Creating a Festive Handprint Turkey Craft for Kids

Handprint turkey crafts are a fun Thanksgiving tradition that allow kids to express their creativity while making an adorable decoration Tracing a child’s handprint and transforming it into a colorful turkey is easy to do with just a few supplies These kid-friendly hand turkeys can be created in so many unique ways.

Supplies Needed

To make handprint turkeys you’ll need

• Paper – White, colored, construction, cardstock.

• Paint – Tempera paint, acrylic paint, washable fingerpaint.

• Markers or crayons

• Glue, tape

• Googly eyes, pom poms, feathers (optional)

Steps to Create a Handprint Turkey

Follow these simple steps:

1. Trace the handprint. Have child place hand on paper, fingers spread apart. Trace around hand with pencil.

2. Draw in turkey features. Add eyes, beak, wattle, and feet with markers.

3. Paint or color the feathers. Use fingerprints, paintbrush, markers.

4. Decorate (optional). Add googly eyes, pom pom snood, feathers.

5. Display your turkey art!

Handprint Turkey Craft Ideas

There are many creative ways to make handprint turkeys unique:

• Finger paint turkeys – Use fingerpaints to color the feathers.

• Watercolor turkey – Use liquid watercolors and a brush.

• Print turkeys – Stamp or sponge paint the feathers.

• Collage turkeys – Glue on feathers, sequins, foils.

• Texture turkeys – Use modeling clay, fabric, cotton balls.

• Decoupage turkeys – Decorate with cut outs from magazines, calendars.

• Mixed media turkeys – Incorporate various art materials.

Alternative Ideas and Methods

• Use footprints for the body and tail feathers.

• Incorporate both hand and footprints.

• Make life-size turkeys on large paper or poster board.

• Create turkeys with cut-out construction paper hands.

• Trace around hands and arms for large turkeys.

• Print a template online to trace around hand.

• Craft turkeys from salt dough using hand imprints.

• Make thumbprint turkeys using just a inked thumb.

Displaying Handprint Turkeys

• Frame hand turkeys or laminate to preserve.

• Hang turkeys as art in the classroom or at home.

• Use them as table centerpieces or placecards.

• Give handprint turkeys as gifts – cards, magnets, ornaments.

• Send turkeys to family or friends in the mail.

• Craft turkeys into garlands or banners to decorate.

Handprint Turkey Crafts with Additional Elements

Incorporate other materials for more elaborate turkey projects:

• Tracing around child’s photo for the turkey’s body

• Using real or faux leaves for feathers

• Adding popsicle sticks for feet or wings

• Attaching a pom pom “snood” hanging from beak

• Using wiggle eyes, felt, foam for features

• Incorporating glitter, sequins, beads, buttons

• Adding fabric scraps for clothing or accessories

• Using pinecones, acorns, nuts for the wattle

Making Turkey Puppets and Decorations

Handprint turkeys can become puppets, masks, hats, and other decorative items:

• Glue hand turkeys to popsicle sticks for puppets.

• Attach turkeys to headbands or hats to wear.

• Make turkey finger puppets with traced fingers.

• Create turkey masks by adding string or elastic.

• Craft a turkey garland by stringing turkeys together.

• Make turkey ornaments by gluing to cardboard and adding string.

Additional Tips

• Use white and brown paint for classic turkeys, or any colors you like!

• Start with traced outline, then have kids color in details.

• Demonstrate how to trace hands before starting.

• Guide younger kids during painting or gluing.

• Use smocks or old shirts to keep clothes paint-free.

• Insert a popsicle stick in the bottom to use as a puppet.

• Store paints and supplies ready to go in a craft bin.

Benefits of Handprint Turkey Crafts

Handprint turkeys are a fun Thanksgiving craft with many benefits for kids:

• Promotes creativity and individual expression.

• Practices fine motor skills through tracing, cutting, gluing.

• Teaches about shapes, colors, and animal characteristics.

• Encourages following step-by-step instructions.

• Allows collaborative crafts through taking turns.

• Builds sense of pride in creating artwork.

• Provides opportunity for process art exploration.

• Makes unique keepsake artwork and decorations.

Celebrate Thanksgiving by having kids make festive handprint turkeys. With just paint, paper and a few simple supplies, they can let their creativity soar while producing adorable turkey art to display. Follow the basic hand tracing method, then get creative embellishing the turkeys with unique personalized touches. Handprint turkeys make perfect holiday decor, gifts and keepsakes for the whole family to treasure.