Turkey Wreath- Submitted by Carol

Draw around a dinner plate on cardboard. Then draw around a saucer for the inside. Cut it to make a wreath shape. Cut lots of 4"x 1 1/2" colored paper. The kids roll them like paper chains. Then they glue them to the wreath shape. Trace their foot onto brown paper for the body of the turkey. Then add the rest of the turkey features out of construction paper.

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Hands-ome Turkey- Submitted by Carol

Materials:
Construction paper in fall colors, Paint in fall colors (optional), Brushes (optional), Scissors, Glue, Wiggle eyes, optional

Process:
Trace two feet (with shoes on) on brown construction paper and cut them out. Put the two feet together to make the turkey's body, matching the heels and spreading the toes apart to make the turkey legs. Cut out two feet, a triangle-shaped beak and a waddle out of scrap paper and glue them onto the body. Draw the eyes on white paper and cut them out or use wiggle eyes. Next, trace seven hands on various colors of construction paper (yellow, tan, orange and red work well) or and cut them out. Glue five of the hands behind the brown body to create a tail. Position the remaining two hands in front of the turkey's body and glue them in place to make the turkey's wings.

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Flying Turkeys- Submitted by Christi

To make a hanging turkey project, tie a knot at one end of a length of yarn. Poke a hole in the center of the side of a large Styrofoam cup, then, starting inside the cup, pull the yarn through the hole. Poke colorful craft feathers into the cup as shown. Finish, the turkey by gluing sequin eyes and a paper beak to the end of the cup. Hang these turkeys where they are safe from the cook!

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Thankful Tree- Submitted by Christi

To teach children the real meaning of Thanksgiving, you might want to make a Thankful Tree this year. A week or so before the holiday, have each child write down on separate pieces of paper ten things for which they are thankful. Find a sturdy tree limb and "plant" it in a clay pot. Glue the pieces of paper to a colorful leaf. Glue or tie each leaf to the tree and decorate with fall-colored ribbon, acorns and pine cones. As part of your holiday tradition, you might want to read the leaves on Thanksgiving.

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Grocery Bag Turkey- Submitted by Christi

Take a walk and gather fall leaves. Cut out two circles from grocery bag about 5 or 6 inches across. On thehead glue eyes beak and waddle cut from construction paper. glue the leaves to the outer edges of one of the circle with most of the leaf sticking out over the edge ...glue the other circle on top, add two legs from construction paper.

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Handy Turkeys- Submitted by Christi

Trace shoe on brown paper and cut out to make the turkey's body. Trace hand with fingers spread apart on other colors of construction paper and cut out to make feathers. Glue or staple feathers onto turkey's body. Draw or make a waddle, eyes and beak from leftover scrap paper.

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Turkeys N Feathers- Submitted by Christi

Take an 8x10 peice if brown constuction paper and fold it in half to make a card, then the kids that are able to trac and cut the shape of their own hands. Then glue feathers on the "fingers" to make the turkey. That goes on the outside of the cards. On the inside, write the turkey poem:

Turkey red, Turkey blue,
Turkey says, I Love You!
And then the kids sign them.

For the turkeys, we used orange constuction paper, and multi colored small feathers. I used printer paper for the inside note, I also used the wavy edged scissors to cut the out side of the note and the cards.

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Cutest Turkeys- Submitted by Christi

small clay pot, Florist foam, Brown tempra paint, felt for beak/waddle, wiggle eyes, Flat suckers on sticks assorted colors

Stuff the pots with foam. Let kids sponge paint the pots with brown paint. (sponging kinda makes it look more feathery) Put the eyes on the rim (the pot is rightside up), the beak & waddle below. Have the kids stick the suckers in the foam for the feathers.

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Hand Turkeys- Submitted by Christi

Trace around their open hand, then add legs and facial features, using thumb as the face. Then let the children color their turkeys. Write this message on their papers:

This isn't just a turkey,
as anyone can see.
I made it with my hand,
which is a part of me.

It comes with lots of love,
especially to say:
I hope you have a very
Happy Thanksgiving Day!

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Another Turkey- Submitted by Christi

First paint the child's hand. We used red, yellow, and orange to paint the fingers (feathers) and brown on the palm of the hand. Place the handprint in a large piece of paper. Trace the child's foot, with shoe on. That is the turkey body. Paste this over the palm of the hand print. Add eyes, beak and waddle with markers-we used wiggle eyes. Viola! You have a turkey.

Next-type and paste the following poem beside the turkey:

This isn't just a turkey,
as anyone can see.
I made it with my hand and foot,
which are two parts of me.
It comes with lots of love,
especially to say,
I hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving Day!
Love,
child's name and date

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Circle Turkey- Submitted by Cheryl

Brown Paper Bags, Scrap Construction Paper, Glue, Crayons, Scissors

Cut two circles out of paper bags; one about 5 inches and one about 3 inches. Cut out a strip (about 1 inch by 3-4 inches) and accordian fold it. Glue one end toward the top of the large circle and the other end in the middle of the small circle. Cut an oval (about 2 inches by 4-5 inches) to be the head and neck. and glue it to the middle of the small circle. From the scrap construction paper, cut out feathers on glue them to the top edge of the large circle. Color one yes, beak, ect.

