Disclosure: This blog post, contributed by Jamie of Innovation Kids Lab, contains affiliate links. As an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Please read my full disclosure policy for more information.
The Thanksgiving holiday is the perfect time to teach kids about gratitude. And, what better way to do it than with a Thanksgiving thankful craft? This easy paper bag thankful turkey book craft is the perfect opportunity for kiddos to explore what they’re thankful for.
Teach Kids Gratitude with a Thankful Turkey Book Craft!
Plus, it will be a sweet keepsake, too. You may be surprised by your child’s answers in their turkey book of all the things they’re thankful for. My preschool child was thankful for orange juice and apples. But, my Kindergarten child added family and friends. It’s fun to see how values change between younger kids and older kids.
Let me show you how to make your own paper bag turkey books with your kiddos…
Supplies for Thanksgiving Thankful Turkey Book
Did you know you can make a book out of plain old brown paper lunch bags? It’s such a simple way to make a quick homemade book with kids. It’s so easy even preschoolers can do it.
Here is what you’ll need to make a thankful turkey book with your child…
- brown paper lunch bags
- single hole punch
- rubber bands
- craft sticks
- construction paper
- googly eyes
- school glue
- scissors
- recycled cardstock (such as from cereal boxes)
- stickers (optional)
- family photos (optional)
- markers
How to Make a Thankful Turkey Book
With just a little folding, hole-punching, cutting, and gluing, your kiddo can make an adorable handmade turkey book to record their Thanksgiving gratitude.
You’ll need only 3 brown paper bags to make the book. Simply stack them one on top of another, fold the stack in half, and punch a hole on each end of the folded edge. Then, thread the end of a rubber band through one hole and the other end through the other hole. Finally, slide a craft stick through the little rubber band loops to “bind” the book.
Now that you’ve made your paper bag book, you’ll just need to turn it into a turkey. Simply cut a triangle beak shape out of yellow or orange construction paper and a teardrop-shaped wattle out of red construction paper. Then, use regular old school glue to glue the beak, wattle, and some wiggly eyes onto the front of the book.
Next, cut some oval feather shapes out of colorful cereal box cardboard. And, glue them onto the back so they stick up and can be seen from the front of your turkey book. Finally, cut a piece of cardstock the size of the book and glue it on the back of the turkey book, overlapping the feathers, to add some extra support.
Fill Your Paper Bag Turkey Book with Everything You’re Thankful For!
That’s it! Now, your thankful turkey book is ready for your child’s journaling. Use a marker to write “I am thankful for…” on the first page of the book, if you’d like. Then, invite your child to draw or write about the people and things they are grateful for this Thanksgiving. You could provide stickers and photographs for them to add to their thankful book, too.
Thanksgiving is a fun time for the whole family to create and craft together. And, this paper bag thankful turkey book craft makes a sweet family keepsake to look back on each year.
Full Directions for this Thankful Turkey Book Craft:
Thankful Turkey Book Craft for Thanksgiving
Materials
To Make the Book:
- 3 paper lunch bags
- 1 rubber band
- 1 wooden craft stick
- construction paper (red and yellow)
- recycled cardstock (such as from cereal boxes)
- 2 googly eyes
- washable school glue
To Use Inside the Book:
- family photos (optional)
- stickers (optional)
- washable markers
Steps
- Stack 3 paper lunch bags on top of one another, fold them in half to form a "book", and punch a hole on each end of the folded edge.
- Thread the end of 1 rubber band through one hole and the other end of the rubber band through the other hole. Then, slide 1 wooden craft stick through the little rubber band loops to "bind" the book.
- Cut a triangle-shaped beak out of yellow construction paper and a teardrop-shaped wattle out of red construction paper.
- Make the turkey's face on the front of the book using washable school glue to attach the beak, wattle, and 2 googly eyes.
- Cut 5-8 oval feather shapes out of recycled cardstock.
- Glue feathers onto the back so that they extend above and can be seen from the front of the book.
