
If you are new to our site, take a minute to check out these posts to help take the stress out of the mess of creating with your kids!
- 5 Steps to Take the Stress Out of the Mess
- 10 Things You Need to Have for your Kids’ Art Projects
- Plan Ahead: The Secret to No Stress Fun with Your Kids
- Things you probably have at home:
- Pencil
- Wipes – to clean little fingers between colors
- Things to buy: Schedule a reminder 1 week before you want to do this activity to buy supplies
- White paper
- Paint – we used brown, orange, red, green but you can change up the colors of your feathers
- Fine point markers
- (Optional) Google eyes
- (Optional) Colorful paper – to make a frame

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Ideal Age Range:
This project is great for preschool age and above.
Mess Factor:
Low – Medium. Paint can always be messy, but you should be able to contain this!
Prep Time:
5 minutes
Active Instructions:
- Draw a light pencil line on the white paper to help guide where the fingerprints for the feathers should be made.
- Have your child dip one finger into a small amount of paint and dab onto the pencil line. One finger dip should be enough to make a few feathers before having to dip into the paint again.
- TIP: Have your child practice making fingerprints on a scrap piece of paper before making the turkey feather fingerprints. Encourage placing the finger flat onto the paper to make a larger “feather” mark, rather than just using the tips of the finger.
- Wipe their finger before using the next color.


- Choose the next color and place the fingerprints below the first feathers, overlapping slightly, while following the arch of the feathers.
- Make the last row of feathers. (Note that each row of feathers has slightly less fingerprints.)
- With the brown paint, have your child use their THUMB to make the turkey head and body, placing it on the bottom middle, under the turkey feathers.


- When the brown paint is dry, use the markers to add eyes, beak, snood, and turkey legs.
- If you prefer, glue small googly eyes on the turkey head.
- Add text, “Happy Thanksgiving”, and something your child is thankful for. Remember to sign the child’s name and date!
- OPTIONAL: Trim the picture and use colored paper to make a frame.


Definitely make sure to date your projects – these are wonderful decorations that you can save from year to year and enjoy every November!
We want to flood social media with your little finger print turkeys – please tag us in your photos as you make these adorable projects @givethekidssomethingtodo on Facebook or Instagram!!
If you want to pin this project, please use the image below.