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Thanksgiving Characters- Submitted by Cheryl

Toilet Paper Roll, Crayons, Glue, Construction Paper, Scissors

Cover roll with black paper. Cut a small circle, draw a face on it, and glue it onto the roll. Other things to add: arms, feet hair hat brim, apron, ect.
You can also make indians and turkeys this way.

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Indian Drum- Submitted by Cheryl

Oatmeal Box or any Can with Lid, Tape, Construction Paper, Rubber Bands, Crayons, Scissors

Cut a piece of construction paper to fit around can. Draw "indian" designs on it, and tape it onto can. Cut 2 circles out of construction paper about an inch bigger than the lid. Put it over the top and bottom of the can, and use rubber bands to hold it on.

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Thank You Book- Submitted by Cheryl

Construction Paper, Magazines, Stapler or Yarn, Glue, Crayons, Scissors

Fold paper or papers in half and staple fold or poke holes and tie them with yarn. Find pictures in magazines of things you are thankful for and glue them into the book.

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Thanksgiving Cornucopia- Submitted by Cheryl

Paper Grocery Bags, Magazines, Crayons, Glue, Scissors

Cut the paper bag so you can flatten it. Cut out the cornucopia cone shape, add a circle to the "open" end. Color it if desired. Cut out pictures of fruit from magazines and glue them onto circle of the horn.

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Totem Pole- Submitted by Cheryl

Egg Cartons, Scrap Paper, Feathers, Beads, Crayons, Glue, Scissors

Cut egg cartons into 4 rows of 3 cups. Glue 2 sections together, back to back, to form the totem pole. Decorate as desired.

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Tree of Thanks- Submitted by Cheryl

2 Paper Grocery Bags, Construction Paper (fall Colors), Crayons, Markers, or Pencils, Glue, Scissors

Cut open the grocery bags so it lays flat. Cut out a tree trunk and branch shapes . Use colored paper and cut out leaf shapes. Have children write what they are thankful for on the leaves and hang them on the tree.

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Potato Turkey- Submitted by Cheryl

Give each child a Russet potato & a pre-cut turkey head with 2 tabs at the bottom of the neck. Using 2 halves of toothpicks, secure tabs to potato.Using another toothpick pock holes in the side of the potato & place a real feather in each hole. Use 4 toothpicks as legs.

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Apple Turkey- Submitted by Cheryl

Use the apple for the turkey body, pre-cut turkey head, and those frilly cocktail toothpicks for feathers.

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Turkey Plate- Submitted by Cheryl

Have your child paint a paper plate with lots of different colors, or have them sponge paint all over the plate. Let the plate dry. Cut out a brown construction pear shape to resemble the body of a turkey. Cut out a yellow triangle and red teardrop shape to form the beak, and punch out two black "eyes" with a hole punch out of black paper. Have the child assemble the turkey and then glue onto the plate as the turkey's feathers.

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Turkey Trays- Submitted by Cheryl

Set out leaves, plastic foam trays, and construction paper. Make turkeys by gluing arrangements of real leaves for the feathers onto construction-paper bodies. Then glue bodies onto trays. Draw in features

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Indian Headbands and Vests- Submitted by Cheryl

Make Indian Headbands. Stripes of paper with a paper feather in the back. Indian vests. Use large brown paper bags and cut the arms out and decorated with paint.

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Hanger Turkeys- Submitted by Cheryl

Take a wire coat hanger and bend into an oval with the hook at the top. Stretch a leg of brown, tan panty hose over hanger, tie at the top. Children cut out and glue on six feathers, three each side. Two eyes, pupils, triangle orange nose, red gobbler, and two orange feet. We hang ours from the ceiling - they are adorable.

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Make Pilgrim Log Hhouses- Submitted by Cheryl

Glue pretzel sticks onto milk cartons.

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Wallpaper Turkeys- Submitted by Cheryl

Have the children cut about a 5" circle from brown construction paper. Provide the children with a precut profile of a turkey head and neck. (Could also use a rectangle for the neck and a small circle for the head.) Glue the base of it to the center of the circle at about a 45 degree angle. This is glued to a large sheet of drawing paper. Then draw the waddle, beak, eyes and feet. The children are provided with a wide variety of feathers cut from old wallpaper. (The stores will often give you outdated wallpaper books.) Encourage the children add details to their picture like grass, bugs to eat or whatever they like.

