As I am not "crafty" at all, I am thankful that I can ask Shannon Hutton , of Seasonal Kids Activities for some ideas! Here's what she's doing for Thanksgiving!--Diana
Shannon: I think it’s important for kids to remember that Thanksgiving is not only about turkey and mashed potatoes, but is also a time to give thanks, like the Pilgrims did with the Native Americans so many years ago. That’s why I came up with the Grateful Turkey craft! This simple craft is not only a festive decoration, but a chance for kids to reflect on what they are grateful for in their lives.
How can a turkey craft get your kids to think about what they’re grateful for? Easy! On this turkey, your child gets to write one thing they are grateful for on each feather!
Here’s What You Need to Make the Grateful Turkey:
• Brown, orange, red, green, blue and yellow construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Crayons
Directions:
1. Cut a circle about 5 inches in diameter from brown construction paper for the turkey’s body. (I used a 28 oz. can of tomatoes and traced a circle.)
2. Cut a circle about 1 ½ inches in diameter from brown construction paper for the turkey’s head.
3. Cut a rectangle about 2 inches long and 1 inch wide from brown construction paper for the turkey’s neck.
4. Cut a small triangle from orange construction paper for the turkey’s beak.
5. Cut a smaller piece from red construction paper for the turkey’s wattle. (I cut a roundish piece, but I don’t think the shape has a proper name!)
6. Cut 2 three-inch legs for the turkey from orange construction paper.
7. Cut 6 six-inch feathers from green, blue and yellow construction paper. (I did two of each color.)
8. Glue the orange legs to the bottom of the large circle that is the turkey’s body.
9. Glue the turkey’s neck so the width end of the rectangle touches the bottom edge of the large circle.
10. Glue the small circle for the turkey’s head in the center of the large circle so it overlaps the top edge of the rectangle.
11. Glue the orange beak on the bottom edge of the small circle so the point of the triangle faces down.
12. Glue the red wattle to the side of the orange beak.
13. Use crayons to color two eyes on the turkey’s head.
14. Glue each feather around the upper edge of the turkey’s body.
15. Have your child write one thing they are grateful for on each feather. If your child cannot write yet, have them tell you what to write!
I have to admit the directions have lots of steps and that scared me--but then I read them and saw that even I can handle the simple cutting and gluing! I can't wait to see what fun things the kids think of! Let us know what yours are thankful for.