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Thanksgiving Poems for Kids Printable to Read and Color

Thanksgiving poems for kids printable sets have become one of our favorite low-key activities during the holiday week.

I still remember the first year we tried them, my son giggled all the way through Albuquerque Turkey and insisted on giving every bird purple feathers.

It was such a simple thing, but it stuck. Now, we print out a new set each year, read the poems aloud (with dramatic voices, of course), and turn the pages into colorful decorations for the fridge or classroom wall.

If you’re looking for an easy way to mix creativity, reading, and holiday fun, these printable Thanksgiving poems are a sweet way to slow down and enjoy the season with your kids.

Six printable Thanksgiving poems for kids, each with illustrated turkeys and coloring areas.

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Thanksgiving Poems for Kids

As November rolls in, Thanksgiving poems for elementary students become a cozy, creative way to celebrate the season.

Whether you’re working with your own kids at home or reading aloud in the classroom, poetry adds warmth, humor, and just the right touch of learning to your Thanksgiving plans.

These free Thanksgiving printables bring each verse to life with coloring pages that kids love. It’s not just about rhyming turkeys (though there are a few!), these poems spark imagination, encourage empathy, and offer gentle reflections on gratitude and tradition.

Here’s a closer look at what’s included:

Five Little Turkeys

A playful counting rhyme that follows five mischievous turkeys as they slowly disappear before Thanksgiving.

Great for younger kids practicing backward counting, with a bit of giggling along the way.

A Thanksgiving-themed kids activity setup featuring the book How to Catch a Turkey with a bright orange cover and a colorful turkey illustration, placed next to a printed and colored “Five Little Turkeys” poem. The poem counts down from five turkeys to one with playful rhymes, and a pair of markers lies above the items on a white background.

Albuquerque Turkey

This silly poem introduces a quirky turkey who’s not planning to be dinner anytime soon.

With plenty of humor and a fun message about individuality, it’s always a hit with kids who love a good twist.

A Thanksgiving poetry printable titled “Albuquerque Turkey,” featuring a humorous poem about a pet turkey and two colorful turkey illustrations with rainbow feathers. The printable is surrounded by six colored markers on the left and autumn leaves at the top, creating a festive, kid-friendly setup.

The Night Before Thanksgiving

Three clever turkeys take matters into their own feathers in this imaginative escape story. As they outwit the farmer, kids are drawn into a tale that’s equal parts funny and suspenseful.

Want to keep the creativity going? Try pairing this with our free thankful acrostic poem template.

A Thanksgiving kids' poetry printable titled “The Night Before Thanksgiving,” featuring a playful poem about three turkeys planning to hide before the holiday. At the bottom, three hand-colored turkeys are illustrated—one behind a haystack, one near a tree, and one holding a hatchet—accented with plastic gem decorations and autumn leaves in the corner.

Turkey Turkey

Told from the turkey’s point of view, this short poem gives kids a glimpse into the world of woodland creatures around Thanksgiving.

It’s thoughtful but light, with a gentle nudge toward empathy.

Thanksgiving poetry printable titled “Turkey Turkey,” featuring a humorous poem advising the turkey to hide in the woods so people can eat pizza instead. The page includes hand-colored illustrations of two leafy trees, a brown turkey, and a slice of pizza, surrounded by colorful craft gems and fall leaves for decoration.

If I Were A Turkey

This one always leads to big conversations. What would it feel like to be a turkey on Thanksgiving?

With a bit of humor and a lot of heart, this poem invites kids to step into someone else’s shoes, or feathers.

After coloring the page, they can extend the idea with our free if I were a turkey writing prompt inspired by this poem.

A Thanksgiving poetry printable titled “If I Were A Turkey,” featuring a humorous poem where a turkey politely declines a dinner invitation to avoid being eaten. The page includes a brightly colored cartoon turkey illustration, surrounded by fall leaves, colorful gem decorations, and a set of dual-tip markers.

Mr. Turkey

A cheerful, rhyming poem about the star of the Thanksgiving table.

Mr. Turkey may be nervous, but his antics make this poem one of the more lighthearted reads in the set, perfect for younger kids just getting into poetry.

A festive Thanksgiving setup featuring the children’s book How to Catch a Turkey with a bright orange cover and a colorful turkey illustration, placed next to a poetry printable titled “Mr. Turkey.” The printable includes a rhyming poem warning the turkey to run and hide before Thanksgiving, and a hand-colored cartoon turkey with vibrant rainbow feathers is shown below the text.

How to Use the Thanksgiving Poetry Printables

These Thanksgiving poetry printables are an easy, low-prep way to blend reading, creativity, and seasonal fun.

Start by reading each poem aloud, then let kids color the matching page. It’s a quiet activity that still sparks conversation and imagination.

In homeschool or classroom settings, try setting up two stations, one for reading and one for coloring. It keeps things moving and works for different learning styles.

Finished pages make great seasonal displays, whether on a bulletin board or just taped up at home.

At family gatherings, set out the poems with markers to keep kids busy during the holiday rush.

Or add them to a reading nook for quiet time. You can even hold a mini poetry reading, kids love taking turns sharing their favorite turkey tales.

A collection of six Thanksgiving poetry printables for kids, each featuring a short, playful poem with titles like “Turkey Turkey,” “If I Were A Turkey,” “The Night Before Thanksgiving,” “Albuquerque Turkey,” “Five Little Turkeys,” and “Mr. Turkey.” All pages are decorated with hand-colored turkey illustrations and festive fall elements, creating a fun and educational holiday activity set.

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Last Updated on 6 August 2025 by Clare Brown

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