Looking for the perfect craft to celebrate Thanksgiving and help your kids practice their fine motor skills? This fun handprint turkey lacing craft is easy to set up, fun to make, and results in an adorable keepsake that your family can cherish for years to come.
Fun Thanksgiving crafts are a great way to spark creativity, encourage family bonding, and create lasting holiday memories. Let’s get started!
- Table Of Contents:
Materials
- Paper plates
- Construction paper
- Orange yarn
- Single hole puncher
- White and brown paint
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Glue
Instructions
Step 1)
Paint a paper plate brown. You can mix brown and white together for a lighter color if you’d like.
Step 2)
Cut out the template pieces and trace them onto colored construction paper.
Step 3)
Cut out the colored construction paper pieces and glue them together to make the turkey’s head. The large brown circle is the head, the yellow triangles are the beak, the white and black circles pair together to make the eyes, and the wattle should be pink construction paper.
Step 4)
Use a single hole punch and punch holes around the perimeter of the plate. If you’re working with a large number of kids instead of one-on-one at home, you may want to start with this step first or prep the plates ahead of time.
Allow kids to thread yarn through the holes as a lacing activity. If you get the yarn started for them and add a piece of tape to the tip of the yarn, it will make threading the yarn through the holes easier.
Step 5)
Trace your child’s handprint onto construction paper in lots of fun Thanksgiving colors like red, orange, and yellow to make the turkey’s tail feathers – then cut them out.
Step 6)
Glue the handprints to the back of the paper plate and the turkey’s head to the front near the bottom to finish off your completed craft!
Video Instructions
Prefer video instructions for your crafts? Check out the YouTube Channel from Crafty Kids Play and watch the full tutorial for this turkey handprint lacing craft here.
Template Download
You can print the template for this craft on regular white printer paper. If your children are very young and have a hard time cutting out the little details, you may want to cut out the template pieces with or for them. Young kids should be supervised by an adult during craft time, especially while handling safety scissors.
This template is only for you to use, not for resale or commercial use; if you want to share this template with a friend, please send them the link to this article instead of sharing the template directly.
Tips & Tricks
Mix & Match Colors:
Encourage kids to choose their favorite fall colors for the handprint feathers. Let them experiment with mixing different shades of paint for the turkey’s body. If you give them both white and brown, they can play with light and dark shades of brown.
Yarn Lacing Made Easy:
If threading yarn through the holes becomes tricky, try wrapping a small piece of tape around the end of the yarn to create a firm tip. It’s like turning the yarn into a shoelace!
Personalize Your Turkey:
Add a fun twist by letting kids decorate their turkey’s face with googly eyes, or draw on silly expressions. A great way to get a sparkly effect is to sprinkle a little glitter on the feathers.
Pre-Punch for Young Kids:
If you’re crafting with very young children, punch the holes in the plates ahead of time. This will make the lacing step smoother and more enjoyable for them. Older kids should be able to use a single hole punch on thin paper plates or they may need a little help if the plates are thick and sturdy.
Handprint Keepsakes:
Write the child’s name and the date on one of the handprint feathers. It’s a great craft to remember just how small those little hands were each Thanksgiving.
Glue Stick for Precision:
When gluing on the small pieces like the beak and eyes, a glue stick can give more control and reduce the mess. This is especially handy for tiny fingers working on small details!
Benefits of This Turkey Craft For Kids
Fine Motor Skill Development:
Cutting out the handprints, threading the yarn, and gluing the pieces together all help kids strengthen their fine motor skills while they work on this fun craft. These activities enhance hand-eye coordination and dexterity, which are important for everyday tasks like writing and buttoning clothes.
Creativity and Self-Expression:
This craft allows kids to express themselves through color choices, decorating their paper plate turkey, and even adding personal touches like silly faces or extra feathers. It encourages them to think creatively and make decisions about how they want their turkey to look.
Following Instructions:
Completing this easy turkey craft involves following a sequence of steps, which helps kids practice their ability to listen, understand, and execute instructions. This skill is crucial for learning new tasks and succeeding in school.
Patience and Focus:
Crafting requires younger kids to take their time and focus on the task at hand, from carefully cutting out shapes to threading the yarn. This patience and concentration can translate into better focus during other activities, such as reading or doing homework.
Holiday Connection and Tradition:
Engaging in a Thanksgiving-themed craft helps kids connect with the holiday and understand its traditions. It also provides a special memory that can become a yearly activity, fostering a sense of family tradition and togetherness. Simple craft projects are a fun way to enjoy the fall season.
Final Thoughts
I hope your kids love this easy craft! Making some goofy turkeys with colorful feathers is a fun Thanksgiving activity that can help younger children feel more involved in the festivities. You can try this fun activity at home with just some simple supplies and create your own colorful craft.
Stick around Crafty Kids Play for more fun paper plate crafts and the best ideas to have fun with kids of all ages!
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