Turkey Handprint Craft for Kids

Handprint crafts are always a fun way to turn a simple art activity into something a little more personal.

For this turkey handprint craft, colorful painted handprints of your kids become the turkey’s big feathered tail, while a few simple paper pieces complete the body and face.

This is a great and easy Thanksgiving craft for kids, especially for preschoolers and kindergarteners who enjoy painting and getting a little messy.

The overlapping handprints make each turkey look different, and kids can choose their own combination of colors for the feathers.

It also makes a sweet seasonal keepsake, since the child’s handprints become part of the finished artwork.

So, shall we make a colorful handprint turkey?

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What You’ll Need:

White paper
Red paint
Green paint
Orange paint
Yellow paint
Brown construction paper
Yellow or orange construction paper
Googly eyes
Scissors
Glue
Paintbrush
Pencil

How to Make a Turkey Handprint Craft

Step 1: Make the first handprint

Start by placing a sheet of white paper on a flat surface.

Use a paintbrush to cover one hand of your child with red paint, making sure the palm and fingers are evenly coated.

Carefully press the painted hand onto the white paper, keeping the fingers spread out. Press gently so the whole handprint transfers onto the page, then slowly lift the hand away.

This first handprint will become part of the turkey’s colorful tail feathers.

Step 2: Add another handprint

Next, paint the other hand with green paint and press it onto the paper beside the red handprint.

Let the second handprint overlap slightly so the fingers begin to spread out like a fan of feathers.

Lift the hand carefully and allow the print to settle.

Step 3: Add more colorful handprints

Continue making handprints using different colors such as orange and yellow.

Arrange them around the center so the fingers spread outward in different directions. Slightly overlapping the prints will help create a fuller turkey tail.

You can follow the same color arrangement shown here or let the kids choose their own combination.

Step 4: Let the handprints dry

Once all the handprints are finished, leave the paper aside until the paint is completely dry.

The finished group of prints should look like a large, colorful fan, which will become the turkey’s feathers.

While the paint dries, you can prepare the paper pieces for the body.

Step 5: Make the turkey body

Take a sheet of brown construction paper and draw a simple rounded turkey body shape, with a wider bottom and a slightly narrower top.

Carefully cut it out using scissors.

Once the handprints are dry, place the brown body in the center of the painted feathers and glue it down securely.

Step 6: Add the googly eyes and beak

Now it’s time to give the turkey a face.

Glue two goggly eyes near the top of the brown body.

Next, cut a small triangle from yellow or orange construction paper and glue it underneath the eyes to make the beak.

These simple details are enough to bring the turkey’s face to life.

Step 7: Add the feet

Cut out two small feet from yellow or orange construction paper.

You can give each foot a few little toes to make them look more like turkey feet.

Glue them underneath the brown body, one on each side, and press gently so they stay in place.

Step 8: Finish the turkey

Check that all the paper pieces are securely glued and leave the craft to dry completely.

Your handprint turkey craft is now finished!

Ways to use this craft:

Create a keepsake Thanksgiving craft that parents and grandparents can treasure for years to come. You can write Thanksgiving wishes on the side of the paper with the child’s name.
Use the turkey handprint craft as a fun Thanksgiving activity for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and elementary-aged children.
Turn the finished handprint turkey into a personalized Thanksgiving card for family members and friends.
Add the craft to a Thanksgiving lesson plan to teach children about gratitude, family traditions, and the holiday season.
Write things children are thankful for around the handprint turkey to create a meaningful gratitude activity.
Display the completed craft on the refrigerator, bulletin board, or family gratitude wall as festive Thanksgiving décor.
Include the turkey handprint craft in a homeschool Thanksgiving unit study to combine art, fine motor skills, and holiday learning.
Create a yearly collection of handprint turkeys to see how much your child’s hand has grown over time.

Final Words

This turkey handprint craft for kids is a simple Thanksgiving activity with a lovely personal touch. Because the feathers are made from real handprints, every turkey turns out a little different.

You can experiment with different paint colors, add more handprints for an extra-full tail, or let each child create their own unique turkey design.

It’s a fun project for Thanksgiving week, a classroom activity, or a seasonal craft at home. You could even write the child’s name and year on the back and keep it as a little handprint keepsake.

Hope you enjoy making this colorful Thanksgiving turkey, and let us know how it went in the comments below.

Happy crafting!