Animals · A drawing idea for little artists
How to Draw a Cute Turkey for Kids
Big bright eyes, tiny feet and a fan of fluffy feathers. A cheerful drawing idea for fall and Thanksgiving.
For iPad & iPhone · In-app purchases
These 3 pictures show selected moments from the drawing. For every step in between and a guide on your canvas, get the full lesson in LittlePaper.
This cartoon turkey puts a friendly face in front of a broad fan of feathers. The big eyes are the starting point; the rounded body, little feet and layered tail build around them. Brown, cream and coral crayon colors make the finished bird a cheerful fall or Thanksgiving drawing idea.
The three pictures below show selected highlights, from the eye guides to the developing bird and colored finish. Blue guide marks remain visible in parts of the supplied artwork. They help show additions, rather than requiring blue feathers in your own drawing. Continue in LittlePaper for the complete sequence.
A few things to start with
Paper, a pencil, brown and cream crayons, yellow for the beak, and coral or red for the bright accents. Leave space beside the turkey if you want to add a Thanksgiving message. You can also draw in LittlePaper.
A little peek at the drawing
1 / 3
Selected stages · The complete drawing sequence is in the app.
Shapes, character & color
A look at the drawing stages.
Try the shape tips below on paper. When you’re ready to draw along with each small step, continue in LittlePaper.
- 01Selected stage
Begin with the bright eyes
The first preview focuses on two large eyes with small white highlights. Blue lines mark the eye shapes. Leave plenty of room outside them for a rounded head and much more space around the head for the broad tail.
Begin with the bright eyes · Preview image 1 of 3 - 02Selected stage
Build a rounded bird and tail guides
The later picture shows the head, beak, wattle, rounded body, side wings and little feet. Broad blue curves begin the tail behind the bird. Notice how those curves sit outside the body, leaving the face as the main focal point.
Build a rounded bird and tail guides · Preview image 2 of 3 - 03Selected stage
A warm fall color palette
Brown fills the main bird and inner tail, cream lightens the outer fan, and coral accents the side feathers. A yellow beak and orange feet add small bright spots. Keep the tail scallops clear as you layer short crayon strokes.
A warm fall color palette · Preview image 3 of 3
A little practice goes a long way
Make room for your own ideas.
Keep the eyes near the center with room around them for the head. Starting too close to the page edge leaves little space for the feather fan.
Think of the outer tail as a row of big rounded hills. Larger scallops are easier to color than lots of tiny feather lines.
Use pale cream around the feather tips and deeper brown closer to the body. Keep the yellow beak and red wattle distinct from the face.
A few drawing questions
Can we use this for a Thanksgiving drawing activity?
Yes. The friendly turkey works on a fall picture or a handmade Thanksgiving card. Leave space around the feather fan for a greeting or a few things your child is thankful for.
Why are some of the lines blue?
The supplied preview uses blue guide lines to show parts of the drawing process. Your own outline can use pencil or another color; blue feathers are not required.
How do I stop the tail from crowding the face?
Plan a wide area around the body before adding the scallops. Keep the face inside its own rounded outline, with the feather fan sitting behind it.
Are all the turkey steps on this page?
No. Three selected stages introduce the shapes and finish. The full guided turkey drawing is available in LittlePaper.
The next little step is yours
Like the idea?
Let’s make it together.
Open this drawing idea in LittlePaper for the complete sequence. Follow a guide, pause when you need, and add your own colors.
Download LittlePaper from the App Store, then open the drawing idea inside the app.
Every step, at your pace.
See the full drawing sequence. Pause, replay, and take another look whenever a shape needs practice.
A guide where you draw.
Trace on the canvas, then try your own lines with a finger or Apple Pencil on a compatible iPad.
Make it yours. Keep the making.
Add crayon color, replay your creation, and give your picture a home in a digital 3D book.
