Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Paper Bag Craft for Kids
Paper Bag Turkey Craft for Kids
Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together and celebrate gratitude, and what better way for kids to get into the festive spirit than with a fun and easy craft project? The paper bag turkey is one of our favorite Thanksgiving crafts that children can create with minimal supervision. Not only does this craft help kids develop fine motor skills, but it also provides an excellent opportunity to teach them about the meaning of Thanksgiving. Whether in a classroom setting or at home, this paper bag turkey craft can be a creative and engaging way for children to express their holiday cheer.
Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Paper Bag Craft for Kids
Crafts like the paper bag turkey are perfect for engaging young minds because they blend creativity with learning. As children carefully glue on the body parts or add the turkey’s face, they are not only honing their artistic abilities but also learning about the significance of Thanksgiving traditions. This Turkey paper bag puppet / activity is simple enough for toddlers and preschoolers, yet still enjoyable for older children, making it a versatile project for a wide range of ages. Additionally, these paper bag turkeys can be repurposed as charming place settings at the kids’ table for Thanksgiving decoration at dinner or as festive additions for classroom parties, adding a personal touch to any celebration.
Materials Needed for Brown Paper Bag Turkey Craft
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Brown paper lunch bag(s)
Red Construction paper
Orange construction paper
Yellow construction paper
Googly eyes
Glue stick / If you are using this for decor or want them to last a bit longer, can opt for a hot glue gun as well.
Scissors
Markers or crayons
Feathers (optional)
Tape or stapler
This is such a great Thanksgiving activity and I love that they are done with inexpensive craft supplies. This simple craft is so much fun and perfect for groups and families of various sizes because of its low cost.
Easy Step-by-step Directions for this Thanksgiving Turkey Craft:
Cut the turkey template and trace it to a red and orange paper and cut it again.
2. Attach the feet at the bottom of the paper bag.
3. Add the beak at the top of the turkey's body.
4. Make the turkey's eyes by cutting two small circles from the white and black paper and make sure the black is smaller than the white.
5. Attach them together then attach them to the paper bag.
6. Prepare a rectangle shape paper, three colors then fold them into accordion style.
7. Repeat this process until you have three colors then attach them together.
8. Lastly, attach the paper bag on top of the accordion paper to complete this turkey body and cute turkey craft.
Incorporating into Lessons
Teachers and parents can use the paper bag turkey craft to enhance lessons about Thanksgiving traditions and history. For younger children, this craft can be paired with a simple story about the first Thanksgiving, helping to introduce them to the holiday's origins through Thanksgiving books. It can also be a way to teach about gratitude, with children writing things they are thankful for on each of the paper feathers before attaching them to their turkeys. For older students, the project can be expanded into a discussion about cultural traditions, the significance of the turkey in American Thanksgiving celebrations, or even a lesson in sustainability by discussing the importance of using recycled materials for crafts.
Ideas for Using Paper Bag Turkey Craft:
Creating a Thanksgiving paper bag puppet can lead to a variety of fun and educational activities for kids. Here are some engaging play ideas and activities that can be done with these puppets that can become favorite Thanksgiving traditions at home or in the classroom.
1. Thanksgiving Puppet Show
Have the kids create a short Thanksgiving-themed story or play using their paper bag puppets. They can act out the story with their puppets, incorporating elements like Pilgrims, Native Americans, and turkeys. This encourages storytelling, creativity, and teamwork.
2. Gratitude Circle
Gather the children in a circle with their puppets. Each child can use their puppet to "speak" about something they are thankful for. This activity promotes gratitude and helps kids express their feelings in a fun, imaginative way.
3. Turkey Parade
Organize a "turkey parade" where the kids walk around showing off their puppet creations. You can play festive music and let the children wave their puppets like parade floats. This adds an element of fun and celebration to the crafting activity.
4. Thanksgiving Storytime
Use the puppets during a Thanksgiving-themed storytime. The puppets can act out parts of a story as you read aloud. This interactive approach makes storytime more engaging and helps children better understand the narrative.
5. Character Conversations
Pair up the kids and have their puppets engage in a conversation. The puppets can talk about what they're going to eat for Thanksgiving dinner or what they're thankful for. This helps children practice social skills and develop their ability to communicate.
6. Turkey Toss Game
Create a simple game where the kids toss small soft items (like bean bags or crumpled paper) into a basket held by their turkey puppet. This activity is great for improving hand-eye coordination and can be a fun, energetic break.
7. Thanksgiving Puppet Photo Booth
Set up a "photo booth" area where kids can take pictures with their turkey puppets. Provide Thanksgiving-themed props and a backdrop for a festive photo session. The photos can be shared with family or used to create a Thanksgiving scrapbook.
8. Turkey Hide and Seek
Hide the paper bag puppets around the room and have the kids search for them, like a scavenger hunt. When they find a puppet, they can perform a short Thanksgiving rhyme or song. This activity adds an element of excitement and adventure to the day.
9. Puppet Dance Party
Play some upbeat music and let the kids have a dance party with their puppets. The puppets can dance along with the kids, helping them burn off some energy while having fun.
10. Thanksgiving Conversation Starter
Use the puppets as conversation starters at the Thanksgiving kids’ table. Each child can have their puppet ask a fun Thanksgiving question or share a Thanksgiving fact. This makes the mealtime more interactive and entertaining for the kids.
Paper bag crafts are a fantastic way to engage kids in creative activities that are both fun and educational. These crafts are simple to make, requiring only a few basic materials that are often readily available at home or in the classroom. Paper bag crafts, such as making puppets, animals, or seasonal decorations like turkeys, allow children to use their imagination and express their creativity.
Kids can make these crafts during school art projects, as part of a holiday-themed activity, or simply as a rainy-day project at home. They are also great fun at group activities at birthday parties or during playdates, where kids can work together and share ideas. The versatility of paper bag crafts makes them suitable for any time of year, whether it’s creating a spring garden of paper flowers or making spooky Halloween characters. These crafts are perfect for keeping little hands busy while also teaching important skills like cutting, gluing, and following instructions.
The paper bag turkey craft is more than just a fun activity; it’s an educational tool that can be tailored to various age groups and learning objectives. This simple project offers a hands-on way for kids to connect with the Thanksgiving holiday, sparking creativity and learning in the process. Whether as a classroom activity or a family project at home, making a paper bag turkey is sure to become a cherished Thanksgiving tradition.
Beyond its educational value, this craft also brings an element of joy and creativity to the holiday season. As children proudly display their handmade turkeys, they’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and connection to the Thanksgiving festivities. Using these turkeys as place settings at the kids' table or as decorations for classroom parties adds a festive and personal touch to any celebration. Not only do they brighten up the space, but they also give children a sense of ownership in the holiday preparations, making Thanksgiving even more special and memorable for them. Happy Thanksgiving!
