How to Make a Turkey Out of Balloons: A Fun and Creative Craft Project

Making a turkey out of balloons is a fun and creative craft project for the fall and Thanksgiving season. With just a few simple materials like balloons, string, and construction paper, you can easily make an adorable balloon turkey that looks great displayed as a decoration or given as a handmade gift.

Supplies You’ll Need

To make your balloon turkey, you’ll need the following supplies:

• Balloons in various fall colors like brown, red, orange, yellow. Get at least 10-12 balloons.

• String or ribbon to tie the balloons together. Thin string works best.

• Construction paper in fall colors – brown, red, orange, yellow. This will be for the turkey’s feathers, head, feet, and beak.

• Scissors and glue or tape

• Googly eyes or markers to make eyes (optional).

• Pipe cleaners for legs (optional).

That’s it! With just simple, easy-to-find supplies, you’ll be ready to make a fun balloon turkey.

Shaping the Turkey’s Body

Start by inflating the balloons. Don’t inflate them all the way – leave them slightly under-inflated so they have a pear shape rather than being round.

Tie off each balloon and set them aside. Make sure you have a variety of fall colors.

Now you can start assembling your turkey’s body. Take three brown or red balloons and tie the ends together with string. These will form the base of the body.

Next, take two more balloons (orange or yellow work nicely) and attach them to the top of the three base balloons. These will create the turkey’s chest area.

Finally, take two more balloons in different fall colors and attach them to the very top. These will be the turkey’s head/neck section

Arrange the balloons so they form the rough shape of a plump turkey body. Tuck any loose string ends out of sight.

Adding the Head and Feathers

Your balloon turkey needs a head! Take a small piece of brown construction paper and cut out a turkey head shape. Glue or tape this to the top balloon.

Next, cut out a triangular orange beak and two googly eyes or eye shapes from paper. Glue these onto the turkey’s head. Draw on any details with markers.

Now it’s time to make feathers. Cut feather shapes out of the colored construction paper. Make them in different fall colors and in a variety of sizes and shapes.

Glue the feathers all around the turkey’s body, overlapping them and making them point outwards. Place more feathers near the base and tail.

Feel free to get creative with the feather colors and placement. Add extra feathers, layers, or clusters for more texture.

Finishing Touches: Feet, Legs and Wattle

To complete your balloon turkey, add some finishing touches like feet, legs and a wattle.

Cut a 3-4 inch wide half circle from brown paper for the feet. Glue this to the bottom front of the turkey.

Bend two pipe cleaners into a V-shape for legs and insert them under the feet, into the bottom balloons.

Finally, cut a small red paper wattle shape and glue it to the turkey’s neck. Draw on any finishing details.

And that’s it – you now have a complete and adorable balloon turkey ready for Thanksgiving! It makes a perfect holiday decoration or handmade gift.

Displaying Your Turkey Craft

There are lots of creative ways to display your balloon turkey decoration:

• Sit it on your Thanksgiving table as a centerpiece. Surround with fall leaves, pinecones, gourds, etc.

• Hang it by a string or ribbon in a doorway or archway.

• Place it on a side table, mantel or as part of a holiday display.

• Give it as a fun Thanksgiving hostess gift or handmade present. Add a tag with a nice note.

• Use it as a table marker by writing guests’ names on the balloons.

However you choose to display it, your colorful balloon turkey is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face!

Turkey Craft Tips and Tricks

Here are some helpful tips and tricks for making your balloon turkey craft:

• Use pear-shaped underinflated balloons rather than round balloons – this gives a better turkey shape.

• Vary the colors of the balloons and feathers for a fun, festive look.

• Add some simple paper wings made from construction paper.

• Get creative shaping the body – no need for perfect symmetry!

• Use a thick glue for attaching parts to the balloons.

• Draw or tape on any extra details like wattles, snoods or eyelashes.

• Place the turkey on a base made from a small cardboard box covered in brown paper.

• Make turkey hand or footprints as decorations by dipping a cardboard cutout in brown paint.

So don’t be turkey – get creative and have fun making this festive fall craft! From decorating to gift giving, a handmade balloon turkey is sure to delight.

Full Step-By-Step Instructions

Here is a quick recap of the complete instructions for making a turkey out of balloons:

Supplies Needed:

• 10-12 balloons in fall colors
• String/ribbon
• Construction paper
• Scissors, glue, tape
• Googly eyes/markers (optional)
• Pipe cleaners (optional)

Instructions:

1. Inflate balloons, leaving them slightly underfilled.

2. Tie 3 brown/red balloons together for the body base.

3. Add 2 orange/yellow balloons above for the chest.

4. Add 2 more balloons in fall colors for the head/neck.

5. Cut out a paper head shape and glue to top balloon. Add beak, eyes, details.

6. Cut feather shapes from paper. Glue all around body, overlapping.

7. Cut half circle feet and glue to bottom front.

8. Add pipe cleaner legs.

9. Cut out wattle and glue to neck.

10. Draw on any final details.

11. Display turkey decoration and enjoy!

With these simple steps, you’ll have a cute and festive balloon turkey craft for Thanksgiving. Get creative with colors, shapes, and details. Crafting your turkey together is a fun project for kids and adults too!