My kids and I really enjoy crafting together, and since we don’t really have many Thanksgiving traditions, we started a new one this year with this adorable Gratitude and Acts of Kindness Turkey Activity!
As I mentioned, our family Thanksgiving traditions are pretty typical and really just center around getting together with loved ones and friends and enjoying good food and conversation. Other than that, we don’t really have anything special that we do leading up to the day. I wanted to change that this year.
I’m doing my very best to teach my children good values like being thankful and helping others. I love that we have this time of year to really realize and appreciate our blessings and to turn outwards in serving those who are in need.
I’m a leader in my church over what’s known as “Activity Days” for girls ages 8-11. It’s basically an organization where we meet every other week for an evening and have an activity where we accomplish certain goals and learn values through crafts, games, educational demonstrations, etc.
As I was thinking about what we could do for a creative Thanksgiving-themed craft, this particular, simple idea popped into my head. The girls had so much fun with it and I hope they will take it to heart and really act on it.
Then, I went home and my other kiddos wanted to make one too, so we did. 🙂
I love that the supplies are super inexpensive and ones that you probably already have on hand.
You’ll need:
Construction Paper
White Paper Plates
Markers (be sure to use washable if there will be little ones)
Small Googly Eyes
A glue Stick
Scissors
Start by cutting”feathers” out in various colors of construction paper. You’ll need about seven. Cut out a half circle for the body and a head and neck shape, a beak, legs and a gobbler thing (sorry, not shown).
Cut your paper plate in half. You can use the other half for another turkey if you’d like.
Let the kids label each of the feathers with something they’re thankful for.
Now turn those feathers over and help the kids note an act of kindness they will perform in relation to what they said they were thankful for on the front. (e.g. Parents-be obedient, siblings-share my toys, friends-cheer someone up, teachers-be a classroom helper, etc.). Encourage them to really put some thought into this.
Put a little of glue on the very tip of the back of the feather and stick it to the paper plate.
Fan the feathers all the way around the plate.
Now glue the body over the feathers.
Add the head, eyes, beak, and gobbler.
Don’t forget the feet! That’s it!
Isn’t Tom Turkey cute?!
Now encourage the kiddos to perform those acts of kindness in secret so the person receiving the service won’t even suspect! The goal is for them to choose a feather each day for the week leading up to Thanksgiving or just randomly throughout the month of November and perform that act of service.
This craft is a perfect way to get the kids in the spirit of being grateful and giving!
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