Tom The Thankful Turkey | Thanksgiving Preschool Bible Lesson

🦃 Tom the Thankful Turkey Who Couldn’t Stop Gobbling “Thank You!”

(A preschool Bible lesson about gratitude and joyfully thanking God in everything!)

With a toddler-friendly Bible story, hands-on craft, movement game, and catchy song, this lesson is perfect for Sunday School, preschool, children’s church, and homeschool.

🌿 Bible Theme:

Thankfulness and giving praise to God.

📖 Bible Verse (Toddler Version):

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” — Psalm 107:1

💬 Main Point to Repeat with Kids:

“I can thank God every day!”

📘 Toddler-Friendly Story:

Tom the turkey loved to gobble, gobble, gobble all day long! But there was something special about Tom—he didn’t just gobble for food or fun… he gobbled “Thank You!” everywhere he went!

When the farmer gave him corn, he gobbled, “Thank you!”
When the sun came up, he gobbled, “Thank you!”
When his friends played in the leaves, he gobbled, “Thank you!”

The other animals laughed. “Tom, you say thank you too much!” they teased.
But Tom just smiled. “I can’t help it—I’m thankful!”

One chilly morning, a big wind blew through the farmyard and knocked over all the animals’ hay piles! Tom flapped his wings and helped them stack it back up.
The cows, sheep, and chickens were so happy they all said, “Thank you, Tom!”

Tom puffed out his feathers proudly and said, “You’re welcome—but don’t forget to thank God! He’s the one who gives us everything good!”

That night, as the stars twinkled above the barn, Tom looked up and whispered one more gobble…
“Thank you, God—for today.”

The End.

🎲 Activity – Thankful Feather Toss

Have kids toss paper “feathers” (cut from colored paper) into a basket. Each time they toss one in, they say something they’re thankful for.
💬 Example: “I’m thankful for my family!” or “I’m thankful for my toys!”

Tom The Thankful Turkey Thanksgiving Paper Plate Craft For Kids Sunday School by Church House Collection Store

🎨 Craft – Tom the Thankful Turkey

Supplies:

Paper plate (for the body)
Brown construction paper (for head and wings)
Colorful paper feathers (red, orange, yellow)
Googly eyes or marker
Glue stick
Crayons or markers

Directions:

Cut out and glue the turkey’s head and wings to the paper plate.
Glue on colorful feathers around the back edge.
Write one thing you’re thankful for on each feather.
Add eyes, beak, and feet.
Label it: “Tom the Thankful Turkey Who Couldn’t Stop Gobbling ‘Thank You!’”

🦃 Variation: Use this as a classroom gratitude wall by hanging all the turkeys together!

🎵 Song – “Gobble, Gobble, Thank You, Lord!”

(Tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)

🎶
If you’re thankful and you know it, gobble loud! (Gobble gobble!)
If you’re thankful and you know it, gobble loud! (Gobble gobble!)
If you’re thankful and you know it, then your heart will surely show it,
If you’re thankful and you know it, gobble loud! (Gobble gobble!) 🎶

📝 Poem – Tom’s Gobbly Gratitude

Tom the turkey, full of cheer,
Gobbling thanks all through the year!
Leaves may fall and winds may blow,
But thankful hearts still always glow!

Tom The Thankful Turkey | Thanksgiving Preschool Bible Lesson By ChurchHouseCollectionStore.com Free

🖍️ Coloring Page

Let your little learners bring Tom the Thankful Turkey to life with this adorable Thanksgiving Bible coloring page! This printable features Tom the Thankful Turkey helping his farm friends stack hay. You can download the free pdf coloring page of Tom The Turkey right here: CLICK HERE

🎭 Pretend Play Game – The Thankful Parade

Have kids pretend to be thankful turkeys marching in a “Gobble Parade.”
They can flap their wings, wobble, and call out things they’re thankful for as they walk around the room.
💬 “Thank you for my mommy!” “Thank you for my snack!”

🦃 Snack Idea – Tom the Thankful Turkey Snack Cups

Turn snack time into a thankful moment with these adorable Tom the Thankful Turkey Snack Cups!

Each white styrofoam cup is filled with Cheetos, decorated with a Tom the Thankful Turkey sticker, and finished off with one bright feather taped to the back. It’s a simple, fun, and colorful snack that kids will love—perfect for a Thanksgiving Bible lesson on gratitude!

