How to Make a Turkey Out of Cardboard: A Fun and Easy DIY Craft for Thanksgiving

Making a turkey out of cardboard is a fun and creative way to decorate for Thanksgiving. This easy DIY craft is great for both kids and adults and can be customized in many ways Follow this simple step-by-step guide to learn how to make your own cardboard turkey that will add a handmade touch to your holiday decor.

Gather Your Supplies

To make your cardboard turkey craft you will need

• Cardboard – Recycled shipping or cardboard boxes work great, Avoid thin cereal type boxes

• Scissors – For cutting out the turkey shapes. Kids scissors or regular scissors work.

• Glue or tape – To attach the pieces together. Glue sticks, liquid glue or double sided tape all work.

• Paint, markers, or crayons – For decorating the turkey. Choose whatever you have on hand.

• Googly eyes (optional) – For a fun decoration. Large wiggly eyes are perfect.

• Construction paper (optional) – To cut feathers out of. Red, orange, yellow are good colors.

• Feathers (optional) – Real or faux feathers can be glued on for embellishment.

• Anything else to decorate – Buttons, pom poms, fabric scraps, etc. Get creative!

Design and Cut Out the Turkey Pieces

Start by deciding on the size and shape of your turkey. Draw or trace a template onto cardboard. You will need:

• Body – A large oval or rounded shape for the body

• Head – A small circle to attach to the body

• Beak – An orange triangle for the beak

• Feet – Short rectangles for the feet

• Tail feathers – Long skinny strips for feathers

Use scissors to carefully cut out all the pieces. You may want to cut out some extra tail feathers.

Assemble the Turkey

Once your pieces are cut out, it’s time to put your turkey together:

• Glue or tape the head to the top of the body.

• Glue on the beak just below the head.

• Glue the feet onto the bottom of the body.

• Overlap and glue the tail feathers in a fan shape to the back of the body.

Go slowly and let the glue dry in between steps. Using tape instead allows you to reposition pieces.

Decorate Your Turkey

Here comes the fun part – decorating your handmade turkey! Let kids take the lead and get creative.

• Use crayons, markers or paint to color the turkey. Try different patterns and designs.

• Glue on googly eyes, pom poms, buttons or other embellishments.

• Cut feather shapes from construction paper and glue them on.

• Glue on real or fake feathers for a life-like effect.

• Add legs by rolling paper into tubes and taping them on.

There are so many ways to customize your turkey and make it unique! Add whatever craft items you have on hand.

Display Your Turkey

Once your cardboard turkey craft is complete, it’s time to show it off! Here are some ideas:

• Set it on your Thanksgiving table as a centerpiece

• Use it in a Thanksgiving dinner place setting

• Make a whole flock and line them up on your mantel

• Hang it in a window or on a wall as seasonal wall art

• Give it as a handmade gift to grandparents or friends

However you choose to display your cardboard turkey, it will add a delightful handcrafted touch to your Thanksgiving decor.

More Turkey Craft Ideas

Once you get the basics down, you can try other variations of the cardboard turkey craft:

• Make turkeys in different sizes and shapes

• Create a family of turkeys with adults and babies

• Use multiple colors for a rainbow turkey

• Add wiggly eyes, pom poms and texture with glue

• Incorporate patterns like polka dots, stripes, plaid

• Use glitter, sequins, raffia, lace or other embellishments

• Attach a clothes pin to the back to make it free standing

• Add loops of string on the back to hang it as an ornament

The possibilities are endless when crafting turkeys from cardboard! Encourage kids to let their creativity run wild.

Turkey Crafts Teach Life Skills

Beyond just decoration, making turkeys from cardboard is a great craft for teaching kids valuable skills:

• Fine motor skills – cutting, tracing, gluing, coloring

• Following step-by-step instructions

• Creative thinking and problem solving

• Visual arts and design techniques

• Sustainability by repurposing cardboard

• Hand-eye coordination and dexterity

• Patience as they complete the process

• Sense of accomplishment and pride

Celebrate your child’s unique art and creativity. There is no right or wrong way to make a cardboard turkey!

Fun Fall Activity for Thanksgiving

As you prepare for Thanksgiving, making a cardboard turkey craft is a fun activity for the whole family. Kids will love customizing their own turkey while getting excited for the November holiday. Your homemade decor will bring smiles around the table and make Turkey Day more memorable. Follow this guide and enjoy a festive new family tradition!