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If you have your little one home more days than usual because of the holiday, or you just want to add some extra seasonal fun while you prep for Thanksgiving dinner, I’ve got you covered. These activities are easy to set up, require simple supplies, and will keep your toddler happily entertained while you cook, clean, or simply enjoy a cup of coffee.
Before you scroll past thinking, “I can’t draw” or “I’m not crafty”, let me remind you, your toddler is going to have fun no matter what. Even if your turkey looks a little… creative (trust me, mine often do!), they’ll still be thrilled. These activities aren’t about perfection, they’re about making memories and keeping little hands busy.
1. Paint a Turkey
Supplies:
- Cardboard
- Blue painter’s tape
- Glue
- Construction paper (white, black, orange)
- Paint (washable toddler paint works best)
Instructions:
- Cut a large half-circle from cardboard — this will be the turkey’s face.
- Use blue tape to outline the face. Cut and glue on the eyes (white ovals with small black circles) and beak (orange triangle). Let it dry.
- From the edge of the turkey’s face, use tape to make 6–10 feather sections radiating outward.
- Hand your toddler the paint and let them color each “feather” section however they like.
- Let the paint dry completely, then carefully peel off the tape to reveal the colorful feathers.
- Display your turkey proudly — even if it’s a little wonky, it will still be adorable!
Tip: If you’re short on time, swap paint for crayons or markers to make this a low-mess version.
2. Color Sort Turkey
Supplies:
- Cardstock or butcher paper
- Construction paper
- Colored dot stickers
- Markers
Instructions:
- Draw a large turkey body on cardstock or butcher paper.
- Cut 4–5 feathers from construction paper in different colors, matching them to the colors of your stickers.
- Give your toddler a sheet of stickers and have them match the stickers to the feathers.
Parent Hack: Peel the backing off the sticker sheet so it’s easier for little fingers to remove the stickers.
Note: When I did this with my toddler, it didn’t go exactly as planned — she skipped the paper feathers and just covered the turkey drawing with stickers. But that’s the beauty of toddler activities — they still practiced fine motor skills and had fun!
3. Thanksgiving Shape Sort
Supplies:
- Construction paper
- Butcher paper
- Scissors (or a cutting machine like the Cricut Joy Xtra)
- Marker
- Painter’s tape
Instructions:
- Tape a large sheet of butcher paper to the wall, table, or floor. Draw several Thanksgiving-themed shapes (turkeys, pumpkins, pies, leaves, feathers).
- Cut out matching shapes from construction paper in various sizes.
- Hide the shapes around your home using painter’s tape (I stick them to walls, appliances, or furniture).
- Have your toddler find the shapes and match them to the butcher paper outline.
Extension Idea: Sort shapes by size (“big” and “small”) or by color for an extra learning moment.
Why I Love This One: It gets kids moving indoors when the weather isn’t great, and my toddler almost always asks to do it again!
4. Thanksgiving Hide and Seek
Supplies:
- Construction paper
- Butcher paper (we use an easel roll)
- Scissors and tape
- Marker or printed Thanksgiving shapes
Instructions:
- Draw or print 6–8 Thanksgiving-themed shapes (pumpkins, leaves, turkeys, pie, pilgrim hat, heart) on both butcher paper and construction paper.
- Color them in together for some extra engagement.
- Cut out the construction paper shapes and hide them around the room with painter’s tape.
- Have your toddler hunt for the shapes and match them to the corresponding shape on the butcher paper.
Why It’s a Winner: My toddler never wants this one to end — and I don’t mind because it keeps her busy and active.
Check out these fun tissue paper turkeys we did this year!
Final Thoughts
Whether you need a few minutes to get Thanksgiving dinner started, fold laundry, or just enjoy a quiet cup of coffee, these simple toddler activities can be a lifesaver. They’re low-prep, affordable, and guaranteed to bring some seasonal joy to your home.
Happy Thanksgiving, and happy playing!
xx, Ciara
