Turkey Headband
A feathered turkey headband turns children into walking Thanksgiving decorations — and the class parade of turkeys is one of the most joyful moments of the November school year. Children make and wear their headbands with enormous pride.
What You'll Need
- Brown cardstock strip — for the headband; 3 inches wide
- Craft feathers — red, orange, yellow, brown
- Turkey face pieces — cut from cardstock: red wattle, yellow beak, googly eyes
- Glue — for assembly
- Stapler or tape — to size and close the headband
How to Do It
Step 1: Size the band. Measure the strip around the child's head, overlap and staple to fit.
Step 2: Add feathers. Glue feathers all along the top and back of the headband so they fan upward.
Step 3: Make the turkey face. Cut a small oval for the head, add googly eyes, a yellow beak, and a red wattle. Glue to the center front of the headband.
Step 4: Let dry. Give the glue 10–15 minutes before wearing.
Step 5: Gobble, gobble! Children put on their headbands and do their best turkey struts.
🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop
Wearable art — Transforming craft into costume bridges art-making and dramatic play.
Assembly sequencing — Following steps to build a layered headband builds procedural memory.
Tips & Variations
- Make feathers from painted coffee filters for a budget-friendly option.
- Add handprint feathers made earlier in the week.
My Two Cents
Always have extra feathers available — children will want to add more than you'd expect. A fuller, more feathered headband is always more satisfying to wear than a sparse one.
