The number of guests at the Thanksgiving table will determine how quickly this project can be completed. Younger children may scribble-color quickly, covering the paper that an adult or an older child will then transform into a turkey. Preschoolers and kindergarteners will be more interested in adding the details that will turn the shape into a turkey, but may get bored.
If there will be a large number of guests at dinner, make a few turkeys each day to keep young children interested.
Make a Traced Hand Turkey
Have the child sit at a table and place her hand on a piece of lightweight cardboard. The child should spread her fingers apart and move her thumb slightly away from the fingers. Trace around the fingers and thumb and cut out the cardboard to create a template of the side view of a turkey.
Trace the template onto cardstock. Make as many shapes as there will be dinner guests. Because the shape is delicate, avoid cutting them out until after they are decorated. Have the child color each turkey. Depending on the age of the child, have them create additional feathers between the fingers, draw a wing on the side, and add legs and feet. Add a beak and an eye to the thumb. Color a dangling red wattle from beneath the beak.
The parent of a young child may find it easier to have the child color the body of the turkey and then go back and add the details. Cut out the shape around the outline of the hand and added details. If using these as place cards, write the individual names on the turkey.
Make a Simple Napkin Ring With Children
Cut a cardboard tube from toilet paper or towel paper into 1-1/2” or 2” pieces. Pour brown paint onto a paper plate. Cut a rectangular sponge into four pieces. Show the children how to hold the cardboard ring around the fingers of one hand and dip one section of sponge into the paint with the other hand. Dab the sponge all around the cardboard ring. Paint all of the rings.
It isn’t necessary to cover all of the cardboard. Some of the cardboard can show through. The sponge painting will represent the leaves the turkey is standing on. For an additional leafy layer, cover the rings with orange paint first, allow to dry, and then paint with the brown.
When the paint dries, use hot glue to attach the turkey to the ring. Fold a napkin in half and accordion pleat the material. Slide the napkin into the turkey napkin ring and set on each plate. Children may have fun learning other ways to fold napkins as well.
Even the youngest child can help create a decoration for the Thanksgiving table that can become a memento for relatives. The child can decorate a tracing of his hand and then the child or the adult can add details to the turkey. Glue onto a sponge-painted napkin ring and the table is set.
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