Every fall, my daughter is obsessed with pumpkins. She loves all the different shapes and sizes of pumpkins and winter squash, so we end up buying more than we can really use (theres only so much butternut squash soup and pumpkin pie you can eat).
A couple years ago we worked together to create this cute pumpkin turkey centerpiece for Thanksgiving. Weve made it a tradition to make one every year! We created it using a small “sugar pie” pumpkin (available at most grocery stores—we got ours at Trader Joes) and craft supplies that we happened to have on hand.
This is a fun autumn project that’s easy to make for children of all ages (with a parents help), and it looks fantastic on the dining table. My kids and I like to write what were thankful for on the paper tail feathers, too.
To help you out, we made a template for the turkey head, wings and feathers, that you can download here; its formatted for a standard 8.5 x 11-inch letter size sheet of paper.
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, which means it’s time to start preparing festive decorations and fun crafts. One of my favorite projects to do this time of year is making turkey pumpkins! These cute pumpkin crafts transform ordinary pumpkins into adorable turkey decorations for your Thanksgiving table.
In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through how to make your very own easy DIY turkey pumpkin using basic craft supplies With a little creativity, you can create a fabulous fall decoration that’s sure to get your family into the Thanksgiving spirit!
Supplies You’ll Need
To make your turkey pumpkin craft you’ll need
- Pumpkin (mini or regular size)
- Acrylic paint in orange, brown, red, yellow
- Paintbrushes
- Model Magic clay (white or terra cotta)
- Googly eyes
- Felt (for feet and wattle)
- Hot glue gun
- Scissors
- Double-stick tape
- Marker
The most important supply is the pumpkin itself. Choose a smaller pumpkin if making with young kids or a standard carving pumpkin for adults. Gather the remaining basic craft materials and you’re ready to create!
Step 1: Paint the Pumpkin
First, paint the entire outside surface of the pumpkin orange as a base color. Once dry, use brown paint to add patchwork accents like dots, squiggles, and triangles around the pumpkin. This gives a rustic, feathered turkey look.
Add some yellow paint on the tips of the “feathers” and a red wattle/snood. Allow the paint to dry fully before moving on.
Step 2: Make the Turkey Head
Next, shape a turkey head out of white Model Magic clay. Form an oval fat teardrop for the head and an orange triangle for the beak.
For feet, roll four small balls of terra cotta clay. Bend them slightly – these will be the turkey’s feet. Set the head and feet aside to firm up.
Step 3: Craft the Wattle
Cut a 1-inch wide strip of red felt to create the wattle. Trim into a teardrop or snood shape.
Alternatively, you can freehand cut a wattle shape out of red Model Magic clay if you don’t have felt.
Step 4: Attach the Face Features
Once slightly firmed up, glue on the face features:
- Glue on orange beak
- Glue on googly eyes
- Draw pupils with marker
- Glue red wattle below eyes
Allow glue to fully dry and harden before moving on.
Step 5: Attach the Head and Feet
Use hot glue to attach the completed turkey head to the top of the painted pumpkin. Press down firmly.
Then glue the terra cotta feet to the bottom sides of the pumpkin, pointed toes out.
Step 6: Add Finishing Touches
Use a brown marker to add an inverted V over the eyes to finish the turkey’s face.
Cut a small orange circle out of felt for the snood and glue on. Add any other embellishments like curled feathers, leaves, berries, etc.
Display Your Turkey Pumpkin
Once complete, display your turkey pumpkin on your Thanksgiving table, mantel, or front porch. Add twinkle lights or candles for more holiday ambiance.
More Decorating and Craft Ideas
Get creative with your turkey pumpkin! Here are some more ideas:
- Glue on real or paper feathers for the tail
- Use construction paper to add wattle and snood
- Attach a pilgrim hat to the pumpkin’s head
- Add googly eyes for a silly personality
- Bandana around the neck adds flair
- Paint or glitter the turkey’s details
- Use leaves and flower stems for legs
Let kids customize their turkey pumpkin with fun craft materials. The turkey’s unique personality will shine through!
These adorable turkey pumpkins make wonderful centerpieces, table favors, or holiday gifts too. Overall, creating this easy pumpkin craft is a fun family activity that really gets you in the Thanksgiving spirit!
Turkey Pumpkin FAQs
What size pumpkin should I use?
For young kids, a mini pumpkin works best. Older kids and adults can use a standard carving pumpkin.
What if I can’t find Model Magic clay?
Try air dry clay or even salt dough as an alternative to Model Magic.
How do I attach the turkey’s head?
Use hot glue to secure the head to the pumpkin’s stem or side. Allow to fully dry overnight for best results.
Can I make a turkey pumpkin without carving?
Absolutely! Paint or draw the turkey design directly onto an uncarved pumpkin. Or use paper and craft materials to create turkey features and attach to the pumpkin.
How long will my turkey pumpkin last?
It should last 1-2 weeks indoors. For longer display, keep your pumpkin craft in a cool area out of direct sun when possible.
Get Creative with Turkey Pumpkins This Fall!
Handmade turkey pumpkins make for a fabulously festive Thanksgiving craft. With simple supplies and some imagination, both kids and adults will have fun creating unique pumpkin turkeys.
The beauty lies in the fun process of designing your own special turkey decoration. I hope you’re inspired to make one of these easy yet absolutely adorable turkey pumpkins this fall! Display it proudly and let your creative turkey kick off a happy Thanksgiving season.
How to make it
- Download and print out the template on plain paper and cut out each of the shapes. Youll use these to create the parts of the turkey to attach to the pumpkin.
- Trace around the feather template to create nine tail feathers. We made three of each in brown, orange, and yellow. Kids can use their crayons or markers to draw a feather-like pattern on each one.
- Arrange the tail feathers in alternating colors and fan them out into a semi-circle. Use the double-stick mounting tape to hold the feathers together at the bottom. This tape will also hold the feathers to the pumpkin, so make sure you use enough. You’ll also want to tape each feather to the one next to it about midway along, which helps keep them in place.
- Peel the backing from the tape at the bottom of the feathers and adhere it to the back of the pumpkin, with the pumpkin sitting upright.
- Now trace and cut out the head and the face parts (the beak, wattle, and eyes). Use the glue stick to glue the face parts to the head, using the template as a guide.
- With the double-stick tape, adhere the head to the pumpkin, with the bottom of the neck about halfway down and the middle of the head resting on the pumpkin stem. Tape it down in both spots.
- Trace and cut out the wings—you can draw some feathers on them if you like—and tape them to the sides of the pumpkin.
Thats all there is to it! Now step back and admire your creative handiwork and get ready for Thanksgiving.