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 activity for kids where they creatively disguise a paper turkey to look like something else. This popular classroom activity encourages creativity and imaginative play. As a parent or teacher, you can easily do this project at home or school. Here’s everything you need to know about how to make this hilarious turkey disguise.
What is the Turkey Disguise Project?
The turkey disguise project is a Thanksgiving craft where kids decorate a paper turkey to disguise it as something silly or creative. This project is commonly done in elementary classrooms in November Teachers give students plain turkey templates or shapes to disguise Kids use art supplies like paint, paper, glitter, googly eyes, pom poms, feathers etc. to creatively disguise their turkey.
The goal is to make the turkey look like something other than a turkey. Kids have disguised turkeys as popular characters, animals, food, objects and more. It’s meant to be a fun creative challenge to get kids thinking imaginatively. Teachers often have kids write a story to go along with their turkey disguise. It’s a great way to integrate art, creativity and writing.
Turkey Disguise Project History & Origins
The exact origins of the turkey disguise project are unclear but it has become a beloved classroom tradition. Teachers report doing various versions of this activity since the 1970s. It may have emerged from similar paper bag mask crafts.
This creative turkey project has grown in popularity thanks to blogs, Pinterest, Instagram and teachers sharing their students’ hilarious turkey disguises online. It’s become a popular November craft for parents wanting to do a fun Thanksgiving project with kids at home too.
How to Disguise a Turkey: Step-by-Step Guide
Disguising a turkey is easy and fun for kids and adults! Here’s a step-by-step guide to this hilarious Thanksgiving craft:
Supplies Needed
- Turkey template printed on paper or cardstock
- Construction paper, tissue paper, crepe paper
- Markers, crayons, colored pencils
- Glue, tape, stapler
- Scissors
- Googly eyes, pom poms, feathers (optional)
- Other craft materials – glitter, stickers, fabric scraps etc.
Directions
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Print out a turkey template onto construction paper or cardstock.
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Cut out the turkey shape.
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Brainstorm creative disguise ideas. Character costumes, animals, food etc make fun disguises.
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Use art supplies to decorate the turkey and transform it into something new. Attach materials like googly eyes, glitter, feathers, pom poms, fabric with tape or glue.
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Get creative with colors, textures and shapes. Add props if needed for the disguise like a mask, umbrella, food items etc.
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Display your disguised turkey! Write a story to go with it if you’d like.
And that’s it – you now have a hilarious turkey in disguise ready for Thanksgiving fun! Let kids take the lead and get as silly or creative as they desire. The crazier the better!
Turkey Disguise Examples & Ideas
Need inspiration for disguising your turkey? Here are some creative ideas:
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Pop Culture Characters – Elsa from Frozen, Darth Vader, Wizard of Oz Dorothy etc.
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Animals – Elephant, unicorn, leprechaun
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Foods – Cupcake, pizza, popcorn
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Objects – Flower pot, Christmas tree
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People – Army soldier, pizza delivery guy, Bigfoot
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Holiday Themes – Santa, elf, nutcracker
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Storybook Characters – Fancy Nancy, Olaf from Frozen
Check out Pinterest or teachers’ blogs for more hilarious and clever turkey disguises. Let kids’ imaginations run wild!
Books to Pair with the Turkey Disguise Project
Reading a storybook is a great way to introduce the turkey disguise project. Here are some book suggestions:
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Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano – Turkey gets creative disguising himself to avoid being eaten for Thanksgiving dinner.
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Turkey’s Eggcellent Easter by Wendi Silvano – Turkey disguises himself as an Easter Bunny for Easter.
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The Great Turkey Race by Steve Metzger – Turkeys disguise themselves to win the race.
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Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey – A class of turkeys each disguise themselves.
Why Teachers & Parents Love This Project
The turkey disguise project is a beloved tradition because:
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It nurtures creativity and imagination in kids. They are challenged to think of a clever costume or theme.
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Kids of all ages can participate. It’s open-ended for any age or ability level.
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It’s a fun way to teach art concepts like color, texture, shapes.
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Writing stories about the disguises builds literacy skills.
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It encourages silliness and humor around Thanksgiving.
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Seeing each child’s unique personality emerge through their disguise is exciting for parents/teachers.
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Displaying the disguised turkeys is delightful Thanksgiving decoration.
Turkey Disguise Project Tips
Follow these tips for turkey disguise success:
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Laminate turkey templates for sturdiness if reusing.
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Provide a variety of art materials and let kids get creative.
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Encourage kids to come up with their own disguise idea.
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Help younger kids by brainstorming themes together.
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Remind kids that silly and humorous disguises are the goal.
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Write a story or create a display with the disguised turkeys.
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Take photos of kids with their turkeys and send the pictures home.
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Share photos on social media tagging #turkeydisguise.
Turn the Turkey Disguise Project Into a Contest
To up the excitement, some teachers hold a contest to see who can create the most creative, humorous or outrageous turkey disguise. Have students vote on superlatives like Funniest Disguise, Most Creative, Best Theme etc. Give small prizes or treats to the winners. Let everyone share their stories and have a laugh together over the hilarious disguises.
Make an Annual Thanksgiving Tradition
Because it’s such a delightfully fun activity, many families and classrooms do the turkey disguise project every year. Kids look forward to it and love seeing their creative skills progress. It becomes a much anticipated Thanksgiving tradition. Displaying photos of years past is a great way to build excitement and inspiration for the new year’s disguises.
So now you know everything needed to make this beloved Thanksgiving project. Let kids’ imaginations run wild and get ready for hilarious turkey disguises! Doing the turkey disguise project is sure to become a new family or classroom tradition that brings laughter and joy to Thanksgiving.
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
The Most Memorable Turkey in Disguise Project
Of course, my very favorite was this turkey that was supposed to be ME! If only I were that young and pretty! See the little number in the bottom left corner? I number each project, and then students get to vote on several categories like Most Creative, Most Unique, and Best Disguise using a secret ballot.
Students love voting, and they really surprise and impress me by cheering for their friends and not getting hard feelings. We also take the time to discuss how honorable it is NOT to vote for yourself. The voting process is a great character lesson for the children!
Finally, we award blue ribbons to the winners. All children get to take home a certificate for saving a turkey’s life! They also get to take home a bag of Turkey Toes (candy corn!).
On this particular year, Uncle Si won Best Disguise, The Girl Scout won Most Unique, and the Easter Bunny won Most Creative.
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?
Why do you disguise a turkey?