Hands-On Thanksgiving Fun

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

04 Nov 2009 06:26 AM

Who among us has never made a handprint turkey? Thanksgiving birds traced from tiny hands are a holiday staple in most people's homes. However, in recent years the traditional art project has advanced significantly. These days you can create elaborate turkeys from a single tracing.

Here's how:

DOTTED HANDPRINT TURKEY

Materials:

Sheets of brown construction paper

Sheets of yellow, green, blue, red or orange construction paper for the background

Craft paint (black, orange, red, gold, white, yellow, brown, green, etc.)

Cotton swabs or fine-tip paintbrushes

Scissors

Glue

Googly eyes

Directions:

Set out the paint.

Have your child trace his hand on the brown construction paper.

Cut out the handprint and glue it onto another sheet of construction paper, so that it appears that the turkey is standing in front of a colored background.

Use a fine-tip paintbrush or a cotton swab to add colorful dots on the turkey feathers and feet.

Begin by using the black paint to create dotted feet, then use the remaining paint to add dots on the turkey feathers. Next, paint on a turkey beak and wattle.

When the paint is dry, glue on the googly eyes.

HANDS AND FEET TURKEY

Materials:

Sheets of brown construction paper

Sheets of black, orange, red, yellow, green and white construction paper

Scissors

Glue

Googly eyes

Directions:

Have your child trace his hand on the colored (black, orange, red, yellow, green and white) construction paper--your child's fingers will be the turkey's feathers. Make sure you have at least six to eight different colored feathers.

Cut out the handprints.

To make the turkey's body, trace your child's feet (shoes on) on the brown construction paper.

Cut out the footprints.

Glue the two feet together, spreading them slightly apart at the bottom, to create the turkey's body.

Glue the "tail feathers" together overlapping them, so they look like real turkey feathers.

Glue the feathers to the turkey body.

Glue on googly eyes.

Draw and cut out a turkey beak, wattle and some feet from the remaining construction paper.

Glue on the beak, wattle and feet to turkey.

Wait until glue dries thoroughly before displaying.

Related Articles:

Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Art Projects

Homemade Thanksgiving Decorations Courtesy of Mother Nature

Fun Ways to Keep Your Kids Entertained on Thanksgiving

Keeping Kids Busy on Thanksgiving

More Easy Thanksgiving Pumpkin Crafts

Thoughtful Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Crafts for Kids

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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