> *Letter T
> T is for Turkey
*Letter L > L is for Leaf
Birds > Farm >
Maple Leaves Turkey Craft
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*Jan. 5th > Nat'l
*April > Arbor
*May 4th > Bird Day
Multicultural > Canada
Plants > Trees
and their leaves
Activities 1 & 2 > Visit lesson plans and resources for > What
is a turkey? and What
This turkey craft is available in two sizes. The smaller version is easier for younger
set can be made to make a turkey family. It can be assembled in various ways and the process can
be made more challenging and creative depending on the age of the
The leaves on the template are maple leaves a national symbol of
Canada and featured in the flag.
Activity 3 > Maple Leaves Turkey Craft
The crafts can stand-up so they make great decorations and dramatic
play toys. It is important that the craft be printed on heavy
duty construction paper or card stock in order to stand up.
The pieces can also be traced onto thin paper plates and then cut out
Both crafts can be assembled by replacing template #1 (body) for a standard
thin (10" to 8") paper plate and the small version by using a 6"-5" small thin paper plate.
The feathers are created by using the maple leaves template, a
different type of leave pattern or real
leaves. Other options for the
feathers are: craft feathers, or cut elongated ovals in
different sizes of decorative paper.
Printing & assembly options:
Option 1: Print all color templates and
proceed to assembly instructions below
Option 2: Print all black & white templates and
proceed to assembly instructions below
Option 3: Large version only
* Use a thin paper plate instead of template #1 and draw
and cut out a head separately.
* Print template #2 & #3 color version
* Paint/decorate the back of the paper plate in the color
desired, wait until plate is dry and proceed with assembly as
Option 4: Large version only -
* Print template 1 (black & white version) directly onto your
color choice of construction paper or craft paper
* Print template #2 (b/w) onto a complimentary color or print #2 &
#3 on white
paper and color these pieces separately or
* Trace leaves directly on different colors of craft paper
Option 5: Small Version Only
* Use a small paper plate instead of the large circle template #1 black and
white. Paint the back in desired color.
* Trace leaves directly on different colors of craft paper.
* Children can color and decorate all other templates and pieces
proceed with assembly described below.
Assembly Instructions Suggested:
* At this point all template pieces and or paper plate should be
decorated and hand prints are ready.
1. Fold template #1 (body) or paper plate in half, color
is showing on both sides.
2. Feet and body assembly: Adult
will have to do most of this part of the assembly - a stapler is
-Fold the feet template on the center dotted line so color is showing
on both sides
-Insert the folded feet template on the center round
portion up to the dotted line of template #1 (body) or
folded paper plate and staple at least twice in place
-- refer to the illustration for positioning (Note: glue will
not hold the pieces in place).
-Turn and fold the feet upward on both sides to stand on the dotted
lines. For reinforcement, glue a small piece of cardboard or
card stock to the feet base.
3. While adult is completing step 2 of the feet assembly, children can
glue the beak, comb (crest), and wattles on the head template.
beak along the center line and place glue where indicated -- the beak
will open and close.
4. Glue assembled head to right or left corner of body
template (this will depend in which direction the feet were positioned
5. Leaves (feathers) Assembly Instructions:
Small Version: Glue one or two leaves on each side of the body
template. This step is important because one leaf handprint (feather)
on each side will create balance so the finished craft can
stand. Add equal amount of printed or real leaves on each side to
also maintain balance. Bend the printed leaves slightly one way and the other to make the craft more realistic and
Note: If gluing other alternatives - elongated ovals for
example, glue same amount on both sides to maintain balance
Large Version: Same procedure as above except you may
glue more leaves (up to six) to fill up as the illustration shows - not to
exceed 3 handprints on each side or it will be too heavy and not
Other ideas for decorating:
Older children 4.5, 5 and 6 need more challenge to make the process
more interesting and explore other art techniques or simply set up
various materials and different brushes, sponge rollers, etc. and
allow them to discover ways to paint and decorate.
1. Painting the paper plate, or body template and remaining
templates is an
opportunity to explore other techniques:
1. Mosaic: fill the body and/or leaf template with real maple
leaves or crushed leaves in different colors. Fill the the
templates with cut up & shapes of tissue paper, or left over craft
paper, and cut out excess.
2. Use a sponge roller or pieces of sponges cut into basic
shapes, and mix shades and/or roll paint.
3. Use a dropper
4. Glue yarn to half of toilet paper tube in different designs,
roll the tube over a thin layer of paints and roll over the template
- really neat designs will be achieved. Messy? Yes,
but lots of fun.
5. Explore with stripes and color mixing.
Make the crafts and use as name signs/table setting for a theme unit
#1 | #2
Color #1 | #2
T is for Turkey
L is for Leaf