the cup for a fun Turkey Greeter holder.
• Alternatively, you can use construction paper for the feathers so that your turkey lays flat. Use the "sign" for each guest's name and use as place holders for dinner!

Pumpkin Turkey Craft

This pumpkin turkey Thanksgiving craft involves decorating a pumpkin to look like a turkey, which we can assure you is easier than decorating a Thanksgiving turkey to look like a pumpkin! Kids will need help attaching the decorations.

What you'll need:

• Pumpkin
• Printed pattern
• Crayons, markers, paint, or colored pencils
• Scissors
• Thick craft glue and/or hot glue
• Toothpicks or short skewers for mini version; popsicle sticks or skewers for large version
• Thin cardboard (cereal boxes will work) for the large turkey
• Colored paper, optional

How to make it:

1. Find a place to work, and protect it with a large sheet of paper.
2. Gather all your materials.
3. Read all the directions, there will be choices to make that will determine which materials you need.

Making your Pumpkin Turkey

Step 1 - Print Patterns

Print out pattern. You might want to print it on tan paper to reduce the amount of coloring necessary. You'll need one head/wings pattern, and one extra feathers pattern. If possible, print the pattern on heavy paper.

Print a sample pattern first, to determine which size you'll want for your pumpkin. If you need a size not provided, use the basic shapes as a guideline for making your own.

Small head/wings - small feathers

Medium head/wings - medium feathers

Large head - left wing - right wing - large feathers

Step 2 - Color or Make Construction Paper Pieces

Color the turkey pieces as you wish. Another option is to use the patterns shown as patterns for cutting out construction paper versions of the turkey from brown, tan, orange and yellow construction paper. Be creative in your color choices.

Only color one side of the paper on the head and feathers, as they will be glued together in Step 4.

Step 3 - Cut Out

Cut out all the shapes, if you colored them in, on the computer printout.

If you are making the large turkey, reinforce the pieces by gluing the front of the head, both wings, and half of the tail feathers to thin cardboard. Then cut them out again.

Step 4 - Glue the Halves Together with Sticks in the Center

You will notice you have a front and a back of the head/neck, and a lot of feathers. In order to attach the head and feathers to the pumpkin, they will need a toothpick or popsicle stick attached to them so that you can poke them into the pumpkin. Put a thin layer of glue on the back side of one of the head pieces, and then position the stick so that half extends beyond the neck. Then put the other side of the head on, sandwiching the stick between the layers. Do the same for the feathers, sandwiching the stick between two feathers, with half of it extending beyond the bottom of the feather. (See illustration).

Do NOT glue the wings together, although if you want to make them stronger, you can glue them to a second piece of paper and then cut them out again.

When you are done, you should have one head, five feathers, (nine feathers for the large version) and two wings.

Let the glue dry before going on to the next part.

Step 5 - Attach the Parts to the Pumpkin

An adult will need to help young kids make a small hole through the skin where the head and feathers will go. You can use a sharp knife, scissors, awl or small screwdriver to make the holes—or an extra popsicle stick.

Once the holes are make, push the sticks into the pumpkin for the head and tail feathers. Make the tail feathers stick out in a circular fashion, kind of like a fan.

Glue the wings to the side of the pumpkin. Thumb tacks can be used to temporarily hold the wings in place while the glue dries. Another option is to use hot glue with adult supervision (or the adult doing it for young kids).

You're Done!

Once the glue has dried, remove the thumbtacks from the wings, and enjoy your decoration.

Turkey Gloves

What a fun project to put together for that festive holiday, Thanksgiving. Help your child make a pair and show off to the whole family!

