I am a sucker for kid art, so it is a no-brainer that I want to incorporate some kid-crafted hand watercolor turkey place settings into the tablescape. But if Martha Stewart is your vibe, save these turkeys for the kids’ Thanksgiving table or the dessert bar. Regardless of how you use this adorable Thanksgiving craft, your child will enjoy making them. (Even if it is just for fun.)
RELATED: Like Thanksgiving crafts? These 25 turkey crafts are the sweetest ideas you’ve ever seen.
Art prompts spark creativity
Somewhere between putting away the skeletons to decorating the tree, turkeys take the spotlight. And for good reason! They make a super fun craft for kids and are also doable for busy parents—the winning combination.
I chose this Thanksgiving craft on a stay-at-home Sunday when we were all hanging out and could use an easy art idea. You can try this idea on the weekend, as a Breakfast Invitation, and even an after-school offering. Now that my kids are a little older, I like to have an optional idea ready to go.
What I didn’t expect is that this sent my Kindergartener into a painting frenzy! He painted for the entire day. Setting up easy, low-prep activities for kids can go a long way toward more independent play.
The classic turkey handprint
For this watercolor turkey place setting, I went with the classic hand turkey. It is super simple to draw, and I knew my kids had seen it before. It is familiar to them, which helps with interest.
How to make a turkey out of your hand:
- Place your right hand on the paper.
- Trace it with your left hand. This is doable even if you are right-handed because it doesn’t have to be perfect.
- Draw an eye, snood, and nose.
Painting helps with fine motor skills
See that pencil grip on the paintbrush? That came with lots of fine motor activities and practice. In the early years, he used his entire first to write, and it looked extremely uncomfortable to everyone except him.
Giving kids time to explore fine motor activities such as painting, coloring, squeezing water bottles, grasping small objects, and free choice cutting and art goes a long way. Take the time to offer a few ideas each month to create playful learning opportunities in a risk-free environment.
Let children take the lead
I asked my child to use watercolors and paint the turkeys. The rest of the painting process was for him to decide. My middle child went with the same coloring pattern for each turkey. My youngest decided to go in rainbow order making the next turkey have the last color used in the center. Pretty clever, I thought!
I am going to be blunt and say it. Kids often have better ideas than us adults. Let them take the lead in art and many other decision-making over the years.
RELATED: Want to paint and unsure how? Here are my favorite easy painting ideas for kids.
Supplies
Let’s get these watercolor turkey place settings painted so we have place settings in time for the holidays. Here are the supplies you will need. I listed the main art supplies below. You will also need a gluestick, scissors, and markers.
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Watercolor Paints
These are the BEST watercolor paints, and you need them. They sell out quickly, but when they are available, grab them. We have used the same pallet for three years!
Kid Paintbrushes
Toddlers and preschoolers benefit from a chubby handle on a paintbrush. I like how there are two different brush styles for children to explore.
White Paper Roll
I use this paper roll for just about everything on Days with Grey. It is a supply staple that you will find helpful, too.
Set up watercolor turkey place settings
Setting up this Thanksgiving handprint craft for your Thanksgiving table is simple. Here is how to set it up.
- Place something like builders paper or paper bags on the table to protect it from the paint.
- Draw six hand turkeys on the paper. I like to trace my right hand with my left hand.
- Add turkey features such as an eye, snood, and nose.
- Place watercolor paints to the left of the turkey drawings.
- Invite your child to paint in the turkeys.
- Cut out each turkey when dry.
- Use a gluestick and glue each turkey on a half sheet of brown construction paper.
- Write the name of each friend or family member at the Thanksgiving table.
This Thanksgiving art idea is easy and also fun. When will you make your Thanksgiving craft?
Empower your child with skills to thrive.
24 low-prep activities and relatable conversation starters that equip kids for life.
- Order the easy-to-follow activity cards.
- Build the foundation for social-emotional learning.
- Notice a shift in self-confidence and self-regulation as you and your child implement what you practice.
FAQ for Watercolor Turkeys
You can make a hand turkey with a marker and your hands! Place your right hand on the paper. Use your left hand to trace your hand. Add an eye, snood, and nose to make your turkey come alive!
I like to include pom poms, feathers, pipe cleaners, markers, watercolors, paint sticks, sequences, gems, and tissue paper to make my turkey crafts have character.
What happens when there is a turkey to stuff and potatoes to mash? Kids not interested in helping around the kitchen will need a few activities to be entertained as you cook. Set up this Thanksgiving activity table for children of all ages to enjoy.
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