How to Color a Turkey Picture

Coloring is a fun and creative activity for kids of all ages. When the fall season arrives, coloring pictures of turkeys is especially enjoyable. From simple outline drawings to detailed realistic illustrations, there are many different ways to color a turkey picture. Follow these tips to help your child have fun coloring turkey images and make their own unique autumn artwork.

Choosing a Turkey Coloring Page

First select an appropriate turkey coloring sheet for your child’s age and skill level

• Preschoolers – Simple basic shapes with thick outlines work best. Avoid detailed designs.

• Ages 5-7 – Look for larger pictures with some detail to color inside the lines

• Older kids – Intricate, realistic images or zentangle-style turkeys provide a challenge.

Pick turkeys in different poses – standing, sitting, eating, talking, dancing, etc. Holiday themes, costumes, objects, and backgrounds add interest too. Offer a variety of options to color and switch it up!

Setting Up the Coloring Area

Gather these supplies to create a fun turkey coloring station:

• Crayons, colored pencils, markers, or gel pens
• Printed turkey coloring pages
• Coloring books, scratch paper, envelopes
• Clipboards or hard surfaces to color on
• Paper towels, wipes, or wet cloth to clean hands
• Stickers, stamps, glitter, or other embellishments

Make sure the area is well-lit and comfortable. Cover tables with an old sheet or newspapers to catch stray marks and spills. Some kids like coloring while sitting on the floor too. Keep supplies organized and within reach.

Techniques for Coloring Turkeys

Demonstrate and encourage proper coloring techniques:

• Hold crayons and pencils correctly for best control.

• Apply crayon lightly for faint colors; press harder for brighter tones.

• Work from top to bottom to avoid smearing.

• Add depth by layering darker shades of colors on top of lighter ones.

• Stay inside the lines as much as possible for preschoolers.

• Try shading with colored pencils or blending with markers for texture.

• Switch direction for short, feather-like strokes. Use zig-zags or wavy lines.

• Leave some white space for highlights.

Choosing Colors for Turkeys

The colors kids choose are totally up to their own creativity and imagination. But here are some color suggestions:

Turkey Body

• Tans, browns, peach, beige, cream

• Olive green, navy blue, maroon, dark gray

• Black for outline

Feathers

• Browns, oranges, yellows, reds

• Blues, greens, purples, pinks

• Rainbow colors

• Alternate shades on different feathers

Turkey Wattle

• Red, orange, pink

• Purple, blue

Feet and Beak

• Orange, yellow, peach

• Pink, red, black

• White and brown patterns

Eyes

• Black dot for pupil

• Orange, green, purple, blue irises

• White circles for highlight

• Brown circles for male turkeys

Background

• Fall trees with red, orange, yellow leaves

• Green grass, brown dirt

• Barn, fence, bales of hay

• Thanksgiving table scene

Creative Turkey Coloring Ideas

Inspire kids to make each turkey picture unique with fun coloring ideas like these:

• Add accessories – hats, scarves, jewelry, bowties

• Color it like a storybook character

• Disguise it as another animal or object

• Give it a crazy hairstyle

• Design patterned feathers

• Use glitter, sequins, or puffy paints

• Turn it into a cartoon character

• Color upside down or with eyes closed!

Finishing Touches

Add some extra flair and pizzazz to complete the artwork:

• Outline in black marker for emphasis

• Name or date the picture on the back

• Tape onto colored construction paper

• Sprinkle glitter glue for sparkle

• Add stickers, wiggly eyes, pompoms

• Stamp patterns for background

• Laminate to preserve it

• Frame or display it proudly!

More Coloring Fun

Keep kids entertained with even more coloring activities:

• Host a turkey coloring party or contest

• Make placemats or cards for Thanksgiving

• Design turkey masks or stick puppets

• Color while listening to music, books on tape

• Take turkey coloring pages to restaurants, travel

• Create a turkey coloring book

• Arrange colored turkey drawings into a banner collage

Benefits of Coloring Turkeys

Coloring turkey pictures has all kinds of benefits for children:

• Promotes creativity, imagination and individuality

• Helps practice following instructions and attention to detail

• Improves focus, concentration and hand-eye coordination

• Teaches color mixing, blending, shading techniques

• Allows self-expression without right or wrong

• Builds confidence and sense of achievement

• Helps kids relax, have fun and reduce stress!

Troubleshooting Turkey Coloring Issues

If kids get frustrated, impatient or discouraged while coloring turkeys, try these tips:

• Take breaks for snacks, games or movement.

• Work together – you color one side, they color the other.

• Trace shapes lightly in pencil first to guide them.

• Display their artwork proudly regardless of neatness.

• Remind them that practice makes perfect.

• Focus on enjoying the process, not the end product.

• Do an example together to demonstrate techniques.

• Introduce coloring books, crayons and markers gradually.

• Give frequent, positive reinforcement and encouragement.

• Remind them that effort is more important than perfection.

• Let them color however they wish – inside or outside the lines.

Let Creativity Gobble and Soar!

Coloring turkey pictures allows kids to express themselves, experiment with color mixing, and explore their creative side. Use these tips to prepare fun turkey coloring stations, teach good techniques, suggest color schemes, add embellishments and take it further with related activities. Coloring turkeys also builds skills and reduces stress for children. With the right approach, you’ll see their imaginations gobble and soar!