You’ll Need:

Small white styrofoam cups
Printable Tom the Thankful Turkey sticker
Bright craft feathers (any color)
Cheetos or cheese puffs
Tape or glue
Optional: Print Tom the turkey sticker template and stick to the front of cup. (click here)

Directions:

Print and cut your turkey sticker.
Stick it onto the front of your cup.
Fill the cup with Cheetos.
Tape or glue one feather to the back.
Hand them out and remind the kids to “gobble” up thankfulness today!

✨ A quick, no-mess snack that adds cheerful Thanksgiving fun to your preschool Bible time.

🎵 Lyrics: “Gobble, Gobble, Thank You, God!”

(Verse 1)
Tom the turkey woke up one day,
Feathers bright in red and gray.
He flapped his wings and looked around,
“Thank You, God!” was his favorite sound!

(Chorus)
Gobble, gobble, thank You, God! 🦃
For the sun and for the sod!
Gobble, gobble, thank You, Lord!
You give blessings we adore! 🙌

(Verse 2)
He saw the sheep and said, “Hello!”
“God made you with wooly snow!”
The cow said “Moo!” and Tom replied,
“Thank You, God, You’re by our side!”

(Chorus)
Gobble, gobble, thank You, God! 🦃
For the sun and for the sod!
Gobble, gobble, thank You, Lord!
You give blessings we adore! 🙌

(Bridge)
Flap your wings and stomp your feet,
Clap your hands to the thankful beat!
Spin around, then shout hooray,
God gives joy in every day! 🎉

(Final Chorus)
Gobble, gobble, thank You, God! 🦃
For the sun and for the sod!
Gobble, gobble, thank You, Lord!
You give blessings we adore! 🙌

🙏 Closing Prayer (Repeat After Me):

Dear God,
Thank You for my family.
Thank You for my friends.
Thank You for everything You give.
I will always say—
“Thank You!”
Amen.

💌 Optional Take-Home Note for Parents:

Today we learned about Tom the Thankful Turkey Who Couldn’t Stop Gobbling “Thank You!”
Ask your child what they’re thankful for and write it on a paper feather together.
Display it on your fridge to remind your family to thank God every day!

💬 Let’s Talk About It (Teacher/Parent Prompts):

🦃 What did Tom do when others teased him?
Tom didn’t get upset or stop being thankful — he kept saying “Thank You!” with a happy heart. He showed kindness and joy even when others laughed at him.

🙏 Who did Tom remember to thank for everything good?
Tom remembered to thank God for all the good things — the sunshine, the food, his friends, and every blessing.

💛 What are three things you can thank God for today?
(Preschoolers can answer out loud, but here are sample responses:)

My family 👨👩👧👦
My friends 🧡
My food 🍎 or my home 🏡

💖 How Everyone Can Join In:

For children who can’t use their hands, let them choose a feather color or point with their eyes or head.
Adults can help by writing what the child says aloud or whispers.
Every “thank you” counts—God loves to hear it in every way!

🦃 Reflection – Gobbles of Gratitude

Just like Tom the Turkey, we can fill our days with “thank you” gobbles to God!
Being thankful makes our hearts happy, and it helps others feel loved too.

💖 How Everyone Can Join In — Adaptive Learning Ideas for “Tom the Thankful Turkey”

At Church House Collection, we believe every child should be able to celebrate God’s love and joyfully join in Bible time, no matter their ability level.
Below are simple, heartfelt ways to include all children in each part of the Tom the Thankful Turkey preschool Bible lesson.

📖 Story Time – Tom the Thankful Turkey Who Couldn’t Stop Gobbling “Thank You!”

Goal: Understanding gratitude and joy in God’s blessings

Adaptations:

Visual Support: Use large printed character cards of Tom, the cow, sheep, and chicken. Children who are nonverbal can point or look toward the character as they appear in the story.
Audio Support: Play the story aloud using an expressive reader or pre-recorded narration with sound effects (turkey gobbles, wind, animal noises).
Interactive Cues: Encourage children to raise their hands, clap, or make the “gobble gobble” sound whenever they hear Tom say “Thank You!”
For Children with Limited Movement: Let them press a button on a talking device that plays a prerecorded “Thank You, God!” sound.
For Visually Impaired Children: Use tactile props (a real feather, soft hay, a small cup, a piece of paper for the haystack) to represent parts of the story as it’s told.