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Gluing Paper Corn Squares- Submitted by Cheryl

Manila paper, Black felt marker, Paste, Scrapes of colored paper

On manila paper, draw a large ear of corn with the shucks peeled halfway back (like a banana) for each child. Add kernels by drawing a brick-wall design in the exposed half. Cut tiny pieces of colored paper the same size as the kernels. Have the children paste the small paper kernels onto their corncob shapes. Shade shucks lightly with green and brown chalk, if desired. Hints: Either pre-paste the colored paper kernels or dot paste on the children's corncobs. Most two-year-olds will not care to paste on more than six to ten kernels. Have some real Indian corn on hand to show children.

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Turkey Picture with Dyed Popcorn- Submitted by Cheryl

Picture of a turkey with backside feathers visible, tagboard to glue picture on ahead of time, unpopped popcorn, rubbing alcohol, food coloring, crayons or markers. (Color the popcorn by mixing it with rubbing alcohol and food color....let dry in an open container.)

Have the kids color the turkey then glue the colored popcorn on to make his feathers.

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Turkey Art- Submitted by Cheryl

Fold a coffee filter in half 3 times so that it is the shape of a small triangle. Prepare 4 small containers of green, red, yellow & blue water. Dip each point into a color and then dip the middle of the filter in the last color. Open and let dry. These will be the turkey's feathers. Give the children a tracer that looks like the shape of a bowling pin. That will be the turkey's body. Have them trace and cut it out of brown paper. Glue the turkey's body to the opened coffee filter and decorate.

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Corn Cluster- Submitted by Cheryl

Cut 2 orange or yellow paper ears of corn and staple together with tissue between for stuffing. Use crayons to draw in kernls. Fasten clusters of about seven ears to husks cut from strips of brown paper bags. Hang several corn clusters as thanksgiving decorations.

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Pumpkin Pies- Submitted by Cheryl

Cut round pie shapes out of orange construction paper. Give each child a few whole cloves in a paper cup and set out small containers of powered cinnamon and ginger. Have the kids brush glue on thier pie shapes. Then let them sprinkle the spices over the glue and create "fragrant pumpkin pies."

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What Will We Eat Collage- Submitted by Cheryl

When anyone thinks of Thanksgiving, we usually all think of food that is served. Discuss with the children the different types of food that might be eaten at their family's Thanksgiving dinner.What types of food do the children want to eat? Let the children spend time cutting pictures from magazines (food),which also gives them anexcellent opportunity to develop the fine motor skills necessary to improve their "cutting" skills.

When children have found many foods, have them sort the different foods into different boxes,labeled with the major foodgroups(Dairy,meat,fruit etc). Give each child a paper plate.Let each child choose from the boxes what they want on their plate for dinner. Paste the pictures on their plates! Display the plates on a wall!

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Corn Cob Craft- Submitted by Cheryl

yellow construction paper, green construction paper, popped popcorn, powder tempera paint, glue

Cut the yellow construction paper into corn cob shapes. Cut the green construction paper into husks. Put the popped popcorn into a brown paper bag and add tempera powder paint to color them. Do quite a few different Fall colors. Have the children glue the corn onto the yellow paper and then add the green husks.

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Pilgrim Bonnets- Submitted by Cheryl

Use white paper bags, like lunch bags or bakery bags. The adult cuts the bag to about 6 inches long, and also cuts off one whole side. Next fold the end over several times and hole punch about every 2 inches on the fold. The girl then laces yarn through the holes, leaving enough on each side as this is tied under the girl's chin when she wears it. Finally the adult cuts paper doilies in half and the girl glues the doily so the "lace" shows from under the fold. (gluing also secures the yarn so it won't slip later) (The bag bottom is at the back of the girl's head, the bag sides are by her ears, the other side is the top. Lacing goes over the top and down the sides)

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Pilgrim Hats-Submitted by Cheryl

Take 2 full sized sheets of newspaper for each hat and crisscross them. Put newspaper on boy's head and wrap masking tape around the outside where the hatband would go. After that, trim the "brim" to the correct size (also add paper cut into large "O's" to reinforce the brim and glue this on). After glue is dry, boy can paint the hat black and add a foil buckle. (This style of hat can also be used for Easter bonnets, cowboy hats, etc.)

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Indian Corn- Submitted by Cheryl

After examining some real Indian corn, have your youngsters decorate your classroom with their own artistic renderings. To make one set of corn, cut out one or more construction-pa-per ears of corn. (If desired, provide a tagboard tracer.) Using Q-tips, paint on red, yellow, orange, and brown kernels. When the paint is dry, arrange and staple the tops of the ears together. Then collect leaves or cornhusks and tape them to the back of the corn (at the top). Make a paper or ribbon bow; then attach it to the front of the corn. Display the finished projects on a tall construction-paper cornstalk.

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I'm Thankful Wreath- Submitted by Cheryl

Trace the kids hands and cut out of several fall colors of construction paper. Cut out wreath shapes from tag-board with the center cut out also, and have the kids glue their handprints on the wreath. Then write on each hand what that child is thankful for.

