I don't know about you, but post Halloween I have pumpkins EVERYWHERE! And like potato chips, you can't have just one. Or two, or three...

We have big pumpkins, small pumpkins, orange pumpkins, white pumpkins, a whole lotta fake pumpkins, and a couple real ones to.

As we've been transitioning into Thanksgiving coming up, I was looking for a way to repurpose some of the pumpkins. So, after searching the internet, I found this ingenious idea from 'The Crazy Craft Lady' of making pumpkins look like adorable little turkeys! I mean, just look how cute this is.

And they are so simple to make. She says the first step is to paint the face on, but I feel like it would be easier for little hands to use markers. If you want to be really fancy, you can use paint pens.

Then you cut out some construction paper feathers, securing with hot glue to the base of the stem. Or, with younger kiddos you can roll pieces of tape and use that to secure the leaves just fine!

That is pretty much it, super easy and simple. Definitely check out her blog post with more detailed instructions.

But what if you don't have an abundance of pumpkins like some of us?

Well, you can make some!

I've made these construction paper pumpkins several times and they are pretty simple. I linked a great video with detailed instructions. In the video she uses glue, but I've found that using a stapler holds up much better. Then when you have your finished pumpkin, it is easily turned into a turkey with colored pencils and some tape.

Besides being cute, crafts actually serve an important role in our kiddos' development.

Bending, shaping, and gluing items together helps to develop dexterity and strengthen fine motor skills. Alongside the physical benefits, using our hands to create fosters a sense of pride and satisfaction. Not only that, but research has also show that it increases self-confidence, decreases stress, and helps relieve anxiety.  

Doing crafts with your kiddo is also a fun way to help them practice following one-step instructions such as 'grab the marker', or 'tape this on.' Crafts help them learn planning skills, practice problem solving, and increase patience.

So, try this one out at home! We would love to see how it turns out. You can email us at admin@sunshineabatherapy.com or tag us on social media.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Links

Mini Turkey Pumpkins - A Simple Thanksgiving Craft - The Crazy Craft Lady

Easy Kids Craft: Construction Paper Pumpkin - YouTube

Creativity, Happiness and Your Own Two Hands | Psychology Today