Looking for a simple and fun Thanksgiving craft that kids will love? This coffee filter turkey craft is a colorful mix of cute and easy to make.
The project uses a few basic supplies (coffee filters, markers, and clothespins). Your kids will love creating turkeys for DIY decorations and more. Kids will enjoy watching the colors blend together for the turkey’s feathers. And you’ll love how low-prep and budget-friendly it is!
I’m sharing step-by-step instructions (with pictures) and tips for making the craft easier. This activity is wonderful for homeschool, classrooms, library programs, or crafting at home.
Enjoy a Simple and Budget-Friendly Thanksgiving Craft
Thanksgiving is an awesome time of year to enjoy with kids. The mix of festive fun with feelings of gratitude makes it all so meaningful.
I’ve always loved finding creative ways to get my boys engaged and excited for it. One of the best ways we’ve done that is by making homemade decorations together (like our thankful paper turkey craft and paper plate turkey).
Coffee filter crafts became a favorite in our home. My boys loved coloring on the filters and then spraying them with water. It’s like magic every single time! The colors blend and spread in such a cool way. When dry, you can transform those coffee filters into crafts, like these turkeys.
One year, we tweaked this turkey craft to use as part of our Thanksgiving homeschool fun. We each had our own little turkey and wrote our names on them. They also looked so festive sprinkled throughout the house as decorations.
This project is a winner because it’s frugal, low-prep, and full of color. Enjoy it as a simple way to let kids be part of the celebration and add a personal touch to your Thanksgiving.
What You’ll Need for This Turkey Craft for Kids
You don’t need much to make this coffee filter turkey craft. That’s one of the things I love about this activity! It’s super low-prep, easy to set up, and lets kids jump right into the fun.
- Round coffee filters
- Washable markers (red, orange, yellow, brown)
- Spray bottle with water
- Wooden clothespin
- Black and orange permanent marker
You can go with traditional turkey colors. Or put on your creative hat and play with different colors! Make a red and green turkey or even rainbow!
Amazon Basics Basket Coffee Filters for 8-12 Cup Coffee Makers, White, 200 CountCrayola Broad Line Markers (12 Count), Washable Markers for Kids, Assorted, Back to School Essentials, Teacher Classrooms Must Have, School Supplies, 3+Crayola Super Tips Marker Set for Kids (100ct), Broad Tip & Fine Point Washable Art Markers for Kids, Bulk School Supplies, Teacher Classroom Must Haves, Drawing SuppliesDilaBee (4-Pack, 8oz Plastic Empty Spray Bottles for Cleaning Solutions, Plants, Cooking, BBQ. Small Spray Bottle for Hair, Plant Mister, Mini Squirt Bottle for Cat – Food-Grade BPA-Free – MulticolorKTOJOY Wooden Clothes Pins,50 Pack, 2.9 Inch, Large Natural Birchwood Rust, Moisture Resistant Clothes Pegs, Heavy Duty Clothespins,Clothes Pins for Craft, Clips for Pictures
Place a piece of wax paper, parchment paper, or even an old baking sheet under the coffee filters when kids are spraying them with water. It helps contain the mess, makes cleanup a breeze, and you can even reuse the wax paper for multiple filters!
How to Make Your Coffee Filter Turkey
Color the coffee filters and blend with water.
Flatten the coffee filters on a table. Use red, orange, and yellow markers to color all over the filters.
Spray the coffee filters with a spray bottle. Watch as the colors spread and blend into a tie-dye effect. Set the filters aside to dry completely.
Make the turkey’s face and assemble.
Take the clothespin and turn it so the “clip” end is facing up. Use a black marker to draw two eyes near the top. Add an orange beak just below the eyes.
Once the coffee filters are dry, pinch them in the middle. Clip 2 coffee filters into the clothespin so they fan out behind the turkey’s head like feathers.
Creative Ideas for Enjoying Your Coffee Filter Turkeys
Here are some simple and creative ways to use your coffee filter turkey crafts:
- Personalized Place Cards: Write each guest’s name on the turkey and add the date on the back. Set at each place around your Thanksgiving table.
- Festive Centerpiece: Group several coffee filter turkeys in the middle of the table. You can also use on a mantle or shelf.
- Storytime Props: Use your turkeys during Thanksgiving read-alouds or circle time. Kids will love holding them as they listen.
- Thankful Turkeys: Turn it into a gratitude activity. Write things you’re grateful for on the coffee filter when it is dry.
This project isn’t just about creating a craft. It’s about boosting creativity and having sweet memories around the Thanksgiving season.
FAQs About This Thanksgiving Coffee Filter Craft
This turkey craft works well for preschool through elementary ages. Younger kids may need a little help with the clothespin face. All will love coloring and spraying the filters!
Nope! Regular round basket-style coffee filters work perfectly. White filters give the best results for bright colors.
Washable markers (like Crayola) are ideal. They blend beautifully when sprayed with water and are easy to clean up.
It usually takes about 30–60 minutes, depending on how much water is sprayed. You can speed things up by placing them near a sunny window or using a hairdryer on a low setting.
Have Fun Making Your Coffee Filter Turkeys!
This coffee filter turkey craft is a fun way to celebrate Thanksgiving with kids. It’s full of opportunities for creativity and connection.
I hope this idea brings as much joy to your home or classroom as it has to mine! If you give it a try, I’d love for you to share how you used your turkeys.
Wishing you a stress-free, colorful, and joy-filled holiday season! Oh, and please let me know if you have any questions!
