One of my favorite classroom projects year after year is our November Turkey in Disguise Project. Each year, I’m amazed by the creativity of families as they work together on this fun assignment. I introduce the project with a letter from Mr. Turkey pleading for help!
Then, I send home a letter to families, so they know exactly what to expect. I like to be clear about project expectations, the deadline, and all the little details. I also send home a blank turkey template on white card stock so families can get started with their Turkey in Disguise project right away!
I let parents and students know right away that their Turkey in Disguise is a family project. I don’t want to see mom or dad’s work alone. Families need to work with their children…and include siblings in the process! The more the merrier.
I also encourage families to be as creative as possible. I suggest that they scour Pinterest for ideas, but I also encourage them to get ideas from the world around them….popular TV shows, children’s toys, etc.
One year, when Duck Dynasty was so popular, one of my students disguised his turkey as Uncle Si and it was one of the funniest and most unique Turkey in Disguise projects I’ve ever seen! It also happened to win an award when the children voted using their secret ballots!
The turkey disguise project is a fun Thanksgiving tradition where kids disguise a paper turkey to look like something else This helps “hide” the turkey so it doesn’t get eaten! The project encourages creativity and imagination in kids of all ages, Here’s everything you need to know about how to make a creative turkey disguise with your child
Why Do a Turkey Disguise Project?
The turkey disguise project stems from the story of the turkey trying to avoid becoming the main course on Thanksgiving. By disguising the turkey, kids get to save it from being eaten! This project is popular with preschool, kindergarten, and elementary-aged kids and their families.
The turkey disguise encourages creativity, art skills, and imagination in kids They can make their turkey look any way they want! Kids also practice fine motor skills while cutting, coloring, and assembling their turkey disguise Teachers often use it to integrate writing, literacy, science, and other learning.
How the Turkey Disguise Project Works
The concept is simple: take a turkey template, disguise it, and give it a name and backstory. Here are the basics:
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Start with a turkey template. Printable turkey templates are widely available online for free. Or you can draw your own!
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Decorate the turkey. Use art supplies like construction paper, pom poms, glue, markers, pipecleaners, feathers, felt, sequins, etc. Get as creative as you want!
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Make a costume. Cut shapes from paper, felt or fabric to make a disguise like a dress glasses, hat, etc. Attach to the turkey.
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Add accessories. Things like googly eyes, yarn for hair, pom poms for buttons work great. Reuse household items too.
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Name your turkey. Get kids thinking of fun, creative turkey names.
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Write a backstory. Have kids write or tell a story about their disguised turkey. Why is it in disguise? What is it dressed up as? Let their imagination run wild!
Fun Turkey Disguise Ideas
The great thing about this project is kids can disguise their turkey any way they want! Here are some creative ideas to get you started:
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Superhero turkey – Spiderman, Batman, Wonder Woman, etc.
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Movie character turkey – Elsa from Frozen, Darth Vader, Minions
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Animal turkey – Dog, bunny, panda bear, lion
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Food turkey – Ice cream sundae, pumpkin, cupcake
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Holiday turkey – Santa Claus, the Grinch, a Christmas tree
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Object turkey – Flower in a flowerpot, gumball machine, rainbow
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Job turkey – Doctor, firefighter, police officer, football player
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Princess turkey with gown and crown
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Mermaid turkey with tail and seashells
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Pirate turkey with eye patch and pirate hat
Turkey Disguise Templates & Printables
To make disguising your turkey easy, use a pre-printed turkey template. Here are some options:
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Free printable turkey templates from websites like EasyPeasyandFun.com
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Our own free printable turkey template
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Buy a turkey disguise kit with templates on Amazon or OrientalTrading.com
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Draw your own turkey! Just an oval body, feathers, and a head
Print out the template on paper, or for more durability mount it on cardboard or cardstock before decorating.
How to Disguise Your Turkey Step-By-Step
Follow these simple steps for a fun turkey disguise project with kids:
1. Print Out Your Turkey Template
Print out a turkey template like the one above onto paper or cardstock. Plain white paper works just fine.
2. Cut Out the Turkey
Have kids carefully cut out their turkey using kid-safe scissors. Store bought templates may come pre-cut.
3. Decide on Your Disguise Concept
Talk about different disguise ideas and let kids choose what to make. Get creative and think outside the box!
4. Decorate the Disguise
Use art supplies to decorate the disguise. Cut paper for clothing shapes, add pom poms, feathers, craft jewels, etc. Refer to our disguise ideas above for inspiration.
5. Attach the Disguise to the Turkey
Glue the disguise items onto the turkey template using a glue stick. You may also tape or staple pieces on.
6. Add Fun Accessories
Glue on googly eyes, pipe cleaners for arms, yarn for hair. Reuse random supplies from around the house too!
7. Name the Turkey
Have kids name their turkey and write it on their project. Get silly and creative with turkey names!
8. Write a Story About the Disguised Turkey
Let kids write a short story about their turkey. Why is it in disguise? What adventure is it going on?
And that’s it – you have a disguised turkey! Now the turkey is ready to go undercover and avoid being eaten for Thanksgiving dinner.
Turkey Disguise Project Classroom Activities
Teachers often use the turkey disguise project in the classroom leading up to Thanksgiving. It’s a fun cross-curricular activity. Here are some ideas:
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Art: Focus on decorating techniques, color mixing, using new art materials.
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Writing: Write a story about the disguised turkey. Or explain how they made their disguise.
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Literacy: Read turkey-themed books like “Turkey Trouble” by Wendi Silvano.
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Science: Learn turkey facts and habitat. Or integrate biomimicry by making animal disguises.
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Math: Graph and compare disguises, measure construction paper, count pom poms.
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Social Studies: Learn about Thanksgiving history and traditions.
Turkey Disguise Project for Kids
The turkey disguise project allows kids of all ages to exercise their creativity and imagination. Have fun with it! Encourage silly or unique disguise ideas. Add in writing or storytelling about their turkey. And proudly display these adorable disguised turkeys as Thanksgiving decorations. With a little innovation, you can easily turn this classic project into a new favorite holiday tradition.
Turkey in Disguise Project Ideas
Disguised turkeys trickle in over the next few weeks until the final due date. (I usually give families about 3 weeks to complete the project!) I am always amazed by how creative and unique all of the turkeys are.
Some families go all out; others create a simple disguise. But each turkey is special and beautiful because it means a family spent time together! Here are some of my favorite Turkey in Disguise ideas from past years:
Batman, Clown, Santa Claus, A Native American in a Teepee
Skunk, Olaf, Elsa, Owl
Girl Scout, Snowman, Sheep, Easter Bunny, Statue of Liberty, Uncle Si, Santa Claus, a Leaf Pile, Christmas Tree
Great Books to Kick off Your Project
When introducing the project, I also like to read some fabulous turkey books. There are many wonderful Thanksgiving books that fit the theme of a turkey trying to avoid being eaten. These books really help children empathize with the turkey, and then they are all the more eager to disguise him well!
Here are some of my favorite Turkey themed books. I’ve included Amazon shopping links for your convenience.
Disguise a Turkey Project (Agamograph Craft)
FAQ
How do you disguise a turkey writing prompt?
How to disguise a turkey as an iron man?
How do you disguise a turkey as Elsa?