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    Home » Thanksgiving Recipes and Kids Crafts

    Modified: Nov 15, 2022 · Published: Oct 29, 2018 by Vicky · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

    Paper Plate Turkey Craft for Kids

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    Jump to Craft Jump to Video

    This Paper Plate Turkey Craft for Kids is fun and not too complicated, so older kids can do it with minimal parental help. After all, you've got a dinner to plan! Be sure to also check out our Turkey Suncatcher Craft and these Woven Paper Placemats.

    Jump to:
    • ⭐Why You'll Love This Craft
    • 🎨Supplies
    • 📋Step By Step Instructions
    • 📝Expert Tips
    • 🤷🏻‍♀️FAQs
    • 🦃Related Thanksgiving Crafts

    ⭐Why You'll Love This Craft

    • This paper plate turkey craft for kids makes a great Thanksgiving project. For another fun Thanksgiving activity, check out this Turkey Handprint Craft from Simple Everyday Mom. It even comes with a free template!
    • Keeps kids busy while you prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. They can also do these Free Thanksgiving Worksheets for Kids
    • Easy to make using basic supplies

    🎨Supplies

    • 1 paper plate
    • 1 coffee filter
    • Watercolor paints
    • Scissors
    • Glue
    • Googly eyes
    • Brown craft paint

    📋Step By Step Instructions

    STEP 1: To make this paper plate turkey craft for kids, you will want to start by cutting a paper plate in half.

    STEP 2: You will then paint that half of the paper plate with brown craft paint and set it aside to dry.

    painting a paper plate

    STEP 3: Now it's time to paint your coffee filter using your watercolor paint. Since the coffee filter absorbs a lot of the water and paint, you won't actually need a lot. Now is the time to get creative. Use whatever combination of colors you wish to make your turkey as colorful as possible.

    painting a coffee filter

    STEP 4: When you're done painting the coffee filter, set it aside to dry.

    painted coffee filter and watercolor paint and brush

    STEP 5: When your coffee filter is dry, cut it in half and glue it to the brown paper plate half that you painted earlier. You will want to leave some of the brown edge of the plate showing.

    Paper Plate Turkey Craft for Kids

    STEP 6: Use the other half of the paper plate that you previously cut to make a head for the turkey. You can do this by tracing a glass onto the paper plate and then cutting it out.

    glass on paper plate

    STEP 7: Paint the circle with brown craft paint and set it aside to dry.

    circle painted brown

    STEP 8: Cut out a small triangle beak and a wavy wattle using the remaining paper plate. Paint the triangle beak orange and the wattle red.

    white triangle in hand

    STEP 9: Once all the items are dry, it's time to assemble the turkey's face. Start by gluing the turkey head onto the center of the paper plate.

    turkey craft

    STEP 10: Next, glue on the beak and wattle.

    assembling a turkey craft

    STEP 11: Finally, it's time to add your googly eyes.

    Paper Plate Turkey Craft for Kids

    STEP 12: Now let your little gobbler dry completely.

    Paper Plate Turkey Craft for Kids

    We also had fun making this Doily Turkey from I Heart Crafty Things, which I encourage you to check out.

    Paper Plate Turkey

    📝Expert Tips

    Tip 1: Since the coffee filter absorbs a lot of the water and paint, you won't actually need a lot. 

    Tip 2: Use whatever combination of colors you wish to make your coffee filter as colorful as possible.

    🤷🏻‍♀️FAQs

    What can I do with this turkey craft?

    You can hang it up as is for a festive decoration, or add a name to it to make a fun place setting for your Thanksgiving table. 

    🦃Related Thanksgiving Crafts

    • Thanksgiving activities for kids pin
      Thanksgiving Activities For Kids
    • kids thanksgiving crafts pin
      Kids Thanksgiving Crafts
    • thanksgiving memory game printable
      Thanksgiving Memory Game Printable
    • thanksgiving printables
      Free Printable Thanksgiving Placemats

    🌟If you try this craft, leave a star rating below or a review in the comment section. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get my latest kids' crafts!

    Print
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    Paper Plate Turkey Craft for Kids

    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Active Time30 minutes mins
    Total Time35 minutes mins
    Author: Vicky

    Materials

    • 1 paper plate
    • 1 coffee filter
    • Watercolor paints
    • Scissors
    • Glue
    • Googly eyes
    • Brown craft paint

    Instructions

    • Cut a paper plate in half.
    • Paint that half of the paper plate with brown craft paint and set it aside to dry.
    • Paint the coffee filter using your watercolor paint. 
    • When you're done painting the coffee filter, set it aside to dry.
    • When your coffee filter is dry, cut it in half and glue it to the brown paper plate half that you painted earlier. You will want to leave some of the brown edge of the plate showing.
    • Use the other half of the paper plate that you previously cut to make a head for the turkey. You can do this by tracing a glass onto the paper plate and then cutting it out.
    • Paint the circle with brown craft paint and set it aside to dry.
    • Cut out a small triangle beak and a wavy wattle using the remaining paper plate. Paint the triangle beak orange and the wattle red.
    • Once all the items are dry, it's time to assemble the turkey's face. Start by gluing the turkey head onto the center of the paper plate.
    • Next, glue on the beak and wattle.
    • Finally, add the googly eyes.
    • Let the craft dry completely.

    Video

    Notes

    • Since the coffee filter absorbs a lot of the water and paint, you won't actually need a lot.
    • Use whatever combination of colors you wish to make your coffee filter as colorful as possible.

    More Thanksgiving Recipes and Kids Crafts

    • Thanksgiving Turkey Donuts
      Turkey Donuts
    • Pumpkins made with rice crispies orange food coloring green m&m and a Tootsie Roll
      Rice Krispie Pumpkins Recipe
    • free kindergarten worksheets for thanksgiving pin
      Free Kindergarten Worksheets for Thanksgiving
    • Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids: Pipe Cleaner Turkey

    Comments

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    1. Sapana V says

      November 01, 2018 at 6:23 am

      Great ideas...I would love to try them with my kids.

      Reply
    2. Mariah Klee says

      October 29, 2018 at 9:34 pm

      Looks like a super cute craft for the kids to work on while the adults work on dinner!

      Reply
    3. Emily Fata says

      October 29, 2018 at 10:50 am

      Oh my goodness, this is such an adorable, colourful craft! I wish I had seen this earlier (for the Canadian Thanksgiving). I'll have to do this one with my little cousins next year. 🙂

      Reply
    4. Marcie says

      October 29, 2018 at 10:45 am

      Oh fun! We just made a Thankful Turkey thing in preparation for Turkey Day, but this would be super cute! I love all the bright colors!

      Reply
    5. Mimi says

      October 29, 2018 at 10:37 am

      This is such a cute DIY Kids will love it

      Reply
    6. Paula @ I'm Busy Being Awesome says

      October 29, 2018 at 10:39 am

      What a creative idea, perfect for thanksgiving so fun and easy to do

      Reply
    Vicky from Mess for Less

    I'm Vicky, the founder of Mess For Less, which I started in 2011 to share easy, family-friendly recipes. With over a decade of experience as a home chef and recipe developer, I love creating meals that bring people together. I also design play and learning activities for kids, using my background as a former teacher with a Master’s degree in education. Learn more about me.

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