Kids will love making this balloon craft to decorate the kids’ table, or just to add a bright element to typically drab Thanksgiving decor.
As Thanksgiving approaches, many families look for fun crafts and decorations to get into the holiday spirit. One popular activity is making balloon turkeys, which allows kids and adults alike to work together on an easy, festive project. In this article, I’ll walk through the steps and tips for crafting an adorable balloon turkey that will impress your family and friends!
Supplies Needed
- Balloons in orange, yellow, red, brown (9-12 balloons)
- Construction paper or fabric for feathers
- Googly eyes
- Orange foam or cardstock for beak and wattle
- Tape or glue
- String or curling ribbon
Shape the Head and Body
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Blow up a large orange balloon and tie off the end to create the turkey’s head and body Make sure to leave a 3-4 inch uninflated section at the tied end to form the neck,
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For a fuller body shape, blow up a second smaller orange balloon and nestle it underneath the large balloon.
Attach the Beak and Wattle
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Cut an orange triangle from foam or cardstock for the beak, Use glue or small pieces of tape to attach it to the turkey’s face
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Cut a reddish oval from foam or cardstock for the wattle. Attach it with glue or tape under the beak.
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Stick on googly eyes to finish the face.
Create the Feet
- Blow up two small brown balloons and tie them off. These will be the turkey’s feet. Use glue or tape to attach them near the tied neck end of the body.
Make the Fanned Tail
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Cut triangular feathers from construction paper or fabric. Use glue or tape to attach them in a fanned pattern to the untied end of the large orange balloon.
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Alternate the colors and overlap the feathers slightly for a full, realistic tail.
Craft the Wings
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Cut longer feather shapes from paper or fabric Glue or tape them to the side of the body in a curved wing shape.
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Make two wings with overlapping feathers in alternating fall colors.
Add Accents and Details
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Draw or glue on some ruffled feather textures to the turkey’s chest.
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Cut a red snood comb shape and attach it to the head with glue or tape.
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Cut a yellow or brown strip for the turkey’s gobbler and glue it to the chest.
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Tie a curling ribbon around the neck for a bowtie.
Display Your Turkey
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Once assembled, you can display your balloon turkey in a few different ways:
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Sit it on a flat surface, using the feet to help it stand.
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Tape or tie it onto a sturdy base like a box or inverted bowl.
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Hang it by tying ribbon to the neck and taping the ribbon to a wall or doorway.
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Insert it into a turkey-shaped cutout cardboard frame or wreath.
Turkey Decorating Ideas and Themes
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Get creative with different looks for your balloon turkey! Here are some fun themes:
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Traditional fall colors: oranges, browns, yellows, reds
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Vibrant tropical turkey: teals, bright greens, pinks
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Elegant white turkey with metallic accents
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Kids turkey with scribbles and handprint feathers
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Shimmery disco turkey with sparkling feathers
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Silly googly-eyed turkey with polka dot feathers
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Nature turkey with real leaves and flower feathers
Helpful Hints
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Use helium balloons for longer floating time. Or re-blow up air balloons as needed.
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Choose different balloon sizes to create shape and dimension.
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Glue gun works best but tape can also attach accessories.
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Draw details like ruffled feathers with permanent marker.
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Insert a weight in the bottom for stability if not hanging.
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Remake new tail feathers each year for a fresh look.
Fun Variations
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Make a flock of mini turkeys for a table centerpiece.
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Craft an owl, peacock, or rooster using the same techniques.
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Use red and green for a Christmas version.
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Add cowboy hat and bandana for a western turkey.
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Substitute balloons with painted toilet paper rolls.
Get Creative!
Making a balloon turkey is an enjoyable hands-on activity for autumn. Follow the basic steps then get creative with colors, textures, and poses. Display your feathered friend to get compliments from guests, then reuse the supplies to make it an annual tradition. With a little imagination and teamwork, you can craft the perfect turkey as the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving decor!
What you’ll need to make your own Turkey Balloon Craft:
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Download the Free Turkey Balloon Printable and trace the patterns onto cardstock paper.
Cut out the traced shapes with scissors. Cut two of each eye shape, one beak, one waddle and five feathers of different colors.
Use markers to draw lines down the centers of the feathers.
Before blowing up the balloon you will need to add water to the balloon to counteract the weight of the tail feathers. Add enough water to the balloon that it is the size of a normal size water balloon. Blow the rest of the balloon up like you normally would. Set the balloon into a jar lid to hold is steady.
Use glue dots to attach the beak, waddle, and eyes to the front of the balloon. Add the feathers to the back of the balloon.
Now you have a super adorable Turkey Balloon that would fit perfectly at the kids’ Thanksgiving table this year.
Thanksgiving Balloon Turkey Craft | Easy DIY Fall Crafts
FAQ
How to make a turkey balloon easy?
Body: Inflate the medium-sized balloon and tie it off. Adhere head, wings, and tail into place using glue dots. Balloon base (optional): inflate a twisty balloon and allow some air to come out until it is the right length to create a circle that your turkey can sit in.
How to make a turkey out of a paper sack?
- Stuff your turkey as you normally would.
- Open one brown paper bag inside another one.
- Butter the inside of the inside bag real well.
- Put the turkey (in bag) into the roasting rack (rack being inside of roasting pan).
- Bake at 325 F.
- THAT IS IT!
How to make a turkey out of a pumpkin?
- First, paint the tail. Carve out the top of a giant pumpkin. Don’t forget the legs.
- Use a mini pumpkin. Add leaves. Glue it all down.
- Have a pumpkin at home that never made it to the carving station? Turn it into a fun Thanksgiving centerpiece/treat!
Can you make a Thanksgiving turkey with balloons?
Kids will have a blast coming up with creative ways to play and decorate with their balloon turkeys. With just a balloon and a few craft supplies, you can make an easy Thanksgiving craft that provides hours of entertainment. So grab some balloons and turn them into a flock of festive Thanksgiving turkeys!
How do you make a Turkey balloon?
Draw or add wings to make the turkey balloon airborne. Use paper or real turkey feathers. Layer rows of different sized pom poms down the balloon for a colorful, funky look. Attach balloon turkey to a stick or straw to make a puppet. Draw bold stripes, polka dots, or patterns with markers for personality.
What can you do with balloons on Thanksgiving?
Balloons are always a hit with kids. Around Thanksgiving you can use balloons to make adorable turkey decorations and toys that are fun for children to create and play with. These balloon turkeys are easy crafts that require just a few inexpensive supplies.
How do you make a monkey with a balloon?
Twist two inches of the remaining inflated balloon twice. When you lock these two, they form the front legs of the monkey. Twist two inches of the remaining inflated balloon thrice. The first twist is the torso/body, and the remaining two when locked together form the hind legs. The remaining portion of the balloon is the tail of the monkey.