Thanksgiving Poetry for Kids (6 Free Printables)

Thanksgiving poetry for kids has always been a favorite in our home, bringing a little extra warmth to the holiday season.

Whether you’re a teacher adding some festive fun to your classroom or a parent looking for something creative around the dinner table, these Thanksgiving poems and coloring pages make for the perfect activity.

A collage of Thanksgiving-themed poetry printables for kids, featuring colorful, hand-colored turkey illustrations alongside poems titled "Turkey Turkey," "If I Were a Turkey," "The Night Before Thanksgiving," "Albuquerque Turkey," "Five Little Turkeys," and "Mr. Turkey." The middle section displays the text “Thanksgiving Poetry Printables” in bold white letters over a brown background. At the bottom, a copy of the book How to Catch a Turkey is shown next to a printed and colored “Mr. Turkey” poem.

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Thanksgiving poems for kids

As November approaches, Thanksgiving poems for elementary students become a fun way to engage young minds with themes of gratitude, humor, and creativity.

These free Thanksgiving worksheets for kids bring each poem to life, combining the magic of verse with hands-on coloring activities.

Discover lively verses that not only entertain but also impart meaningful lessons, from whimsical turkey tales to heartfelt reflections on the holiday season.

Each poem is crafted to be both educational and enjoyable, making it perfect for the entire family to enjoy together.

Table of Contents

Five Little Turkeys

This lively Thanksgiving poem follows five playful turkeys preparing for the big day.

As each one gets into mischief and disappears, kids practice counting backward, making this a fun and educational choice for young readers.

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

In this humorous Thanksgiving poem, kids meet a turkey from Albuquerque who isn’t keen on becoming Thanksgiving dinner.

With playful language and a theme of individuality, this poem encourages children to stand up for themselves in a whimsical way.

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

This poem tells the story of three clever turkeys each plotting their escape from the dinner table.

From hiding in haystacks to sneaking into trees, these turkeys avoid their fate, leaving the farmer without his holiday feast in a humorous twist.

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.

Encourage the kids to write their own poetry with a thankful acrostic poem template free.

Turkey Turkey

A short and sweet Thanksgiving poem that explores the world from a turkey’s perspective.

Through the eyes of the turkey, children can imagine what it would be like to roam free in the woods.

This poem encourages empathy and understanding for these feathered creatures while being a fun and thought-provoking read.

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 imaginative poem lets kids explore what it might feel like to be a turkey on Thanksgiving, playfully capturing the turkey’s thoughts as it faces the holiday meal.

It’s both entertaining and thought-provoking, encouraging empathy.

When they have colored this poem in, encourage the kids to write with our free if I were a turkey writing prompt.

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

With a focus on the turkey as the centerpiece of Thanksgiving. This poem provides a lighthearted portrayal of Mr. Turkey’s role in the holiday celebration.

Through playful language and humorous scenarios. Kids learn about the tradition of feasting and giving thanks while being entertained by Mr. Turkey’s antics.

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 free Thanksgiving poetry printables are a fantastic way to add a creative and educational element to your holiday activities.

Here are some engaging ideas on how to make the most of these Thanksgiving-themed poem printables:

Print out the Thanksgiving color pages and introduce each poem by reading it aloud. Discuss themes, imagery, and meanings, then let students color the pictures while reflecting on the poem. This integrates literature and art, promoting creativity, comprehension, and conversation.
Use these Thanksgiving poems as a focal point for homeschool poetry activities. Create two learning centers, one for reading and discussing each poem, and another for coloring the associated pictures. This approach provides a multisensory experience and caters to varied learning styles.
Add a festive touch by creating a Thanksgiving-themed bulletin board with the colored poems. Displaying these on a classroom wall allows students to share their work, decorating the space while showcasing their creative and literary skills to the school community.
At family Thanksgiving gatherings, set up a craft station with printables and coloring supplies for kids. This activity keeps them engaged with the holiday theme and offers a creative break from the holiday bustle.
Add these Thanksgiving poem printables to a seasonal reading corner or classroom library. Kids can explore the poems independently or in pairs, and the coloring pages make for a calming, quiet activity.
Organize poetry reading sessions where kids take turns reading the poems aloud. Encourage them to discuss their favorite lines, share insights, and ask questions, building public speaking skills and critical thinking.

These Thanksgiving poetry activities combine learning with fun, making holiday celebrations both meaningful and memorable for kids of all ages.

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 1 May 2025 by Clare Brown