What you'll need:

• Pair of knit gloves (brown, orange or other fall color)
• Felt (yellow, orange, white, black, goldenrod, tan, red, and brown)
• Washable fabric glue or hot glue
• Scissors
• Plastic wrap

How to make it:

1. Stuff the fingers and palm of each glove with plastic wrap. This will keep the gloves from sticking to themselves during the gluing process.
2. From the goldenrod felt, cut out two oval shapes for the turkey's head, each one about two-inches high and 1 1/2-inches wide.
3. From the red, yellow, brown, and tan felt, cut out three-inch long strips. Cut points at the ends.
4. Cut two small triangles from the orange felt, each one about three-quarters of an inch in size.
5. From the red felt, cut two elongated heart shapes, each one about 1 1/2-inch long.
6. From the white felt, cut two, 1-inch ovals, and from the black felt cut four small ovals (for the eyes).
7. Lay all the pieces out on the gloves first, following our photo as a guide. Once you have everything in place, glue the pieces in the following order:
8. First, glue on the strips in place for the feathers.
9. Next, glue the "head" on, then the red "gobbler" (heart shape).
10. Now glue the white and black pieces on for the eyes.
11. Finish the face with the orange "beak."
12. Allow the glue to dry completely.
13. Remove the plastic wrap from the gloves.

Tips:

• Be sure that you lay all the pieces out first before gluing anything in place. Trim the pieces as necessary (sizes in the instructions are approximate and will depend on the size of your gloves).
• We suggest choosing fall colors for your gloves but you can use any color you like. Knit gloves are inexpensive, often under $1 per pair and can be found at discount department stores, grocery stores, drug stores and even dollar stores.
• You can purchase special fabric glue called "Wash It," which glues fabrics together and will not wash out. Be careful though, if you get it on your clothing it won't wash out of it either!

Textured Turkey Craft

If you need a longer-term craft project that involves gradually creating a textured turkey decoration, look no further. Taking your time is key. It makes a perfect Thanksgiving craft for children four years and up.

What you'll need:

• Oak tag paper
• Yellow, red, orange, and brown construction paper
• Glue
• Brown tissue paper cut into one inch squares

How to make it:

THE BODY

1. Trace the outline of a turkey on aak tag paper. Have the children cut it out.
2. Children then take squares of brown tissue paper, crumple, and glue onto turkey. (Draw ovals for eyes beforehand so that children don't put tissue paper there).
3. Set aside to dry.

FEATHERS

1. Outline feathers on oak tag. Depending on size of body decide how many you need. (At least four to use all colors)
2. Next, pre-cut strips of paper the width of the feather and about one inch long.
3. Take about 1/4 of the paper on the top, and fold it down. Glue the remaining part on the feather. So what you have will be the tip of the paper folding down towards you.
4. Do the same thing with another strip of paper. Bend the tip, then glue HALFWAY down the first strip. So you'll have overlapping strips of paper (going down the feather), with the tips folded towards you.
5. After feather is completely covered with strips to the bottom, and glue has dried, you have children cut slits lengthwise into the folds. Then ruffle them a bit to get some texture in it.
6. Use a different color for each feather.
7. Finally, glue finished feathers onto the body. Use a marker to make the eyes, and improvise on the beak and legs. You can use black marker on the eyes and use glitter to outline circle.

Tips:

Although not difficult, this project does require some time to complete. Plan on using it as an all week project. Also plan on doing a little preparation work before you have the kids start the project. It may seem overwhelming, but if done slowly, it's really not. The end result is wonderful though!

Turkey Toothpick Holder

Kids can craft a Thanksgiving ornament that does double duty with this turkey toothpick holder. It makes a fun pass-around for after the feast--even better than doing the dishes.

What you'll need:

• 1 1/2' terracotta pot
• Popsicle stick
• Tacky glue
• Tiny wiggle eyes
• Feathers - brown, orange, black (or make some out of foam or paper)
• Fun foam or construction paper in black, brown, red, orange

How to make it: Before you start

1. Find a place to work, and protect it with a large sheet of paper.
2. Gather all your materials.
3. Read all the directions.

Making your Turkey Toothpick Holder

Turkey Head

1. Draw a turkey head and neck on the brown paper or foam.
2. Make a little pilgrim hat with the black paper or foam.
3. Glue the head/neck to the Popsicle stick, then glue the hat on top.
4. Add wiggle eyes, an orange beak, and red wattle.
5. Attach the head to the pot.
6. Glue the Popsicle stick to the inside of the pot.