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Paper Towel Turkey- Submitted by Cheryl

Have the kids color all over the paper towel with markers. Have them spray lightly with water and liquid starch so the colors all run together. Let it dry. When dry use a spring clothes pin to gather down the middle and pinch (like a butterfly), gather up ends at the top and glue. On the front and back of the clothes pin, glue on a turkey body and face. This makes a beautiful centerpiece.

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Turkey Placements- Submitted by Cheryl

Assist the children in making turkey placemats for Thanksgiving. Provide each child with a sheet of manila paper and fingerpaints. The children can dip their hands in the paint and press them on the manila paper. After the placemats have dried the child may wish to decorate the handprint to resemble a turkey. Label with the child's name and cover with clear contact paper.

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Turkey Chalk Pictures- Submitted by Cheryl

Encourage the children to make their own turkey pictures using chalk and construction paper dampened with liquid starch. The children can brush on the starch with paint brushes and then use chalk to create their pictures. After the chalk dries, spray the pictures with hair spray to keep them from smearing.

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Turkey Puppets- Submitted by Cheryl

Make turkey puppets using lunch bags and paper plates. They can draw feathers on the plates before assembling. Assist the children in gluing the paper plates to the backs of the paper bags. They can also add facial features to the front of the bag.

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Thankful Collage- Submitted by Cheryl

Have the children design a collage of things they are thankful for and things they like. Provide magazines and old photos, construction paper, glue and scissors. Label the items, directing the children's attention to the words that correspond to the pictures.

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Tie- Dyed Napkins- Submitted by Cheryl

Make tie-dyed napkins by boiling cranberries in water. Dip squares of white material, that has been tied into knots into the water. Let dry!

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Table Cloths- Submitted by Cheryl

Give the children a large sheet and squeeze bottles full of tempera paint. Have them paint all over, for a Thanksgiving table cloth.

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HeadBands and Drums- Submitted by Cheryl

Make Native American headbands or drums using empty shortening cans.

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Hand and Feet Turkeys- Submitted by Sherry

Brown, tan, orange, red, and yellow construction paper, wiggle eyes, glue, scissors, pencil.

First, let each child place his feet on brown construction paper; trace his/her feet, and cut out. Then hand over hand assist the child in tracing his/her hands onto colored paper (your choice of color or child's choice). Then cut out and glue the two feet pieces together where the heel meets. Let the child glue the remaining hands onto the turkey body. Cut thin orange paper strips for the feet and glue onto the body. Glue on wiggle eyes, nose, and waddle. The children absolutely Love this project. (This idea came from a Parent magazine).

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Leaf Tail Turkey- Submitted by Sherry

Blackline master of turkey profile, leaves gathered from outside, glue, brown paint/crayon.

Run a blackline master of a turkey profile onto tagboard or manilla construction paper. Let each child paint or color his/her turkey brown. Then let each child cover the feathers/tail of the turkey with leaves that he/she picked. Dry and then add detail with markers, wiggle eyes, etc;

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Handy Dandy Turkey- Submitted by Sherry

Copies of turkey poem (listed below), brown paint, colored feathers (or colored macaroni, or colored paint), tagboard. Let each child dip his/her hand in paint or use paintbrush to paint his/her hand brown. Press onto tagboard. Then decorate the fingers, which would be the turkey's feathers with desired medium such as feathers or noodles. OR you can paint the child's thumb and palm with brown paint and press onto paper. Then paint each finger a different color, chosen by the child, and press onto paper.

This isn't just a turkey.
As anyone can see.
I made it with my hand,
Which is a part of me.
It comes with lots of love,
Especially to say,
I hope you have a very,
Happy Thanksgiving Day!

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Fingerprint Turkey- Submitted by Sherry

Brown, yellow, green, red, black, orange, blue paint, construction paper, copy of poem(listed below).

Let each child dip his/her finger into the brown paint and with hand over hand assistance, help him/her to create a turkey body. Then add feathers on turkey dipping fingers into colored paint. Use q-tip to dot on the waddle and eyes. Use pinky finger dipped in orange to make the legs. Underneath add this poem:

Turkey birds are different,
From sea to shining sea.
And you'll never see another bird
Like this one to you from me.
Can you see what makes him different?
Do you need some helpful hints?
I made him from my very own
Thumb and fingerprints!

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Popcorn Necklace- Submitted by Sherry

Popcorn(Try to find colored popcorn, or die your corn with food coloring; let it soak overnight),thread ,large lacing needle.

Pop the popcorn according to the instructions on the package. String a needle with thread, and knot the ends of the thread together. Make sure the thread is long enough to make a necklace when doubled in half. Stick the needle thru a piece of popcorn until the knot is pulled up close to the popcorn. Continue to string popcorn onto the needle, until you fill up the thread, leaving about a handful at the end of the thread. Cut the needle off, then tie the thread in a knot at the end of the popcorn. Tie the ends together to make a necklace. There you have a colorful harvest corn necklace!!

