One of the best turkey art project for kids that has stood the test of time is the handprint turkey. We are adding a handprint turkey variation that adds a painted footprint too. This handprint turkey art is great for kids of all ages at home or in the classroom. Let’s make handprint and footprint turkey art with kids!

Turkey Art Becomes Thanksgiving keepsake

Footprint and handprint turkey art is such a fun project to do for Thanksgiving. Stamp your turkey’s on paper, aprons, placemats, and cards, and so much more.

Handprint and footprint art is a great way to measure kids growth year after year. It’s such a fun project to do with kids every fall and Thanksgiving too.

Handprint turkey art Project for Kids

This turkey art project doesn’t require a ton of materials. Some of them you probably already have at home, others you can probably find very cheaply at dollar stores.

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Supplies need to make footprint and handprint turkey art

• All-purpose Acrylic Craft Paint in various colors (we used brown, yellow, orange, coral, and red)
• Fabric paint (optional) – if you are doing this project on fabric
• Paintbrushes or sponge brushes
• Permanent marker
• Item to paint – paper, canvas, apron, napkin, table runner, placemat, t-shirt

Instructions for making a handprint turkey

Step 1

Holding the child’s hand flat, paint each of their fingers with a different color to represent the turkey’s feathers. Paint the palm of their hand brown for the turkey’s body. We painted our hands like this:

• Thumb and palm = brown paint
• Index finger = yellow paint
• Middle finger = orange paint
• Ring finger = pink paint
• Pinky finger = red paint

How to Get a Good Painted Handprint from Child:

1. Ask the child to stretch their hand out as wide as possible and quickly press their hand onto the surface you are painting.
2. Gently press each finger down one at a time but avoid rolling them, or you will not see the true shape of their adorable fingers.

Step 2

Use paint and a marker to add the beak, eyes, legs, and wattle and any other turkey details you want to add!

Turkey footprint and handprint art Variation

Creating turkey art is not only fun, but it allows you to spend time together as a family over a holiday that is all about family and being thankful. In this next version of handprint turkey art, we are adding a footprint too!

Instructions for making a footprint turkey

Step 1

Holding the child’s hand flat, paint their entire hand one color to represent the feathers. Press their hand onto the paper, gently pressing each finger and part of the hand down. Repeat this process three more times using different colors to make a fan of feathers. Make sure they wash their hand between each color and dry it thoroughly.

Step 2

Have them sit down in a chair while you paint their foot with brown paint. You might have to hold it steady because they could get very ticklish. Press their foot onto the surface overlapping the feathers a little. Again, gently press each toe and each part of the foot down.

Step 3

Use paint with a paintbrush and a permanent marker to add the beak, eyes, and wattle to your footprint turkey.

More turkey Crafts from Kids Activities Blog

• Turkey handprint apron
• Easy handprint paper plate turkey craft
• Popsicle stick turkey craft
• Thankful paper roll turkey craft
• Thanksgiving footprint turkey with paper feathers
• Easy thankful paper turkey craft

Have you made turkey footprint or handprint art with your kids?