Tail

1. Glue some feathers to the back of the pot. You can also use a couple feathers for wings on the side of the pot.

Pinecone Turkey Thanksgiving Craft

A pleasant nature walk is all you need to gather supplies for this pinecone turkey figure. Thanksgiving is the perfect time for this craft that's fun for kids to create and makes a great place setting idea.

What you'll need:

• Pinecone
• Acorn or elongated small nut
• Two (10 mm) wiggle eyes
• Low temp glue gun or tacky glue
• Red chenille stem
• Orange chenille stem
• Wire cutters
• Bird feathers
• Slice of dead tree branch or other piece of wood for base (about 1/2 inch thick and three inches across)
• Gold spray paint

How to make it:

1. Lightly spray the pinecone with gold spray paint. Let dry.
2. Cut the orange chenille into two (three inch) pieces.
3. Fold the first orange chenille stem into half, twist about 1/4 inches from end and open up ends to make the feet.
4. Repeat for second orange chenille stem.
5. Stick the orange feet in the turkey a little less than halfway from the largest end. Glue in place (See photo).
6. Glue turkey body (pinecone) with feet down to the piece of wood.
7. Glue the acorn to the smallest end of the pine cone.
8. Glue feathers in the pinecone closest to the largest end (see photo for placement).
9. Glue wiggle eyes on the head (acorn).
10. Cut a tiny piece of red chenille stem to use as the waddle and glue below the eyes.
11. Make extras and use them on your Thanksgiving table!

Tin Can Turkey Craft

Gobble gobble! This adorable little turkey-themed craft for kids is perfect for filling with wrapped candy. Place him on the Thanksgiving table and everyone will comment on just how cute he is!

What you'll need:

• 1 vegetable can
• Felt: brown, red, orange, tan, goldenrod, white, black
• Scissors
• Tail pattern
• All other patterns
• Scissors
• White craft glue
• Hot glue gun

How to make it:

1. Inspect the opening of the vegetable can and be sure there aren’t any sharp edges. If there are, use a piece of sandpaper to wear them down. Remove label, wash and dry completely.
2. Lay can on its side on the short end of the sheet of brown felt. Roll up to determine how much felt you will need, trim the end so that you have about an inch overlap at the top, bottom and around the perimeter as well. Glue the brown felt to the can, folding over the excess and gluing to the bottom and inside the lip of the can. Look for the seam, this will be the back of your turkey.
3. Using pattern, cut out the tail from a piece of cardstock, you will need this to glue your felt to as the felt is too flimsy to stand on its own. Using the other patterns, cut out a red waddle, white eyes, black pupils, brown head, black eyebrows, goldenrod beak, tan collar, and orange feet. For tail feathers, cut out 2 red, 2 tan, 1 orange, 1 goldenrod and 1 brown.
4. Glue the collar, straight side lines up with the top of the can, to the front of the turkey (remember, seam is in the back).
5. Glue the red waddle just above the bottom of the collar.
6. Glue the head over the top of the waddle, leaving just the bumps of the waddle showing below the head. The head will be above the lip of the can
7. Glue on the whites of the eyes in the center of the head. Glue on the black pupils to the white.
8. Glue on the goldenrod beak, overlapping the bottom of the eyes slightly.
9. Glue on the eyebrows above the eyes, pointing upward.
10. Glue 2 orange feet to the bottom portion of the can (see photo).
11. Lay the card stock tail template on to the table. Glue a red felt tail feather on top of the far right point. Repeat on the left side with the other red tail feather. Glue a tan feather to the next point on the right, overlapping the first red one. Do this on the left as well, using a goldenrod tail feather.
12. Repeat on the right with an orange feather and on the left with a tan feather. Finally, glue the brown feather to the center point, overlapping feathers on both sides. Be sure there is no card stock peeking through, all should be covered with felt feathers.
13. Hot glue the completed tail to the back of the can. Put some hot glue on the sides of the can and squeeze the tail feathers around the side by gripping the can with your hand. 