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Thanksgiving Setting- Submitted by Sherry

Give each child a large piece of paper for a placemat and let them decorate the outside border. Provide magazine pictures, or large communication pictures of typical Thanksgiving food (turkey, ham, corn, pie, etc;). Let each child choose food to glue onto his/her placemat. Laminate.

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Cornmeal Playdough- Submitted by Lisa in VA

Mix 2 1/2 cup flour w/1 cup cornmeal. Add 1 tbsp oil and 1 cup water. Use cookie cutters and rolling pins

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Thanksgiving Candle Holder- Submitted by Cindy

soup beans, (20 oz) of Chili Bean Soup Mix, glue, small plastic cups

Make a mixture of regular white glue and the beans. Then put the bean/glue mixture into the small cups and placed a small candle in the center of the bean mixture. Allowed it to dry for about 2 - 3 days. When it is totally dry, it should pop right out of the plastic cup.

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Spiced Turkeys- Submitted by Sherry

Construction paper or tagboard, glue, paintbrush, different seasonal spices (nutmeg cinnamon, cloves, allspice, salt, pepper, whatever!)

Trace child's hand on tag board or construction paper. (The fingers will be the feathers, thumb will be the head, and the palm is the body). Let the child fill in the tracing with glue, and then sprinkle spices onto the glue. (Sprinkle a different spice onto each different hand part if you like.) Easily turn the hand into a turkey by drawing feet, beak, eyes and a "gobbler" onto the appropriate places with markers.

This is a great way to blend Thanksgiving with teaching about the sense of smell! Even preschoolers will love it! (Fun way to make mom's kitchen smell nice, too!)

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Cornucopia Countdown- Submitted by Sherry

construction paper, scissors, glue, markers, decorative items (eyes, glitter)

Cut a cornucopia (horn o'plenty) out of brown paper - write "We are Thankful for..." on it. Cut as many fruits and vegetable shapes out as there are days left until Thanksgiving. Decorate each one with glitter or wiggly eyes, if desired. Leave space on the shape to write what you are thankful for. Then, every day, glue one shape onto the cornucopia. When the shapes are all glued on, it's Thanksgiving and you have a handmade door decoration!

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Native American Rainstick- Submitted by Patrisha

Use a Pringles can with lid. Cover with brown paper and let kids decorate. Add rice. Use at circletime while listening to authentic Native American Music.

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Turkey Wreath- Submitted by Patrisha

Cut enter out of paper plate. paste construction paper or real feathers around the ring of plate. Glue or staple a flat coloring book picture of a turkey that the children have colored to the center of plate to show through the hole

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Corn Cob- Submitted by Patrisha

Draw a cob of corn with husks drawn back or find a picture in a coloring book to copy. Let children color husks green or glue real husks to the paper. Let children glue unpopped pocorn or real corn kernals (from dried corn or seed) to the cob part.

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Pumpkin Turkey- Submitted by Patrisha

Take a small pumpkin (not a mini---should be CHEAP now) and that is the turkey's body. Dress appropriately using whatever you find. attach cheap black or brown stretch gloves to bottom for feet. set on a nest of leaves.

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Thanksgiving Tree- Submitted by Sherry

Make a tree trunk with bare branches out of black craft paper and tape the "tree" to the dining room wall. Then we cut out individual autumn-colored leaves (red, orange, yellow, brown) from more craft paper. Everyone thinks of something or someone that they're thankful for, they write the item or person's name onto one of the leaves and then tape the leaf to the tree branches.

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Variation- Submitted by Terri

Find a bare branch and anchor it into a coffee can with plaster or use gravel. Then have the kids take turns dictating something they were thankful for and write them on leaves cut out of colorful construction paper, then attach them to the branches by having a hole punched in top of each leave.

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Thanksgiving Quilt - Submitted by Patrisha

12" x 12" square from a brown paper sack, fabric squares (4 per each child), thanksgiving stickers and markers.

Ahead of time cut out the 12" x 12" squares and make a nine square grid for the quilt for each child. Have the children place the fabric squares on the the brown paper square to resemble a quilt. With the square remaining have the children draw things they are thankful for. Last they can decorate the quilt with stickers. You can add a string of raffia to give this project a hanger.

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Thanksgiving Greeting Card- Submitted by Patrisha

Construction paper and paint

Have the children dip their hands in the paint and place the hand prints on the right and left side of the construction paper. Let dry and then glue this poem in the middle. You could also include a picture of the child.

