Turkeys Baby Storytime
Gobble, gobble, gobble! Choose one of the following turkey-themed baby storytime books and pair it with a couple of these songs and playtime ideas for more engagement and fun in your next Baby Storytime. I recommend repeating many of your rhymes and movement songs each week (repetition is key for cognitive development!), but sprinkling in new thematic songs and activities like the ones below will keep things fresh and exciting. Visit The Youth Desk’s Baby Storytime page for more detailed guidance.
Turkey Baby Storytime Books
Turkey Baby Storytime Songs & Rhymes
Here are my favorite turkey-themed movement songs and rhymes for babies.
Five Little Turkeys
Place five turkeys on a board and remove them when appropriate, or just count down with your fingers!
Five little turkeys standing by the door
One waddled off and then there were four.
Four little turkeys under a tree
One waddled off and then there were three.
Three little turkeys with nothing to do
Another waddled off and then there were two.
Two little turkeys in the noon day sun
One waddled off and then there was one.
One little turkey better run away
For soon will come Thanksgiving Day!
Turkey Pokey
Put your right wing in, put your right wing out (gently place baby’s elbow or hand in)
Put your right wing in, and you shake it all about
You do the Turkey Pokey and you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about!
Put your left wing in…right foot…left foot…tail feathers…
Chicken in the Barnyard
Chicken in the barnyard (make a circle on baby’s tummy)
Staying out of trouble
Along comes a turkey and (creep fingers up to baby’s chin)
Gobble! Gobble! Gobble! (tickle baby under chin)
(Credit: Pasadena Public Library)
Turkey Wore a Red Feather
Place colored feathers on turkey as you sing, like Miss Sarah!
Turkey wore a red feather, red feather, red feather
Turkey wore a red feather
All day long…
Turkey Baby Playtime Activities
Ending storytime with free play is an excellent way for babies and caregivers to socialize and observe others. You don’t need anything fancy. Simply setting out blocks, musical instruments, or bean bags would suffice, but here are some turkey-themed ideas to further enhance your program.
Mess-Free Turkey Art
Use a Sharpie marker to draw the outline of a turkey on a gallon Ziploc bag. Add dollops of paint in the bag and securely seal it with duct tape. Tape the bag to the ground for baby to smoosh and moosh with their hands. You can also place a piece of white cardstock in the bag for baby to “paint.” Caregivers can cut the bag open once home to remove baby’s artwork and let it dry.
Feathers Sensory Bin
Fill a bin with feathers, that’s it! Encourage caregivers to name the colors, discuss how the feathers feel, tickle baby’s forehead with them, and toss them in the air.