- Cut a square of cardstock the size of the book and glue it on the back, overlapping the feathers, to add support.
- Use family photos, stickers, and washable markers to decorate the inside of the book with what you are thankful for.
Thankful Turkey Book Supplies & Materials on Amazon:
Get all the supplies and materials you need to make your own thankful turkey books right from Amazon…
Crayola Construction PaperAJM Brown Paper Lunch BagsTiconderoga My First Tri-Write Wood-Cased PencilsSingle Hole Punch 1/4”6” 100 Pcs Colored Jumbo Wooden Craft SticksU Brands Ball Of Rubber BandsFiskars 5in. Kids Scissors1700pcs Googly Wiggle EyesElmer’s Washable Liquid School Glue and Glue Stick BundleCrayola Pip Squeaks Marker Set600 PCS Cute Stickers for Kids
Plus, find all of our favorite arts and crafts supplies in B-Inspired Mama’s Amazon Shop: Awesome Kids Art & Craft Supplies
Like this Thankful Turkey Book Craft? Save It & Share It!
Don’t forget to save this thankful turkey craft to come back to each Thanksgiving. And share with friends! Simply use the buttons at the top or bottom of this post. Or, click here: Share on Facebook | Tweet It | Pin It | Email to a Friend
More Kids Thanksgiving Crafts and Activities:
- 18 Awesome Turkey Crafts for Kids
- Thanksgiving Traditions [From the Mouths of Moms]
- 35 Fun Thanksgiving Activities for Kids
Disclosure: This blog post, contributed by Jamie of Innovation Kids Lab, contains affiliate links. As an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Please read my full disclosure policy for more information.
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Samantha Hudson says
The stick part was challenging, but once we got that figured out my son and I had a great time making it! He wants me to say it turned out really cool!
Krissy of B-Inspired Mama says
I’m so glad you had a fun time making it! Thanks for sharing.
Linda Williams says
This is just what i needed for my library art time for November. I am a retired teacher and volunteer as librarian for oul Christian School. I reied to do a craft each month with the elementary classes. Thank you for sharing. May God bless you and your family.
Krissy of B-Inspired Mama says
Happy to help!
Leah says
Love this idea as a gratitude journal we revisit every year! We made ours and will add to it for years to come. I’m inviting those present on thanksgiving to write what they’re thankful for and will add a quick photo from the day to look back on!
Krissy of B-Inspired Mama says
Oh, I love the idea that you’re adding to it each year! So special!!
Debra Renauer says
How do you rubber band the book on the opposite side of the popsicle sticks?
Krissy of B-Inspired Mama says
The rubber band goes around the top of the stick on the front of the book, through the top hole to the back of the book, down the back of the book, then through the bottom hole bringing it back to the front of the book and around the bottom of the stick.
Amy @ Life to the Full says
This is such a cute idea! We have plenty of extra paper or cereal boxes to use – definitely need to do this craft 🙂
Christina @There's Just One Mommy says
This is so cute!
We have lots of brown paper craft bags just waiting for a use, and I think I just found it.
Pinned.
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
Oh you’ll have to share a pic of yours once you make them!
Deebi27 says
Love, Love, Love! Gonna Making one for Thanksgiving at my sister-in-laws, I want this to go around all the tables for EVERYONE to write in…BIG and small! Thanks so much. I know my sister-in-law with cherish this!
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
Such a sweet idea to have everyone write in it!
molly says
I can’t figure out the instructions for the rubberband part, lol. But cute project! We’ll improvise.
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
You could also just staple it, I think!
JDaniel4's Mom says
This is super cute! What a wonderful book to store thanks in.
Marti says
I love this….was looking for something different to do with my children’s church kids and this is great. They will love it – as I do.
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
So glad you found some inspiration!
Aubrey says
Ahhh! This is ADORABLE. I love it! Totally pinning this… and making it if I get around to it. Haha!
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
So glad you’re inspired! Definitely show us if you get around to making one!