The Poem:

Dear Mommy and Daddy,
These aren't just turkeys
As anyone can see,
I made them with my hands,
Which are a part of me,
This comes to you with lots of love,
Especially to say,
I hope you have a very Happy
Thanksgiving Day!
Love, (the child's name)

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Thanksgiving Dinner - Submitted by Patrisha

Construction paper, napkins and glue

A special way to discuss thanksgiving with your students is to ask them what they are most thankful for. This project is perfect for them to share with mom and dad. It is a thanksgiving dinner place mat. First take a regular piece of construction paper and use this as your place mat. Then you can cut out of paper a fork, knife, and spoon. When you have all the pieces ready glue your place setting together. But you're not done yet, you need a plate. Cut one large circle for the plate and on each plate have your students write what they are most thankful for. If they are too young to write then have them tell you and you can write it for them. You can add a napkin and maybe designs on the plate for authenticity.

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The Mayflower- Submitted by Patrisha

White foam cups, white construction paper, plastic straws, craft clay, hole punch and scissors

Cut 2/3 off the top of a foam cup. Place a lump of craft clay in the bottom of the cup. Make a paper sail by cutting a square from the construction paper. Punch 2 holes in a line at the top and bottom of the square. Now, cut a straw in half and place the straw through the holes in the sail. Attach the bottom of the straw to the lump of clay in the cup bottom. You can also put sailboats in the water to see if they float like real ships.

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Natural Thanksgiving Centerpiece- Submitted by Patrisha

Pine cones, cranberries, sticks, leaves, small rocks and glue

To make a natural turkey you can go and buy the above items at a craft store or if you are lucky to have natural resources out your door then take your class for a walk and find different items on the ground that nature has given us. Lay the pine cone on it's natural side to stand, you can also glue it to a small board . Have the children glue the leaves and sticks into the "top" of the pine cone making the feathers.

To make the face, glue a cranberry on the under part of the other end, glue small rocks (you can paint these) for eyes. Be creative with what your area as to offer you this very colorful time of year.

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Classroom Cornucopia- Submitted by Patrisha

Construction paper, markers, glue, crayons and what ever you can gather to get those creative wheels turning in your little ones heads.

I do a lesson plan on fruits and vegetables the week before Thanksgiving, and on Friday I place various art media out on the art table and tell the children that they can use what ever is available to create their favorite fruit or vegetable.

When we are done I draw a basket and place it on the wall. The children hang their fruit or vegetable on the wall pouring out of the basket. Our gift of harvest to the other classrooms at our center.

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Turkey Bowl Centerpiece- Submitted by Patrisha

Margarine containers, construction paper, glue, scissors and googly eyes.

Cut out feather shapes for turkeys feathers, a head, wings and let children decorate them. Glue them on to the margarine containers in the proper places and add eyes. These can be used as centerpieces at Thanksgiving. Adding a few goodies makes this a treat!

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Thanksgiving Turkey Centerpiece- Submitted by Patrisha

Small brown lunch bags, various colors of tempera paint (Fall colors), large paintbrush or roller, turkey face and feet, glue, and old newspapers for "stuffing" the turkey.

Measure 5 1/2 inches from bottom of bag, measure all around and inside the folds also. Paint this section in various colors. This will make the feathers for the turkey. Cut on the seam of the bag down the 5 1/2 inches. Stuff the bag with old newspaper and tape tightly closed. This will form the turkey body. Now fan the colored feather tail. Glue the turkey face on the bottom of the bag which is now really the front. Glue the feet on the underneath side of the bag. You can find patterns for the face and feet in teacher's idea books or coloring books. Makes a great centerpiece!!

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Thanksgiving Place Mat- Submitted by Patrisha

White construction paper, (5) primary paint brushes, (5) fall color tempera paints i.e.. red, yellow, orange, green & brown. Beige (or color of choice) paper cut in leaf shapes approx. 3"x3", pen or marker, a couple of dried, flattened leaves or leaf shapes cut out of Autumn leave print paper (found at a craft store) and wipes

Using primary paint brushes, paint each finger (except thumb) using fall colors; i.e.. one finger yellow, next red, next orange, next green. Lay child's spread out fingers onto white paper and carefully lift up. Have the child make a fist (thumb end facing up) and paint the curled up baby finger and side of hand using brown paint.

Carefully lay painted hand surface down onto paper with fleshy hand part under previous finger prints. Lift up and you will see a turkey with a brown body (from fleshy part of side of hand) and head (curled part of baby finger) with four colored feathers above it's body.

Using red paint, paint end of thumb and put thumb print right under the turkey's head to make the "gobbler". Use wipes to clean the child's hand.

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Thankful Tree- Submitted by Patrisha

On cut out leaf print, write "I am Thankful for" and have child fill in or tell you what they are thankful for. Once filled in, tape with double sided tape or glue onto white paper. May decorate with real leaves that are dried and flattened (between pages of a thick book) or with leaf shaped papers cut from leaf printed paper. Put child's name and date on back and laminate it to use as a Thanksgiving place mat and keepsake. Talk about the color that the leaves are turning as you paint the fingers.

