Want a fun fall craft you can do today even if you don't have a glue gun and don't want to pull the iron out of deep pit in the laundry room? Want a craft that won't just hang on the wall but will "hang" on your active kids while they dance and play? Then turkey tail feather dancing belts are for you!

Turkey Feather Dancing Belts

Use What You Have on Hand:

You can make turkey tail feather dancing belts with items you already have at home. You can use this card board (that can be cut with scissors), or poster board or construction paper- whatever you have available. I save the thin cardboard cut outs that come in shirts for ideas like this. When it is time to make the belts, again use what you have. Twine, yarn, string or gift ribbon will all work.

Directions for Kids to Create Turkey Feather Dancing Belts:

Older children can draw feather shapes, at least a foot long, and cut them out. If your paper isn't colored, they can decorate with paints, markers or crayons first. For younger children who haven't mastered cutting, let them color first and cut the shapes out for them. The fun part is that even three year olds, with supervision, can then "fringe" the feathers with scissors. Hole punch holes in the tops of each feather and let the kids string them on the belt. Tie the belt, snug but not too tight with the tail feathers in the back.

Go to a full length mirror so each kid can admire their own feathers!

Now, turn on some music and have a turkey parade and dance party! My son has a Thanksgiving season birthday so we used this idea at his birthday party instead of a game. The kids loved it. You can do this for no occasion at all, or take this idea along with you to the Thanksgiving family gathering to give the kids a chance to get out some energy. It's a great classroom activity for preschool or elementary school that can really liven up a Fall party or Thanksgiving play.

This activity lets kids use coloring, cutting and stringing skills as well as pretend play and gross motor skills. It is the process that is important, not the product. The feathers need not be perfect for your child to gobble up lots of fun with this craft!

Learn more about this author, Angela La Fon.
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