Tips:

• You can use any colors you like for the feathers, our choices are just festive suggestions.
• Save vegetable and other tin cans for fun projects like this one all year long.
• Felt is fairly inexpensive, so stock up whenever you can. We buy ours at our local craft supply store for 20 cents per sheet.

Turkey Fridge Magnet

You’ll be amazed at just how easy these cute turkeys are to make. If you prefer to skip the painting steps, be sure to check out the helpful tips at the end for simple substitutions.

What you'll need:

• 3” wooden heart
• 1” wooden heart
• 1 ½” wooden football or oval
• 8-10 colorful feathers (red, brown, orange, yellow)
• 2 miniature craft sticks
• Acrylic craft paint: brown, red, yellow, white, black, orange
• Sponge applicator
• Small paint brush
• White craft glue
• Wax paper
• 2 magnets of medium weight

How to make it:

1. Paint the 3” wooden heart and the wooden football brown.
2. Paint the 1” wooden heart red.
3. Paint the 2 miniature craft sticks orange. Let all painted surfaces dry completely.
4. Place brown heart on work surface so that the pointed end is at the top. Glue the red heart onto the brown heart. The red heart should also be upside down, point facing upward, and should overlap the tip of the brown heart a little.
5. Glue the brown football (head) on top of the red heart, allowing the bumps of the heart to show underneath the football (chin).
6. Position the orange craft sticks underneath the brown wooden heart and glue in place for the legs.
7. Place turkey on to a piece of wax paper. Arrange feathers behind the “turkey” to make its tail. When you have them where you want them, glue them in place and let dry. The wax paper will keep the glue for the feathers from sticking to the table.
8. While feathers are drying, dip the handle end of the sponge applicator in to the white paint. Dot on eyes. Repeat this process with the handle end of the paint brush and black paint, adding the pupils.
9. Use the paint brush and yellow paint to add a triangular beak.
10. Allow everything to dry completely, then glue magnets to the back and let dry.

Pipe Cleaner Turkey

Thanksgiving is a busy time of year and you can keep small hands and active minds occupied with this pipe cleaner turkey craft. Kids can assemble these quickly and they make great place settings.

What you'll need:

• Wire cutters
• 1 red bumpy pipe cleaner (chenille stem)
• 1 orange bumpy pipe cleaner
• 1 brown bumpy pipe cleaner
• 1 yellow bumpy pipe cleaner
• 2 tan pipe cleaners (bumpy would look cute)
• Glue
• 2 (5-6 mm) wiggle eyes
• 2 ounce paint bottle (any color)

How to make it:

Note: Any pipe cleaner "bumps" leftover after cutting can be used in future projects.

1. Cut the brown bumpy pipe cleaner into two pieces, so that both pieces have two bumps each.
2. Cut the pipe cleaner stem into two pieces, so that one piece has just one bump and the second piece has two bumps.
3. Cut the pipe cleaner stem into two bumps.
4. Cut the yellow pipe cleaner into one bump.
5. Twist the end of one tan pipe cleaner together with the end of the second tan chenille stem.
6. Wrap the long tan pipe cleaner around the outside of a paint bottle.
7. Slip one, 2-bump brown pipe cleaner under all the layers of the tan pipe cleaner. Twist once to hold all the tan pipe cleaners together. (The brown pipe cleaner will make the turkey's head.)
8. On the opposite side of the paint bottle slide the following 2 bump pipe cleaners under all the layers of the tan pipe cleaner in one area: one each of red, brown, and orange. Position the tan pipe cleaner close together on top of the narrow part of the colored, bumpy pipe cleaner.
9. Bend the colored pipe cleaners in half and twist once to hold the tan pipe cleaners in place. (see photo)
10. Slide the turkey body off of the paint bottle.
11. Bend the head (brown) up and over slightly.
12. Bend the one-bump, red pipe cleaner in half and twist it around the neck of the turkey.
13. Place the one-bump yellow pipe cleaner at the bottom of the tan pipe cleaner and twist it around the tan pipe cleaner. Bend the middle of the pipe cleaner in towards the turkey to resemble feet.
14. Separate and fan  the tan turkey body out to give it a more rounded shape.
15. Glue a wiggle eye on each side of the turkey's head.
16. Fan out the red, brown, and orange tail feathers. (See photo)