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Easy "Hand Print Turkeys"- Submitted by Patrisha

Child's hands, brown, yellow, orange, green and red paint

Paint the palm of the child's hand and thumb brown. Then paint each finger a different color. Add to bottom of the thumb print a little red "gobbler". When dry add feet to hand print. A Hand print Turkey! The children love getting their hand painted. Its also a great sensory project. Talk to the kids about how the paint feels on their hand.

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Thanksgiving Turkey- Submitted by Patrisha

Latex gloves, rubber bands, markers, different materials for stuffing: corn starch, water, oatmeal, sand, etc

Children will fill up individuals latex gloves with one type of material from list above. Tell the children not to let anyone know what they are using, for a game you will play later. Encourage the children to decorate their glove into a turkey. Prior to this art experience, discuss a turkey's appearance and different body parts. After everyone who wants to has created a turkey, have them "walk" their turkey around looking and FEELING for their turkey friend. Their turkey friend will be the turkeys who have the same stuffing as their turkey. You can have the children store their turkeys in a basket in order to play over and over.

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"Hands Full of Thanks" - Submitted by Patrisha

Hands, markers or crayons, anything you want to decorate with and construction paper

Help each child to trace their hand on construction paper. Have them tell you five things that they are thankful for and write one on each finger. Write their name in the middle, and allow them to color or decorate the hand as they wish. Parents love these!

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Packing for America- Submitted by Patrisha

Picture or die cut of suitcase, magazines, grocery ads, glue and scissors.

During the Thanksgiving Unit, we talk about the Pilgrims coming here to America. We talk and read about what the Pilgrims brought over. For a fun activity we do Leaving for America. We give the children a picture of a suitcase or a die cut bag. The children then cut out, from magazines, what they would bring on a trip. We have done this in the classroom and we have sent it home for together time with the parents. When we are done, we display what we take with us on our trip. It's great to see what the children will bring.

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Tootsy Turkeys- Submitted by Cindy

These tootsy turkeys will wiggle your little ones' toes. In advance, mix brown paint with liquid soap in a shallow pan. To make a turkey, step one bare foot into the tray, then onto a 12" x 18" sheet of construction paper. Allow the paint to dry. With the toes facing down, draw or paint feathers around the foot. Then use markers to draw facial features on the footprint to resemble a turkey. Gobble, gobble!

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Thanksgiving Art- Submitted by Cheryl

Cut a turkey body out of brown construction paper and then glue this onto a large white paper. Put brown, yellow, red and orange paint onto paper plates. Have the children dip their hands into the paint and paint hand print turkey feathers for the tail. The more they layer their handprints the prettier to turkey.

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Thanksgiving Sunflower- Submitted by Lisa in VA

As the days get shorter, brighten your home with a Thanksgiving Sunflower. Here’s an art project that combines cutting, coloring, and writing with thoughtful discussion about gratitude.

Yellow and orange construction paper, scissors, glue, colored markers

Cut a 3 1/2-inch-diameter circle from orange construction paper. Write “I am thankful for” on the circle with brown or black marker. Cut yellow construction paper into 1 1/2- by 7-inch strips. Round each strip to form a petal. Taper each base to a width of 1/2 inch. The bases will tuck under the orange circle. Discuss the meaning of Thanksgiving with your child and review the many good things in your lives. Explain that not everyone has these things and that we should be grateful for the things we have and to the people who provide them. Ask your child to write the name of one thing or person he is thankful for on each petal. Arrange the petals around the orange circle. Have your child put a dot of glue on the base of each petal and tuck them under the circle. Set a book on the sunflower to press. Let dry. Hang the sunflower on the wall or refrigerator.

Variation:

Sunflowers come in other autumn colors besides yellow. Make the center brown and the petals different colors such as orange, yellow, red, tan, and peach. Add a thick green stem and leaves to the sunflower and put it on the bulletin board or refrigerator.

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Tera-Cotta Pilgrim's Hat- Submitted by Christi

terra-cotta pot, tempera paint, fun foam, tacky glue, Fall flowers (optional), paint pen (optional)

These are great to make as a class project, or if you use a large pot - you can use as a Thanksgiving table decoration! Start by painting the pot black. Let dry. Measure the diameter of the pot that you are using. Then, cut a circle out of a piece of black fun foam 1 and 1/2 times the diameter of the pot. (Example: if you are using a 6" pot, cut a 9" diameter circle.) Cut a "buckle" for the rim of the hat out of yellow or red fun foam. The buckle is simple a square with a smaller square cut out of the center. After the pot is dry - turn the pot upside down and glue the buckle onto the bottom rim of the pot/hat. Glue the hat brim underneath the pot and let dry. Place a single Fall mum stem into the hole for added decoration! You can turn these into Thanksgiving table place cards by simply adding the guest's name with a silver or gold paint pen. If you are making a large pot - add a bunch of fall flowers to the hole at the top of the pot for a colorful and fun table centerpiece! *optional: you can also use a paper cup in place of the pot to make this craft.

