Thanksgiving is just around the corner and for us, that means some dinosaur crafting! Today we’re sharing our thankful dinosaurs, our prehistoric twist on the common Thankgiving turkey craft.

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A note about Thanksgiving

We’re not American (or Canadian), so we don’t traditionally celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s not a holiday and we don’t spend hours cooking and visiting with family.

However, we do understand the concept of giving thanks. This year, more than most, it is a year to give thanks and a create a new tradition for our LDA. But as with any of our crafts, they work better with a prehistoric twist.

This is what we came up with.

Feathered dinosaurs

Some dinosaurs are known to have had feathers, and not just those that resembled early birds. The 1.5 tonne, 9 metre long Yutyrannus Huali, the beautiful feathered tyrant discovered in China in 2012, is the largest dinosaur discovered at present with evidence of feathers.

However, a more recent discovery suggests that all dinosaurs had some form of feathers, even the Tyrannosaurus Rex. The Kulindadromeus zabaikalicus was a feathered dinosaur discovered in Russia in 2014. It is an ‘ornithischian’ or beaked dinosaur, which is a group quite distinct from the theropods which are otherwise known to have had feathers (from which birds actually descended).

This discovery shows that not just those dinosaurs which were most closely related to birds had feathers. Instead, it is more likely that all dinosaurs had feathers, just like mammals all have some type of hair.

Artist's rendition of Yutyrannus Huali image by AMNH

Feathered thankful dinosaurs

This dinosaur is inspired by the common thankful turkey paper crafts.

Basically, if we could add feathers to a turkey or an image of a turkey, why couldn’t we add them to a dinosaur? After all, it seems that most dinosaurs once had feathers.

And why does it have to be a picture? Why can’t it be a toy?

At least that was the concept.

What we came up with is a toy dinosaur wearing a ‘skirt’ of thankful feathers. It’s just as cute and easy as the paper thankful turkey, but it’s a little more fun – and more suited to a little dinosaur lover.

A RAWRsome thankful dinosaur; easy Thanksgiving craft for dinosaur fans

Our supplies

Before we get to our dinosaur Thankgiving craft idea, there are a few supplies that you will need.

Some coloured card stock, in bright colours. Traditionally, for these types of crafts, you would use autumnal colours and the colours of turkey feathers. For some reason, almost all of our a cardstock was missing – I’m not sure what craft project is responsible for it – so our feathers look rather beachy.
Sharp scissors, preferably detail craft scissors, which are great for cutting paper.
Black text marker (relatively fine-tipped).
A toy dinosaur – whatever is your favourite. We used our T-Rex, though the Brachiosaurus also looked quite thankful to be included.
A piece of string, long enough to go around the dinosaur’s waist and tie in a bow.
Sticky tape, for ease and to avoid mess.

What you need to make a thankful dinosaur

Suitable for small children – with some assistance

Basically, I did the cutting and writing. Our LDA could have written on each of the feathers but she has trouble fitting things in a small space.

Our LDA chose the dinosaur, came up with the things that she is thankful for and assembled the feathered waistband.

And, of course, she is thankful for dinosaurs.