This Leaf Hunt Turkey Craft is the perfect way to keep the kids occupied and out of the kitchen on Thanksgiving morning! It's a frugal, non-messy craft that will have the kids enjoying the outdoors and appreciating nature as well as using their creativity.
First, send the kids on a nature “walk”. We send at least one adult with them and they roam around the neighborhood looking for pretty and colorful leaves that have already fallen on the ground (send a ziploc or brown lunch bag with each child to collect them in). We also look for pinecones. If you don't think you'll find pinecones near you, you can pick up a bag of them at your local craft store. Parks are also a good place to find a lot of leaves and pinecones.
When they get back, we use small paper plates (it doesn't matter what color or design because you use the back). Using clear tape, let the kids tape the leaves onto the back of the paper plate using transparent tape. I suggest taping the stems. Continue to tape the leaves in layers to be the “turkey feathers” until most of the white plate is covered. Have an adult hot glue a pinecone “body”, eyes, beak and snood. 
The eyes, beak and snood can be made out of anything you have laying around the house: construction paper, duct tape, fabric, googly eyes, candy or craft foam.
I love this activity because it get's the kids active outside and enjoying the fall weather as well as using their creativity without making a huge mess with paints, glues and glitters. Every turkey will turn out unique and the kids will love to show off their turkeys at Thanksgiving dinner! Happy Turkey Day!
Note: If the weather makes collecting leaves impossible, you can use inexpensive silk leaves from the craft or dollar store.
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