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As the leaves change colors and the air becomes colder, the holiday season begins to take over and we start to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of shopping, the smell of cinnamon and pumpkin, parties, presents, and FOOD! Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times planning the menu, decorating the table, and stuffing the turkey. We all know Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, family, and showing how grateful we are for what we have and share with others. The great part of Thanksgiving is also involving our kids and helping them to feel the importance of the holiday and showing them how to give back to those we love.

There are so many fun ways to get your kids involved and several activities they can do at school, at home, and with their friends. Cooking is a great way to get kids excited about Thanksgiving and there are so many fun ideas. And, how about crafts to not only help them develop those fine motor skills, but to also help them capture the spirit of Thanksgiving. This year, I wanted to do something extra special with my grandkids so I decided we would create a Gratitude Gobbler. This adorable turkey is fun and easy for kids to do themselves and gets them thinking about what they are grateful for this holiday season.

Enjoy this activity with your kids and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Gratitude Gobbler

Step 1: Buy some construction paper or paper with fun shapes and colors. Cut 1 inch strips from the construction paper you purchased for the body of the turkey (about 10 to 20 pieces) and then 5 or 6 feathers. You will also want to buy some pipe cleaner and fun eyes for the turkey too.

Step 2: On each of the strips of paper and feathers, ask your child what he or she is grateful for. Write each of these items individually on the strips and feathers. Encourage your child to be as creative and as detailed as possible.

Step 3: Take the strips of paper and use a glue stick to glue the strips one by one together at the bottom and the top. As your child glues these together, it begins to take the shape of a pumpkin or a ball.

Step 4: After you have successfully glued all the strips together so you make the shape of a pumpkin, fan out your feathers and have your child glue them together at the bottom. When they have glued the feathers together, they can now glue the feathers on the body of the turkey.

Step 5: Take the pipe cleaner you purchased and twist the top part of it around a pencil or spoon to create a round head. That makes it easier for you to glue on the eyes. When your child has rounded the pipe cleaner, have them glue on the eyes.

Step 6: Have your child make a beak and a gobbler for their turkey and glue them on the pipe cleaner where the mouth should go.

Step 7: Your masterpiece is now done and they have a wonderful Gratitude Gobbler to remember all the things they are grateful for this Thanksgiving season.