Handprint Turkey: Fall Sensory Activity for Autism Support

The holidays are a wonderful time to get creative, especially when it comes to crafts that engage their senses and encourage fine motor skills. One fun and easy project to try this season is making a Handprint Turkey! Whether you’re looking for something to do at home or a hands-on activity for an ABA therapy session, this craft has benefits that go beyond just being cute.

If you’re new to sensory crafts, or if you’re looking to incorporate fun, engaging activities into your child’s ABA therapy or autism behavior support plan, this Handprint Turkey is a perfect choice!

What You’ll Need:

• Stick-on eyes
• Markers or crayons
• Pencil
• Colored paper (at least 3-4 colors)
• Scissors (with supervision)
• Glue
• Optional: glitter, stickers, or other embellishments

How to Make Your Handprint Turkey:

1. Gather Your Materials
   Make sure you have everything ready before you begin, including any sensory-friendly items like glitter or textured stickers for extra fun.
2. Trace Your Handprints
   Using a pencil, trace your hand on 4 different colors of paper. These handprints will form the feathers of your turkey!
3. Cut Out the Handprints
   Have your child help with cutting out the handprints if they’re ready to practice fine motor skills. For kids who may struggle with scissors, guiding their hand or having them tear the paper is another great way to build motor coordination.
4. Create the Turkey Body
   Choose one of the colored papers as the background and glue the handprint cutouts onto it in a fan shape to form the turkey’s feathers. Then, cut out a simple oval or 8-shape for the turkey’s body and head, and glue it in place.
5. Add Details
   Cut out a small triangle for the beak, and two little feet. Glue these pieces onto the body. Use markers to add eyes, a wattle (the red piece that hangs from the beak), and any other fun facial features. Stick-on eyes are also great for children who need a sensory-friendly option that doesn’t require precision.
6. Decorate Your Turkey!
   Let the creativity flow! Add glitter, stickers, and other fun decorations to personalize your turkey. This part of the craft is fantastic for children who enjoy sensory input like sparkly textures, which can provide a calming experience.

Why This Craft is Great for Children with Autism & ABA Therapy:

This Handprint Turkey craft has many benefits for children, especially those participating in ABA therapy. Here are a few reasons why it’s a sensory-friendly craft that can support your child’s development:

1. Fine Motor Skills Development
   Cutting out the handprints, gluing pieces together, and coloring all help improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
2. Sensory Integration
   The act of touching different textures, using glue, and decorating with glitter or stickers offers sensory input that can be calming and soothing for children with autism. Engaging in these activities in a safe and structured environment—like during ABA services—can help children feel more comfortable and engaged.
3. Encourages Creativity
   Creative activities allow children to express themselves and practice problem-solving. Crafting encourages them to think critically about what they want to create and how to use materials, which can increase their confidence and self-esteem.
4. Promotes Communication
   This craft encourages verbal and non-verbal communication. Whether you’re chatting with your child about the colors they’re using or helping them describe the turkey’s features, it provides an opportunity for practicing language skills in a fun, low-pressure setting.
5. Strengthens Focus and Attention
   Activities like this require children to focus and follow through with each step. As they complete the task, they also practice patience and perseverance—skills that are beneficial both in therapy and in everyday life.

Tips for Success in ABA Therapy Sessions:

• Use Visual Schedules: Having a visual schedule can help break down each step of the craft into manageable tasks, reducing frustration and increasing engagement.
• Incorporate Reinforcement: Positive reinforcement, such as praise or a preferred activity after completing a step, can motivate children to continue through the process.
• Use Sensory Breaks: If the activity becomes overwhelming, allow short breaks to reset and re-engage. Sensory breaks can help kids with autism stay calm and focused.

Crafting can be a powerful tool in autism behavior support because it encourages creative expression, strengthens motor skills, and provides sensory input. The Handprint Turkey craft is not only fun but can also be adapted to suit various needs and abilities, making it a great fit for both home-based activities and structured ABA therapy sessions.