Turkey Note Holder

This cute little turkey note holder can hang from your refrigerator or your front door. Whether his note says “Welcome”, “Where’s the Beef?” or “What’s for Dinner?," everyone will think he’s adorable!

What you'll need:

• 2 jumbo craft sticks
• Brown acrylic craft paint
• Small wooden clothespin
• Paintbrush
• Small straw hat, cut in half
• Scissors
• Small red foam heart
• Miniature orange foam triangle
• 2 yellow foam chick feet
• 2 small wiggle eyes
• White craft glue
• Hot glue gun
• 9 feathers in fall colors

How to make it:

1. Paint both craft sticks and clothespin with brown paint, set aside to dry. Paint a second coat on the craft sticks, but not the clothespin.
2. Glue feathers in a fan behind one of the craft sticks. Sandwich the second craft stick behind the feathers.
3. Glue the straw hat half to the top of the craft stick.
4. Glue two wiggle eyes under the hat.
5. Glue red heart upside down for waddle. Glue the orange triangle upside down at the top of the waddle.
6. Glue the yellow duck feet to the bottom of the craft stick, pointing upward.
7. Glue the clothespin to the front of the craft stick, pointing downward.

Tips:

• To hang on the fridge, attach two round magnets to the back of the turkey.
• To hang on a door, attach a piece of ribbon or yarn to the back of the turkey.  
• Save the other half of your straw hat for another project.

Framed Handprint Turkey

Kids will literally need to lend a helping hand for this framed handprint turkey project! A twist on the classic handprint turkey, this craft makes a wonderful keepsake that you and your child will cherish for years to come.

What you'll need:

• 9" paper plate
• Acrylic paint: goldenrod, brown, yellow, orange, green, red, white and black
• Black marker
• Paintbrush
• Felt in fall colors, cut into 1" squares

How to make it:

1. Place paper plate on work surface upside down and write the child's name and the date. Turn the plate right side up. Paint entire plate with goldenrod color and set aside to dry (see image).
2. Meanwhile, cut felt into 1" pieces. Use several fall colors, such as red, brown, orange, tan, gold and cream. If you made our Mosaic Family Frame, perhaps you have some pieces left over that you can use!
3. Have all of your paint colors handy and a separate paintbrush for each color. Paint the child's palm and thumb with a generous amount of brown paint. Working quickly so that the paint doesn't have time to dry, paint each of the child's four fingers with red, green, orange and yellow (see image). 
4. Have child gently place their handprint in the center of the paper plate. Gently press down on the child's hand and each individual finger to ensure a good distribution of paint.
5. Have child lift hand directly up into the air so as not to smear any of the colors.
6. Use a paintbrush to add a red gobbler and an orange beak. Let dry (see image). 
7. While the paint is drying you can glue on the pieces for the frame. Pipe glue around the outside edge of the plate and press the felt squares onto the glue, overlapping the outside of the plate. Alternate the colors to create a pattern.
8. Use black marker to draw legs and feet.
9. Use the handle end of a small paintbrush to add a dot for the eye, let dry. Once dry, use a toothpick to dot on the black.

Tips:

1. You can add a magnet to the back of the plate or use tape and a piece of yarn to create a hanger.
2. Always save scraps of felt and construction paper for projects such as these.
3. Instead of painting on the eye, you can glue on one wiggle eye.

Paper Bag Turkey

This darling paper bag tom turkey makes a great centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table. The best part is it can be put together with the simplest supplies.

