Creative Ways to Disguise a Turkey for Kids

The turkey disguise project is a fun Thanksgiving tradition for many classrooms and families Children let their creativity run wild to transform simple turkey templates into hilarious or clever disguises From dressing turkeys up as favorite storybook characters to turning them into robots or animals, the possibilities are endless! Here are some creative ideas to get those turkey disguising juices flowing.

Choosing a Disguise Theme

The first step is coming up with a concept for the turkey’s disguise. Consider these popular themes:

• Favorite storybook, TV or movie characters
• Occupations like firefighter, doctor or chef
• Animals like a dog, lion or butterfly
• Food disguises like a pizza, cupcake or hotdog
• Holiday costumes like a witch, leprechaun or gingerbread man
• Objects like a race car, flower or gumball machine

Let kids pick something they feel excited about. Their interest will show in the final product.

Fun Materials to Use

Almost anything goes when making a turkey disguise! Raid your craft supplies, recycling bins and nature items for inventive materials.

• Fabric scraps, felt, pom poms, feathers and foam
• Wacky wiggly eyes, rhinestones, glitter and sequins
• Popsicle sticks, straws, cardboard tubes and egg cartons
• Stickers, ribbons, buttons and other embellishments
• Leaves, acorns, pinecones and other natural finds

Stock up on an array of supplies and let imaginations wander Part of the fun is experimenting with different items,

Turkey Disguise Project Tips

Follow these simple tips for disguising success:

• Trace the turkey templates onto cardboard for stability.
• Cut out any openings like windows before decorating.
• Glue key features on before smaller details.
• Use wiggle eyes, felt or foam for fun facial features.
• Add dimension with pom poms, feathers or rubber worms.
• Incorporate theme items like bows for a present or chef’s hat.
• Prop up 3D elements with cardboard strips for support.
• Display turkeys on a bulletin board when done for all to admire!

Clever Turkey Disguise Ideas

Here are some creative disguises to spark kids’ imaginations:

Book and Movie Character Disguises

• Harry Potter owl with big glasses and lightning bolt scar
• Elsa or Olaf from Frozen with a blue dress and crystal accents
• Minion with blue overalls, goggle eyes and yellow accents
• Peter Pan turkey with a green hat and belt made of leaves

Animal Disguises

• Lion turkey using brown paper bag for a mane
• Butterfly with big wiggle eyes and pipe cleaner antennae
• Bunny with pink ears and cotton ball tail
• Elephant using gray paper and a twisted paper trunk

Food Disguises

• Pizza turkey topped with circles of yellow, red and green paper
• Cupcake dressed up with sprinkles and frosting made of fabric
• Hotdog with mustard squiggles and cone feet
• Big lollipop with a red paper stick and colorful pom pom

Holiday and Occupation Disguises

• Firefighter decked out in red with a paper fire hat
• Ballerina dancing in a pink paper tutu and sequins
• Race car driver wearing goggles and a cardboard steering wheel
• Pilgrim with black construction paper clothing and buckle

With a dash of creativity and a few fun materials, let those turkeys transform into something new. Then sit back and enjoy the hilarious disguises kids dream up!

Incorporating Writing into the Activity

The turkey disguise project also lends itself nicely to writing activities for children. Here are some ways to integrate literacy:

• Have kids write a story about the turkey and its disguise. Provide story starters like “Once upon a time there was a turkey named Sam who wanted to dress up as…”.

• Turn it into a persuasive writing exercise. Children can pretend to be the turkey and write about why the chosen disguise is the best.

• Do a step-by-step recount writing piece explaining how to make the turkey disguise.

• Write compound sentences or similes comparing the turkey to its disguise. “The turkey looked as fierce as a lion” or “The turkey was dressed up as a fluffy bunny, but he did not like carrots.”

• Older kids can write a complete opinion essay about whether turkeys prefer being dressed up or not and why.

Integrating writing enhances literacy skills and helps kids reflect on their creative process. Display the stories alongside the turkeys for a more well-rounded display.

Turkey Disguise Templates and Printables

To get started on the disguises, choose a turkey template that works well. Here are some options:

• Realistic 3D turkey templates that kids can cut out and fold into a standing turkey

• Simple 2D cartoon turkey outlines perfect for flat disguises

• Mini turkeys sized for creating a whole flock of disguised birds

• Pre-colored turkeys ready to cut out and decorate

Look for templates that fit your group’s age and skill level. Print onto cardstock for extra durability. Share digital copies so parents can print turkeys to work on at home.

Accompany the turkeys with printable parent letters explaining the activity. Provide any special instructions needed to complete the disguises. Add a note about when to return the completed turkeys to school or your home.

Displaying the Creative Turkey Disguises

Seeing the finished turkey disguises all together amplifies the fun. Here are some ideas for putting them on display:

• Line up the standing 3D turkeys along your classroom windowsill or shelf space.

• Arrange the turkeys in a big bulletin board display under the title “Turkeys in Disguise!”

• Set up Imagination Stations around the room where kids take turns viewing the turkeys up close.

• Hold a Turkey Disguise Fashion Show where students explain their disguises to the group.

• Display turkeys on a table at conferences or family events for all to enjoy.

However you decide to showcase them, the disguises are sure to bring lots of Thanksgiving spirit, laughter and joy!

The turkey disguise project allows kids to think creatively, problem solve and express themselves through art. With a dash of silliness and some fun materials, those plain turkeys will soon transform into their cleverest disguises yet! Let the turkey disguising fun commence.