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Best Turkey Hands Down- Submitted by Christi

paper plate, brown paint, paint brush, Fall colored construction paper, glue, markers

Paint the paper plate brown and set aside to dry. Trace your child's hands onto several colors of construction paper. Cut out. These will be the turkey's feathers! Now, have your child place their hand (with fingers all-together), on brown construction paper. Trace their hand, and wrist, but make a general oval shape around their fingers instead of tracing exactly around each finger. Cut this out, it will be the turkey's head/neck. Cut 2 long rectangles out of orange paper for the legs, and an orange triangle for the beak. Draw and cut out waddle out of red paper. Now we'll put it all together!

Glue the head slightly above center of the paper plate (so that the head is sticking up slighty above the top of the plate). Then glue the hand cutouts to the top back 1/2 of the plate to form the turkey's feathers. Glue the legs to the back on the bottom. Now glue the beak onto the head of the turkey, and glue the waddle onto the beak. Use markers to draw eyes and wings if you wish. These turkeys are so cute and colorful!!

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Indian Headband- Submitted by Christi

Tag board or sentence strip, Markers or tempera paint, construction paper, scissors, glue

Cut the tag board or sentence strip into a long narrow band. Draw a design such as inter-connected triangles on the strip. Have the children paint or color the head bands. In advance,have traced an outline of a feather on assorted construction paper. Ask the children to pick 3 and cut them out. Glue to the back of the headband. Once dry, staple ends together and place on the child's head.

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Turkey Pots- Submitted by Christi

flower pot, assorted colors of craft foam, scissors, craft glue, wiggly eyes, red curling ribbon, brown paint

Paint the outside of the pot brown and this will be the turkey's body. Allow to dry. Cut out various colors of turkey feathers from the craft foam and glue to the back of the pot layering them as you go. Next, cut out two turkey heads(beak included) with long necks(that curve back). Curl some red curling ribbon and glue in between the two heads under the beak area creating a waddle. Continue to glue the heads together but leave about 1 1/2 inches at the bottom. You will open and glue the two end pieces of the head to the pot. Attach wiggly eyes to the sides of the head. After the glue has dried, fill your turkey pot with candy corn or other fall colored treats!!!!

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Indian Corn Craft- Submitted by Christi

As a tribute to the fall season, fill your room with decorative works of art that resemble Indian corn. To make one, trace a corncob shape on tag or cardboard, then cut out. Crumple small pieces of brown, yellow, orange and black tissue paper to resemble corn kernels. Glue the tissues closely togetherin rows on both sides of cutout. When the glue dries, complete with real corn husks or ones made from brown paper sacks. even the little ones can do this activity and they turn out really cute. I let them make a couple each and hang from the ceiling.

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Indian HeadDress- Submitted by Christi

Heavy perforated cardboard, 11 large feathers, 2 small feathers, White paper, Penne Rigate pasta, 6 pony beads (2 of each color), String, Markers, Pencil, Ruler, Craft knife, Scissors, White glue, Hole punch

Using a craft knife and a ruler cut the following pieces from cardboard. 1 - 14” x 1 1/2” rectangle and 2 - 2-inch diameter circles. Trace the cardboard pieces onto the white paper and cut one paper piece for each cardboard piece. Glue the paper to the cardboard. Let dry.

Punch a hole on each side of the rectangle piece 1/2 inch from each edge. Using a pencil, sketch a design onto the paper side of the cardboard pieces. Color your designs with markers. Tie a 12 inch length of string into the holes on the ends of the rectangle band.

Put a piece of pasta on the quill of each of the large feathers. Poke the first feather into the corrugated area of the cardboard at the center of your band. Poke the rest of the feathers about 1-inch apart evenly on both sides of the center feather. (see fig 1) Cut 2 6-inch lengths of string. Tie a large knot on one end of each string. String 3 beads on each string. Lay unknotted end of string over the quill of a small feather. Poke the quill of the small feather into the corrugated area of a circle. The quill should help push the string into the cardboard so the cardboard holds both the quill and the string. Trim any excess string. Glue one circle to each side of the band with the feather and beaded string hanging down.

Make the Paper Bag Indian Vest to go along with your headband.

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Indian Vest- Submitted by Christi

Make this fun and simple Indian vest from a brown paper bag. 1 large brown paper bag, Items to decorate -colored paper, markers, paint, etc., White glue, Scissors

Cut paper bag down the front and around the bottom of the bag for the opening and neck area. Cut a hole in each side for the arms. Cut the bottom edge of the vest so it is fringed. Cut two pieces of fringe from colored paper and glue one to each side of the front of the vest. Cut Indian designs from colored paper and glue to vest to decorate it. You can also color your designs on with markers or paint.

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