Thanksgiving Thankful Turkey Printable for Kids
This Thanksgiving thankful turkey printable is a great way for kids to do a fun craft while expressing thanks for the blessings of life.
What is a Thankful Turkey?
A thankful turkey is a simple way for kids to express gratitude for the things they’re thankful for. It’s a fun and memorable craft that will help remind them of what the season of Thanksgiving is all about.
This activity consists of a turkey body and then individual turkey feathers. As they make their thanksgiving thankful turkey, they’ll add the things they’re thankful for to each of the turkey’s feathers. Then they can stick the feathers on the turkey. If you display the finished turkey, you can go over their gratitude list in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
How to Make a Thankful Turkey Craft?
There are several different ways to make your Thanksgiving thankful turkey. You can either make your own, using construction paper (or use plain white copy paper and have your kids paint or color the paper after writing what they’re thankful for on each leaf).
- To make a thankful turkey, draw a turkey body shape out on paper and cut it out.
- Then draw and cut out turkey feather shapes.
- Write something you’re thankful for on each feather.
- Glue the feathers onto the turkey body.
- Decorate the turkey with eyes and a beak shape, using glue to hold on the eyes and beak.
- You could also get even more creative and add glitter or real feathers!
Or, you can use the thankful turkey craft printables in this blog post (the link to download the printables is at the bottom of this post).
Thanksgiving Thankful Turkey Printable for Kids
Thanksgiving is such a joyous holiday season. It’s true that some other holidays include an emphasis on family get-togethers, but Thanksgiving is unique.
The Thanksgiving season is different in setting aside a day calling us to be grateful to God.
When many people think of Thanksgiving, a big Thanksgiving dinner table piled high with turkey, pumpkin pie, and stuffing comes to mind.
And sharing a festive meal with family members is truly an important part of the day.
But are there ways to help kids stay focused on the true meaning of Thanksgiving? I believe that there are!
I’ve put together this free printable download of thankful turkey Thanksgiving printables for just that reason—to help kids think about and write down some of the things for which they are thankful.
Having gratitude activities for kids is a wonderful way to encourage an attitude of thankfulness in their daily lives.
This cute Thanksgiving craft is a fun way for younger children to practice fine motor skills.
But older children—and really kids and adults of all ages—need regular encouragement to find ways to express their gratitude.
I believe both younger kids and older kids will have a great time with these three thankful turkey free printables.
Coloring and personalizing the turkey’s body is the perfect activity for use at home or school in preparation for Thanksgiving Day.
The download link for these printables is found at the bottom of the post.
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Full Color Thankful Turkey Printable
I’ve put together three different options from which to choose a free printable turkey template.
Each of these adorable turkeys is designed to be an easy activity for use at home or in a school classroom.
The first Thanksgiving thankful turkey printable in the digital file download is a full color one.
I just love the fall-themed different colors of the turkey’s feathers, and its little thankful turkey hat!
To use this turkey, you would print it off on regular paper or white cardstock, which is more durable.
Each child then writes down things for which they are thankful on each of the turkey feathers.
I would probably use something like a washable marker for writing on the feathers.
There are seven feathers on this turkey. But the one in the middle is smaller and so it may be hard for kids such as kindergarten students to write on this particular spot.
If kids need prompting on things for which to give thanks, the potential list is really long: family (including specific family members), friends, food, clothing, education, living in a free and prosperous country, and so much more.
Black and White Thankful Turkey Template
The next fun thankful turkey craft printable is a black and white one.
The outline of this turkey is just like the full-color one. But since it has no color, kids can use this fun coloring page as an easy Thanksgiving turkey craft using crayons or washable markers.
They sky is the limit in regards to how each child wants to decorate their turkey! Encourage creativity with this fun activity.
Adding sparkly glitter or googly eyes would be a great idea to personalize the turkey.
Kids could also add different things such as pumpkins or fall leaves around or below the turkey. These Thanksgiving-related objects could be hand drawn and colored in, or cut out of colored construction paper and then glued onto the paper.
This is a simple craft that’s perfect for a home or classroom project!
Once the turkey is colored, kids would then write down on the feathers the things for which they are thankful (just like with the full-color turkey).
More Thanksgiving Inspiration:
45 Fall Trivia Questions and Answers (For Kids and Adults)
Thanksgiving Potluck List Printable Sign-Up Sheet (Free)
Thanksgiving Thankful Cards Printable
Pottery Barn Inspired Thankful Tree
Free Turkey Template with Cut-Out Feathers
The last (but definitely not least!) of the thankful turkey printables is perfect as an easy Thanksgiving craft for kids.
This printable includes two pages. The first page is a cute turkey body that can be cut out and then colored and decorated.
The second page has six large feathers. For this page, the child first cuts out each of the feathers, then attaches the feathers to the back body of the turkey (three feathers on each side).
I think using glue sticks would be the way easiest way for most kids to attach the feathers.
You could also use white card stock to make the turkey and wings more durable and less likely to rip.
I would recommend writing on the feathers first, then coloring on or around the words. Otherwise, trying to write on top of a colored feather could be a challenge that might frustrate kids.
Kids will have a lot of fun decorating this simple Thanksgiving craft printable page!
How to Download Thanksgiving Thankful Turkey Printable
These free Thanksgiving printables are designed to be an easy craft and the perfect way for kids to express gratitude for the blessings of life.
Please note that this downloadable digital printable file is for personal use at home or classroom use only.
Go here to download the pdf file printable resource.
Whether you use this for a 1st grade or 2nd grade school class, or as a great homeschool activity, this could become a fun tradition to help kids show thankfulness.
How Can I Make Thanksgiving More Special?
This Thanksgiving thankful turkey craft is just one way to make Thanksgiving more special. Other ways would be:
- Create a thankful tree
- Use these printable Thanksgiving gratitude cards (I like to set one at each place setting on the Thanksgiving table)
- Set the table with special dishes, cloth napkins and candles
- Take a family photo with the whole family to commemorate the day
- Pray a blessing over each family member or friend who is present