🎨 Craft – Tom the Thankful Turkey Paper Plate Craft

Goal: Expressing gratitude through art

Adaptations:

For Children with Limited Hand Use:
- Allow use of large, easy-grip glue sticks or Velcro stickers instead of traditional glue.
- Have an adult or buddy help position the feathers, while the child gives verbal or eye-gaze choices (“red feather” or “yellow feather”).
For Nonverbal Learners: Use a choice board with feather colors and simple images so they can pick visually.
For Sensory Sensitivity: Offer smooth paper feathers instead of real craft feathers (which can feel ticklish).
For Children Using Wheelchairs: Bring the craft supplies to their table height. They can participate using a headband pointer, mouth stylus, or eye gaze to choose materials while an assistant applies them.
Reflection Moment: When each child finishes, have them name (or choose) one thing they’re thankful for, and an adult writes it on a feather for them.

🎲 Activity – Thankful Feather Toss

Goal: Encouraging verbal gratitude and group participation

Adaptations:

For Mobility Differences:
- Instead of tossing feathers, allow children to drop them into a basket from their lap or table.
- If movement is limited, have an adult or peer partner toss while the child names something thankful.
For Nonverbal Communication:
- Provide picture cards of thankful items (family, pets, food, home, sunshine). The child can point or nod to select one.
For Low Vision: Use brightly colored feathers with high contrast (red, yellow, orange) and a larger basket or bowl for visibility.
For Auditory Sensitivity: Keep background noise low. If music is played, offer headphones or a quieter round.

🎵 Song – “Gobble, Gobble, Thank You, God!”

Goal: Praising God through joyful movement and music

Adaptations:

For Limited Mobility: Encourage hand motions, clapping, or tapping on a drum instead of full-body dancing.
For Wheelchair Users: They can “flap wings” by raising arms or hands, or move their chair forward/backward in rhythm.
For Hearing Impairment: Provide printed lyrics and simple sign language for key words like God, thank you, happy, and love.
For Speech Delay: Use echo-style singing—leaders sing one line, children repeat. Even children who can’t sing can participate by clapping or mouthing along.
For Sensory Needs: Dim lighting and use a calm, joyful tone. Encourage kids to move gently to the beat.

🖍️ Coloring Page – Tom the Thankful Turkey and His Friends

Goal: Reinforcing the story message of gratitude

Adaptations:

For Fine Motor Challenges: Use larger crayons, markers with adaptive grips, or sponge paint daubers.
For Children with Limited Arm Movement:
- Secure the paper to the table with tape so it doesn’t shift.
- Allow a teacher or parent to hold a marker with the child’s hand as a guide.
For Children Without Arms:
- They can use a headband stylus or mouth stylus to color digitally or direct an adult in color choices (“green grass,” “red feather”).
For Visual Impairment: Offer a tactile version where outlines are traced with glue and dried so the lines can be felt.

🍎 Snack – Tom the Thankful Turkey Cheeto Cup

Goal: Sharing gratitude during snack time

Adaptations:

For Children with Dietary Restrictions: Offer puffed veggie snacks, gluten-free alternatives, or soft snacks instead of Cheetos.
For Children with Limited Hand Use: Serve with a small spoon, or have a peer buddy help hold the cup.
For Sensory Needs: Some children may dislike the texture of Cheetos; let them use tongs or napkins to hold the snack.
For Nonverbal Gratitude Expression: After snack time, each child can show a “thankful card” or point to a picture of what they’re thankful for (family, God, food, etc.).
Inclusion Reminder: Make sure every child has their name or Tom sticker on their cup for ownership and joy!

💬 Closing Prayer – Repeat After Me Style

Goal: Thanking God together

Adaptations:

For Nonverbal Students: Allow them to participate through gestures — hands over heart, eyes closed, or smiling during prayer.
For Children Who Use Devices: They can press a button programmed to say “Thank You, God!”
For Sensory Needs: Keep lights soft and voices gentle.

💗 Teacher Note:

Every “thank you” matters — spoken, signed, sung, or shown through a smile.
Children don’t have to do every motion or complete every craft perfectly to participate meaningfully. God delights in their hearts, not their precision.