How to Make a Fun Turkey Pumpkin Craft for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time to break out the fall decorations! One of the best ways to get in the holiday spirit is by making festive DIY crafts with your family. A turkey pumpkin is a classic Thanksgiving decoration that is fun and easy to make. In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll explain how to transform a plain pumpkin into an adorable turkey using simple craft supplies.

Overview of the Turkey Pumpkin Craft

The concept behind this Thanksgiving craft is to take a small pie pumpkin or faux pumpkin and turn it into the body of a turkey. You’ll add colored paper for the feathers, clay or felt for the head and feet, and googly eyes and other embellishments for the face. The results are a whimsical turkey pumpkin that looks great displayed on your mantel, table, or front stoop. Kids of all ages will have a blast making this project alongside their parents or caregivers.

Supplies You’ll Need

• Small pie pumpkin or faux/craft pumpkin
• Construction paper in fall colors
• Googly eyes
• Orange craft foam or felt
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors
• washable markers
• Brown pipe cleaner

Optional

• Mod Podge
• Feathers
• Model Magic/Sculpey clay
• Wiggle eyes
• Twine

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make your own turkey pumpkin

Step 1: Paint and Decorate the Pumpkin

If your pumpkin is unpainted start by painting it orange using acrylic craft paint. Once dry use brown and yellow paint to add “feathers” in strokes, dots, and other textures.

Let kids decorate the pumpkin with washable markers in zig-zags, dots, and swirls to look like feathers. Mod Podge can be brushed over the marker when dry to seal it.

Step 2: Create the Head

For the turkey’s head, cut a teardrop shape from orange craft foam or felt. Glue on googly eyes near the top wider edge. Below the eyes, cut an orange triangle for the beak and glue in place.

Alternatively, shape a head and beak from clay and let firm up before gluing to the pumpkin. Add wiggle eyes for a fun touch!

Step 3: Add the Feet

Cut four small orange triangles from craft foam or felt for the feet. Glue or tape them near the base of the pumpkin, pointed tips facing outwards.

For sturdier feet, roll small balls of clay and press to flatten slightly before gluing to the pumpkin.

Step 4: Make and Attach the Feathers

Cut feather shapes from construction paper in fall colors like orange, yellow, brown, and red. Glue feathers across the back and sides of the pumpkin, staggering and overlapping them.

For extra flair, cut longer quill feathers and insert them behind the shorter feathers. The feather colors and placement create the turkey’s tail.

Step 5: Add Final Embellishments

Use a brown pipe cleaner to shape and glue on the turkey’s wattle below its beak. Add extra details like a red snood hanging from the head, twine wrapped around its neck, leaves and berries for garnish.

Get creative with additional feathers, glitter, fabric, raffia, pom poms, or anything else to customize your turkey! Display your turkey pumpkin and enjoy it throughout the Thanksgiving season.

Tips and Ideas

• Use a small sugar pie or Cinderella pumpkin for easier crafting. Larger carving pumpkins work too.

• Paint and decorate the pumpkin 1-2 days before assembly so paint has time to dry.

• Let kids customize their turkey’s feathers, colors, and embellishments.

• Insert floral picks behind feathers for extra stability and height.

• Place your turkey on a tray or cake stand for dramatic display.

• Save pumpkin guts/seeds to roast for snacking while crafting.

• Construct turkey heads and feet early and allow to dry overnight before attaching.

• Display your turkey pumpkin after Thanksgiving for a cute fall decoration.

Creative Variations

Part of the fun of crafting a turkey pumpkin is thinking of unique ways to make it your own. Here are some creative variations to try:

• Use patterned scrapbook paper for fancier feathers

• Craft feathers from faux leaves and metallic acrylic paints

• Attach extra heads and feet to make a turkey family

• Use bright colors like blues and pinks for a rainbow turkey

• Incorporate mini gourds, pinecones, and foliage for an autumnal look

• Turn the pumpkin sideways to look like a turkey drumstick

• Use multiple mini pumpkins in a row for a turkey conga line!

Displaying Your Turkey Pumpkin

Once completed, your DIY turkey pumpkin makes an adorable addition to your Thanksgiving decor. Here are some ways to show off your creation:

• Perch on the mantel or shelf surrounded by fall garlands

• Use as a centerpiece on the dining room table or buffet

• Place near the front door to greet guests with seasonal charm

• Line a front walkway or porch with turkey pumpkins

• Give as Thanksgiving hostess gifts or favors for friends and family

• Decorate classroom doors at school for a festive spirit boost

However you choose to display it, your handcrafted turkey pumpkin is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face this Thanksgiving!

Fun Facts About Turkeys

Here are some fascinating turkey facts to get you inspired as you craft your pumpkin:

• There are 6 species of wild turkeys native to North America. The most common is the Eastern Wild Turkey.

• Today’s domesticated turkeys descend from wild turkeys in Mexico that were first domesticated by Native Americans over 2000 years ago.

• Turkey feathers were used historically by Native Americans for ceremonial clothing and blankets. The bones were used to make needles.

• Male turkeys are called “toms.” Females are called “hens.” Baby turkeys are called “poults.”

• Mature male turkeys (toms) have colorful plumage and the identifiable “beard” of black, hair-like feathers on their breast.

• The average lifespan of a domestic turkey is 3 – 4 years. Wild turkeys can live longer, up to 10 years.

• Only male turkeys gobble. Female turkeys make a clicking noise.

• The wishbone of a turkey comes from the clavicle bone and is considered lucky if you break it!

I hope these fun facts get your creative juices flowing as you craft the perfect turkey pumpkin. Enjoy bringing some handmade charm to your Thanksgiving celebrations this year!