Every fall, my daughter is obsessed with pumpkins. We buy more winter squash and pumpkins than we need because she loves all the different shapes and sizes. After all, you can only eat so much butternut squash soup and pumpkin pie.
A couple years ago we worked together to create this cute pumpkin turkey centerpiece for Thanksgiving. Every year, we make one! We used a small “sugar pie” pumpkin, which you can find at most grocery stores; we paid $1 for ours at Trader Joe’s. 99) and craft supplies that we happened to have on hand.
This is a fun fall project that kids of all ages can do with help from an adult. It fits perfectly on the dining table. My kids and I like to write what were thankful for on the paper tail feathers, too.
We made a template for the turkey’s head, wings, and feathers that you can download here. It’s set up for an 8-inch paper size. 5 x 11-inch letter size sheet of paper.
Carving pumpkins into festive turkeys is a fun Thanksgiving tradition for many families. With a few simple techniques, you can easily transform a typical pumpkin into an adorable turkey centerpiece. In this article, we’ll walk through the process of simple turkey pumpkin carving using basic tools and stencils.
Pumpkin Selection and Prep
First, select a medium-sized classic round pumpkin that can sit upright steadily. Mini pumpkins also work well for turkey carvings. Thoroughly wash and dry the outside of the pumpkin.
Before carving, neatly cut a hole in the bottom to scoop out the insides. A battery-powered flickering candle or string lights placed inside will make your turkey glow for holiday displays.
Design and Tools
Outline your turkey design lightly in pencil first Simple triangle or feather shapes make carving straightforward Useful basic carving tools include
- A small saw or serrated knife to cut holes
- A paring knife for details
- A spoon for scooping and shaping
- A marker to outline
Avoid complex designs if new to pumpkin carving. Stencils can aid first-time carvers.
Carving the Face
Carve the distinctive turkey face on the side facing forward. Cut a large triangle with a saw for the head shape. Then add oval eyes, a half-circle beard, and hooked beak using a paring knife.
Deeply notch the eyes, brows, and mouth to let more light through. This brings great expression when lit up.
Adding Feathers and Body
Cut feather shapes with triangle points into the remaining surface, leaving some uncarved pumpkin between. Grouped feather patches enhance the turkey form.
Longer feathers toward the back visually become the tail. Carve varying feather sizes for interest. Leave the lower back pumpkin round for the body.
Refining Details
Refine details like face features with a paring knife to finish. Add smaller triangle notches along feather edges Consider carved patterns on wings
Adding color with paints or markers brings life. Browns, oranges, yellows, and reds suit turkeys well. Let paint fully dry before displaying.
Alternative Embellishments
For quicker turkey pumpkins, paint a simple face and feathers on instead of full carving. Or adhere colored paper cutouts of wings, eyes, and more with tape or pins.
Attaching a festive bow at the neckline or small leaves around the base dresses up any carved or painted pumpkin turkey.
Displaying Your Turkey Pumpkin
Group your completed turkey pumpkin with other Halloween or Thanksgiving decorations. The windowsill or front porch steps make fine display spots.
Place your pumpkin on a tray or platter if displaying indoors to catch drips. Surround with fall leaves, gourds, or mini pumpkins for added flair.
Extra Turkey Styling Ideas
- Add googly eyes and a beak for silly character
- Top with a pilgrim hat or colorful scarf
- Insert a fanciful feather in the back like a turkey tail
- Stack oval pumpkins as turkey body and head
- Attach candy corn for patterning
- Surround with turkey themed decorations
With some simple carving techniques and embellishments, you can easily create charming turkey pumpkins for Thanksgiving with your own unique touch. Customize your turkey’s expression, pose, and details to delight family and guests. Follow basic carving tips for success even if new to pumpkin art. Display your pumpkins proudly and enjoy your hand-crafted turkeys!
How to make it
- Put the template on plain paper and print it out. Then, cut out each shape. These will help you make the turkey parts that will go on the pumpkin.
- Trace around the feather template to create nine tail feathers. We made three of each in brown, orange, and yellow. For each one, kids can use crayons or markers to draw a feather-like shape.
- Alternate the colors of the tail feathers and spread them out into a half-circle. Hold the feathers together at the bottom with the double-stick tape. Make sure you use enough of this tape to hold the feathers to the pumpkin. Also, tape the middle of each feather to the one next to it. This will help them stay in place.
- Stick the feathers to the back of the pumpkin while it’s standing up straight. Peel off the backing from the tape at the bottom of the feathers.
- Now, draw and cut out the pieces that make up the head and face. Use the template as a guide to glue the face pieces to the head with the glue stick.
- Put the head on the pumpkin with double-stick tape so that the middle of the head rests on the stem and the bottom of the neck is about halfway down. Tape it down in both spots.
- On the wings, you can draw feathers if you want. Then, trace and cut them out. Tape them to the sides of the pumpkin.
That’s all there is to it! Take a moment to admire your hard work and get ready for Thanksgiving.
13 Easy Pumpkin Carving Hacks
FAQ
Is there a difference between a carving pumpkin and a baking pumpkin?
Is pumpkin carving hard?
What are easy pumpkin carving ideas?
Pumpkin carving doesn’t have to be complicated to make an impact. Easy pumpkin carving ideas focus on simple designs that require minimal tools and skill, yet still capture the festive spirit of fall. From classic jack-o’-lantern faces to straightforward geometric patterns, these ideas are perfect for beginners or anyone short on time.
How do I make a pumpkin Turkey craft?
To make your pumpkin turkey craft, you’ll need: The most important supply is the pumpkin itself. Choose a smaller pumpkin if making with young kids. For older kids/adults, a regular carving pumpkin works too. Gather the remaining art supplies and you’re ready to create!
How do you carve a pumpkin without a knife?
You can use stencils or templates to trace your design onto the pumpkin. Simply tape the template to the pumpkin, then use a pin or sharp tool to poke small holes along the design lines. Remove the template, and you’ll have a dotted outline to carve along. 5. Can I carve pumpkins without using a knife? Absolutely!
How do you preserve a carved pumpkin?
To extend the life of your carved pumpkin, make sure to clean out the inside thoroughly, removing all seeds and pulp. After carving, coat the cut edges with petroleum jelly to seal in moisture. You can also store your pumpkin in a cool, dry place and bring it indoors during extreme weather conditions. 3.
What tools do you need for pumpkin carving?
For simple pumpkin carving, you can use basic tools such as a small serrated knife, a pumpkin scoop, and a carving template. If you want more precision, a pumpkin carving kit with various saws and scrapers will be helpful. You can also use cookie cutters to create uniform shapes. 2. How do I prevent my pumpkin from rotting too quickly?
How do you make a wattle pumpkin?
Cut a 1-inch wide strip of red felt to create the turkey’s wattle. Trim into a teardrop/snood shape. Or freehand cut a wattle shape out of red Model Magic. Once the clay has firmed up slightly, glue on the face features: Allow glue to fully set and harden. Hot glue the completed turkey head to the top of the painted pumpkin. Press down firmly.