What you'll need:

• Brown paper lunch bag
• Acrylic paint or crayons: brown, red, orange, green, yellow
• Rubber band
• Newspaper
• Plastic spoon
• Scraps of felt: orange, brown, green and maroon (or red)
• 2 medium wiggle eyes
• White craft glue
• Scissors

How to make it:

1. Lay paper bag flat on the work surface.
2. Use crayons or paint (crayons are less messy and will be much easier for younger children) to add stripes of colors to the opening of the bag, about 5-6” long (see image).
3. Open the bag and be sure to add stripes to the sides as well.
4. Cut the strips with scissors (see image).
5. Paint or color the other side of the strips. This is a little messier, so be sure kid are wearing smocks and your work surface is protected. When painting the other side of a strip, the paper may curl up on you. Just hold it flat for a few seconds and this will correct it (see image). Allow the strips to dry completely.
6. Fill the bag halfway with crumpled newspaper.
7. Gather the bag together with your hands, just under the strips, and secure with a rubber band (see image).
8. Pinch the bag, just under the rubber band, to bend the strips upward so that when the bag lies on its side, the strips will be pointing upward. Use your hands to manipulate the strips to point up; these are your turkey’s feathers (see image).
9. Cut the following from felt: Triangle – beak - orange; Heart – gobbler – maroon/red; 2 triangles – feet - brown; Bowtie – green
10. Paint the plastic spoon with tan or brown paint and let dry (see image).
11. Glue the gobbler, beak and eyes onto the spoon face.
12. Place the bag on the work surface on its side with the feathers pointing up. Make a small hole at the end of the bag where the neck and head should be.
13. Push the handle of the plastic spoon into the hole and add some glue to the opening (see image).
14. Cut toes from the flat end of the two brown triangles and dot some glue on the triangle points. Place bag body on top of the feet so glue will catch. Let dry (see image).
15. Glue the bowtie where the spoon meets the bag.

Tips:

1. For added fun, draw a sign on a piece of construction paper that says “Happy Thanksgiving” and glue to the front (chest) of the bag.
2. If you would like to keep the mess minimal, use markers or crayons instead of paint.
3. Save scraps of felt from other projects to use with projects such as this.

Paper Cup Turkeys

Kids can make several of these paper cup turkeys so the family can use them as place cards for the big Thanksgiving feast!

What you'll need:

• Paper or foam cup (8.5 oz)
• Acrylic paint in fall colors (brown, tan, orange, red, green, yellow, etc.)
• Large pom-pom for head (brown, yellow, red, orange, etc.)
• Small foam heart for gobbler (to contrast with color of head)
• Small foam triangle (orange or yellow)
• 2 small wiggle eyes
• 3” x 2” piece of orange construction paper
• 1 sheet of white construction paper
• White craft glue
• Scissors

How to make it:

1. Place cup upside down on work surface and paint brown (see image).
2. To make the feathers, paint the white construction paper with several fall colors, crisscrossing the colors as you go. Let dry (see image).
3. Cut feathers out in one large piece, should be shaped similar to a hand or crown. Cut the tips of each feather into a point (see image).
4. Apply glue to the bottom portion of the feathers and press onto the bottom of the cup. Hold in place for a minute or so to let the glue grab.
5. Place foam heart upside down so that the bumps are facing downward. Glue the foam triangle, point down, onto the upside down heart--the upper points of the triangle will be hanging over the edge. This is the beak and gobbler (see image).
6. Glue the pom-pom to the top of the paper cup.
7. Glue the wiggle eyes and the beak and gobbler to the head.
8. Cut two feet from the orange construction paper and glue to the bottom of the cup.

Tips:

1. Instead of throwing away the paper that you use to protect your work surface from paint, add more color to it to make the feathers!
2. The feathers can be simplified by using a piece of brown, orange, or red construction paper.
3. Make these even more fancy by using actual feathers and by writing the name of your dinner guests on a piece of paper and gluing to the front of each turkey.