Turkey Paper Plate Craft (With Coffee Filter Feathers)

Get ready for some feathered fun with this adorable Turkey Paper Plate Craft made with coffee filters; it’s perfect for little hands. 

This easy Thanksgiving craft is fun for kids of all ages! All you need for this cute turkey craft are some simple supplies like paper plates, coffee filters and markers.  Whether you’re looking for a fun Thanksgiving craft or just looking for a creative way to celebrate fall, this is the perfect way for kids to get crafty and practice some fine motor skil along the way. Let’s dive in and make some turkey magic!

• Table Of Contents:
  • Materials
  • Instructions
  • Turkey Craft Template Download
  • Tips & Troubleshooting
  • Benefits of This Turkey Craft For Kids
  • Final Thoughts

Materials

• Paper plate
• Glue
• White coffee filters
• Scissors
• Construction paper (brown, yellow and orange)
• Colored Markers
• Water
• Paintbrush

Instructions

Step 1)

Print out and cut the template pieces for the head of the turkey. Trace them onto construction paper. You can use a large brown circle for the turkey’s head, yellow for the triangle beak and orange for the tear-drop-shaped turkey wattle. Keep the template pieces for the eyes white.

For younger kids, you may want to pre-cut template pieces to avoid frustration. 

Step 2)

Cut out the construction paper turkey pieces and glue them together then add black pupils to the turkey’s eyes with a marker.

Step 3)

Use markers to color streaks onto three coffee filters. You can place your coffee filters inside a paper plate to contain the markers so they don’t stain the table underneath.

Step 4)

Keep your coffee filters in the paper plate to act as a catch basin for water in this next step. Use a clean paintbrush and water to ‘paint’ the coffee filters and watch the color spread throughout the coffee filters. Let each coffee filter dry completely before doing the next step.

Step 5)

Fold each coffee filter two times then trim the tops into a feather shape with a curve at the tip. Don’t cut all the way through to the bottom so the feathers stay attached together.

Step 6)

Glue the coffee filters to the back of a brown paper plate and the turkey face to the bottom of the front of your paper plate.

For your turkey body, you can either buy the paper plates in this color from a dollar store or party supply store, or use white paper plates and paint them with brown craft paint.

Video Instructions

Prefer video instructions for your crafts? Check out the YouTube Channel for CraftyKidsPlay and watch the full video tutorial for this thanksgiving turkey paper plate craft here.

Turkey Craft Template Download

Download your free printable turkey template for this craft using the link below this next image. This turkey template is intended for personal use only or for classroom use, not for resale or commercial purposes. 

Tips & Troubleshooting

Wet Coffee Filters:

If your coffee filters take too long to dry, place them in front of a fan or use a hairdryer on a low setting. Avoid moving the filters too much while drying to prevent tearing.

Glue Tips:

If the coffee filters don’t adhere well to the plate, check if the glue is strong enough. Liquid glue usually works well, or try some double-sided tape for extra strength. 

Tip for Customization:

Encourage kids to personalize their turkeys with extra decorations like glitter, googly eyes, or fun patterns on the feathers.

Tips for Blending Colors:

Your kids can color on dry coffee filters and then use either a wet paintbrush or a water spray bottle to wet their colored coffee filter. Coffee filter crafts are a cool way to learn more about the color wheel and see what happens when colors blend. When your kids are ready to add water, make sure their colored coffee filters are inside a craft tray, and have some paper towels handy for drips.

Benefits of This Turkey Craft For Kids

Seasonal Learning:

This craft is a fun way to engage young children in seasonal learning, especially around Thanksgiving. It can be a starting point for conversations about turkeys, fall, and the traditions surrounding Thanksgiving. Incorporating thematic crafts like this one helps children connect with the season in a hands-on way while enhancing their understanding of cultural events.

Creativity:

The Turkey Paper Plate Craft gives kids a chance to express their creativity. They can mix and match colors on the coffee filters, customize their turkey’s appearance, and add personal touches with markers, stickers, or glitter. This open-ended activity encourages imaginative thinking and helps children develop their sense of individual style.

Fine Motor Skills:

This craft is perfect for developing fine motor skills. From cutting out the turkey pieces to carefully gluing the parts together, children of all ages can practice hand-eye coordination and precision. Coloring the coffee filters and using the paintbrush to spread water also help strengthen those small muscles in their hands and fingers, which are essential for writing and other daily tasks that younger children are still learning.

Final Thoughts

Making a coffee filter turkey craft is a great way to make kids feel included in the Thanksgiving fun. The best part is these cute turkeys can be a great addition to your home or classroom as colorful decorations!

Stick around Crafty Kids Play for more turkey crafts and other fun craft ideas for the holidays. Happy Crafting!