Keeping kids busy while the turkey roasts can feel like a race against the clock. Wearable craft projects solve that problem instantly. Children love showing off their paper crowns at the dinner table, and you get photos you will cherish forever.
You do not need an art degree to tackle these projects. Most families already have these supplies sitting in a kitchen drawer. These 15 turkey hats for kids crafts offer quick DIY ideas for Thanksgiving that work for toddlers, preschoolers, and older children.
Grab your glue sticks, fetch your safety scissors, and build some funny headwear together.
1. Classic construction paper turkey band
This paper headband remains a Thanksgiving classic for a reason. You start with a thick brown construction paper strip that fits snugly around your child’s head. Kids cut feather shapes from red, orange, and yellow paper, then glue them in a fan pattern behind the main turkey face.
Toddlers build fine motor skills while snipping feather edges or placing pre-cut pieces. Stick on two giant googly eyes alongside a red paper wattle to complete the look. You can finish this entire project in under 15 minutes.
Supplies needed
- Brown, red, yellow, and orange construction paper
- Glue stick and school tape
- Googly eyes
- Safety scissors
2. Handprint feather turkey crown
Turn your child’s hand outlines into tail feathers. Trace their hands onto autumn-colored cardstock, cut out the shapes, and arrange them in a wide arch. Parents often save these crowns for years to remember how small those hands once were.
Staple a brown cardstock strip to size for the headband base. Handprint feathers look wonderful in family photographs. Explore more Thanksgiving crafts for preschool toddlers if your children enjoy creative paper projects.
3. Paper plate gobbler hat
Paper plates offer an inexpensive base for headwear. Cut a plain paper plate in half and let your child cover the curved edge with brown washable paint. While the paint dries, gather real craft feathers or paper cutouts.
Attach feathers to the upper arch of the plate and tape a paper strap across the bottom rim. Washable paint dries fast, letting children wear their hats to the dinner table. Visit Crayola for non-toxic paint options that wash off easily.
4. Foam strip turkey headband
Swap construction paper for craft foam sheets if you need a durable headband. Craft foam resists tears, bends without tearing, and comes in bright fall colors. Cut a wide brown foam strip for the base and join the ends with double-sided tape.
Children can glue foam feathers onto the back rim using basic craft glue. Foam gives the headband a sturdy 3D look that stands out clearly in pictures. Read our guide on turkey headband craft ideas for more variations across different age groups.
5. Color-your-own printable turkey tiara
When you need a quick activity while prepping dinner, printable templates save time. Print free turkey crown outlines onto heavy white cardstock and hand your kids a set of markers or crayons.
Children can color the shapes and design their own feather patterns. Once they finish coloring, trim around the edges and tape the paper strap to size. Look through our collection of printable Thanksgiving crafts for extra templates you can download immediately.
6. Tissue paper feather turkey cap
Crinkled tissue paper adds texture and volume to simple paper headbands. Cut tissue paper into large feather shapes, then show your child how to pinch and scrunch the middle of each piece. This lightweight method creates fluffy feathers that move as children run around.
Glue these scrunched feathers onto a sturdy cardstock strip. The soft texture gives the hat a fuller look and brings fun dimension to Thanksgiving costumes.
7. Googly eye felt turkey beret
Craft felt from the store makes a comfortable, reusable hat. Cut a brown felt strip to size and attach hook-and-loop fasteners at the ends. Glue colorful felt feathers, a yellow felt triangle for the beak, and oversized googly eyes onto the front.
Unlike paper crafts, felt headbands survive rough play without tearing. Store the hat away after dinner and bring it out again for next year’s feast.
8. Paper bag turkey mask hat
Standard brown paper grocery bags make great full-coverage turkey masks. Cut wide eye holes near the top so your child can see clearly while wearing the bag.
Kids can glue large paper feathers along the sides and top edge. Glue a red felt wattle just below the nose opening to finish this goofy dress-up mask.
9. Pinecone and cardstock turkey cap
Take kids on a backyard walk to gather small, lightweight pinecones before crafting. Glue cardstock turkey face pieces onto a brown paper band, then attach pinecones across the back rim to act as natural feathers.
Child development articles at PBS Kids Parents note that gathering natural materials helps build motor skills and spatial awareness. Kids enjoy wearing crafts that incorporate items they found outdoors themselves.
10. Yarn pom-pom turkey beanie
Turn a plain knit beanie into a warm turkey hat. Attach colorful yarn pom-poms to the top and back of a brown cap to create plush tail feathers. Simple felt shapes glued to the front make the face.
This beanie keeps ears warm during cold outdoor Thanksgiving parades. You can remove the felt pieces after the holiday without damaging the knit material underneath.
11. Glitter and sparkle turkey party crown
If your child loves shiny materials, glitter cardstock brings extra energy to the craft table. Cut shiny turkey feathers out of glitter cardstock or metallic paper sheets.
Stick gem adhesives, sequins, and stars onto the headband base. This shiny paper crown usually ends up as the main centerpiece at the kids’ dinner table.
12. Recycled egg carton turkey headband
Cardboard egg cartons provide great shapes for 3D crafts. Cut out individual egg cups, paint them brown, and glue one to the middle of a paper headband. The rounded cup creates a snout that sticks out from the headband.
Add painted cardboard feathers behind the cup to finish the build. Children enjoy transforming household trash into hats they can wear around the house.
13. Tie-dye coffee filter turkey crown
Coffee filters absorb ink to create watercolor designs. Have kids draw on flat coffee filters with washable markers, then spray the paper lightly with water. The marker ink bleeds into soft tie-dye patterns as it dries.
Once dry, cut the filters into feather shapes and staple them to a brown paper headband. The blended ink colors create a colorful fan of tail feathers.
14. Accordion-fold paper turkey crown
Accordion folds add movement to paper feathers. Fold strips of red, orange, and yellow construction paper back and forth in small steps to form bouncy paper springs. Glue these folded strips along the back of the headband base.
The paper feathers bounce and wiggle whenever your child moves. You can find more holiday craft ideas at Martha Stewart Crafting for project inspiration.
15. Leaf and ribbon harvest turkey hat
Silk leaves and fabric ribbons make a rustic harvest hat. Collect colorful artificial autumn leaves and satin ribbons from a craft store. Attach the leaves along the back of a paper headband to recreate a fan of tail feathers.
Tie long satin ribbons to the back so they trail behind as your child walks. This design photographs well during autumn family gatherings.
Recommended materials checklist
- Base materials: Construction paper, craft foam sheets, or paper plates
- Adhesives: Glue sticks, school glue, and double-sided tape
- Decorations: Googly eyes, craft feathers, and silk leaves
- Tools: Safety scissors and a ruler
Wrapping up your Thanksgiving craft time
Crafting turkey hats with kids gives everyone something active to do while preparing for Thanksgiving dinner. These simple DIY ideas keep children entertained and bring extra fun to family gatherings. Pick a project from this list, gather your supplies, and start building headwear together this November.