Midweek Creations - Memory Turkey

Thanksgiving is just a day away and it is not too late to create one more memory with your child. There are two variations to this craft. One allows you to create a Thanksgiving tradition with you child and the other a great keepsake/decoration to bring out every Thanksgiving. In the former, your child creates one feather each Thanksgiving to add to her turkey. In the latter, every member of your family creates a feather. This can also be done with a large group of children or family members so if you have a creative bunch this Thanksgiving you may want to get everyone involved. Enjoy!


What you'll need:
card stock, cardboard (I used cut -up recycled cereal boxes)
glue
crayons, markers, colored pencils, glitter glue pens, watercolors, and/or paint
paper plates - 1 large and 1 small
paint shirts and prepared art area

Give your child (and your family members if you would like) one cardboard or card stock square to decorate with crayons, markers, colored pencils, paint, or glitter glue pens. After you are done decorating, set the artwork aside to dry, and have your child decorate the back side of both paper plates with crayons, markers, or colored pencils. After they are done decorating the plates, draw a 7 in feather pattern on a piece of paper and trace it on the card stock or cardboard once it is done drying. You can also trace your child's feet or hand to create the feather if you would like. Cut out the feathers and, as an option, brush a light brown coat of watercolor over the feathers and the paper plate - this will tie them into together and it will make any crayon designs pop. Let your child add some glitter glue if they want and then glue the smaller plate slightly on top of the larger one so it makes a head. Draw eyes and a beak. Be sure to write your child's name and age on the back of her feather and any "I am thankful for" comments she wants to add before gluing it to the back of the turkey. Add your feathers as well or wait until next year for your child to create another feather.

Thanks for reading and Happy Thanksgiving!