How to Disguise a Turkey as a Mermaid – A Fun Thanksgiving Craft for Kids

The Thanksgiving holiday is a wonderful time to spend quality time with family reflect on what we’re thankful for, and eat delicious food. For many families the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal is a roasted turkey. However, some little turkeys might be worried about becoming the main course! That’s why disguising a turkey as a mermaid is a fun Thanksgiving craft to do with kids. Not only is it an adorable project, but it sparks creativity and imagination.

In this easy 1899 word guide, we will walk through how to transform a turkey into a beautiful mermaid using common craft supplies. It’s a simple paper craft that allows kids to let their creativity shine. Follow along below for a step-by-step tutorial on how to disguise a turkey as a mermaid!

Supplies Needed

To complete this mermaid turkey disguise craft, you will need

• Colored construction paper or cardstock
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Mermaid turkey template
• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils for decorating

Step 1: Print and Cut Out the Mermaid Turkey Template Pieces

The first step is to print out our mermaid turkey template, which you can download online for free. Be sure to print it out onto construction paper or cardstock so the pieces are sturdy. Then, have your child carefully cut out each piece – the turkey’s body, the mermaid’s tail, seashells, hair, and more. Make sure to cut along the outlines.

Step 2: Add the Mermaid Tail

Take the mermaid’s tail that was cut out and glue it to the bottom of the turkey’s body, covering up his legs. Press down firmly so it sticks. The turkey should now have a beautiful mermaid tail instead of legs!

Step 3: Add the Seashells

Next, take the seashell pieces and glue them onto the turkey’s body towards the top, above where the tail is attached. Space them out into a fun design – have your child get creative with the placement! The seashells help complete the mermaid disguise.

Step 4: Add the Mermaid Hair and Bangs

Glue the mermaid hair piece to the back of the turkey’s head. Then, glue the bangs to the top of the head, above the turkey’s face. The hair and bangs make the turkey look like a lovely mermaid from the ocean.

Step 5: Add the Mermaid Snood and Beak Accessories

Take the mermaid snood (the fabric under a turkey’s beak) and glue it to the turkey’s head just below the eyes. Then, glue the beak accessory right on top of the snood. This helps incorporate the turkey’s iconic wattle and beak into the disguise.

Step 6: Glue on the Mermaid

Lastly, glue the mermaid image onto the turkey’s feathered tail. This finishing touch pulls the whole underwater disguise together!

Step 7: Decorate the Mermaid Turkey

Once assembled, let your child color and decorate the mermaid turkey however they wish with markers, crayons, or colored pencils. Encourage them to get creative with bold, bright colors. Add fun details like scales on the tail or seashell patterns on the seashells.

And just like that, you have transformed an ordinary turkey into a whimsical underwater mermaid! Doing crafts like this mermaid turkey disguise taps into kids’ imagination and creativity in such a fun way. Let their artistic talents shine this Thanksgiving with this cute holiday project.

Turkey Disguise Craft Ideas

Disguising a turkey as a mermaid is just one clever idea for turkey disguises. Here are some other fun turkey disguises you can make using common craft supplies:

• Turkey dressed up as a pilgrim – Use black construction paper to make a pilgrim hat, collar, and belt to disguise the turkey as a pilgrim from the first Thanksgiving. Add details like buckles on the belt and hat.

• Turkey dressed up like a pumpkin – Cut pumpkin shapes out of orange paper for the body. Add green construction paper vines, a green stem hat, and triangle eyes.

• Turkey dressed up as a superhero – Make a cape out of red or blue paper, a mask, and an “S” for a turkey superhero disguise.

• Turkey dressed up as a reindeer – Use brown paper to make antlers and paint or color the turkey’s beak to look like a reindeer nose.

• Turkey dressed up as a leprechaun – Make a green top hat out of paper and add a matching bow tie. Glue on gold coin cut outs.

Let the kids pick their favorite disguise concept and get creative making the accessories! Adding googly eyes, feathers, pom poms, and other embellishments also takes these turkey disguises to the next level.

Thanksgiving Craft Ideas for Kids

Beyond turkey disguises, there are so many fun Thanksgiving crafts you can make with children. Here are more Thanksgiving project ideas to spark creativity:

• Handprint turkey craft – Trace your child’s handprint onto brown or red paper, cut it out, and glue it to a larger turkey body.

• Thankful turkey craft – Decorate a paper plate turkey and have your child write what they are thankful for on the feathers.

• Mayflower ship craft – Use a brown paper lunch bag as the sail and attach it to a paper plate Mayflower ship.

• Placemat craft – Cut out and glue down turkey and fall shaped craft foam pieces to make a festive placemat.

• Table centerpiece – Help your child make a cornucopia centerpiece out of a cone, artificial fall leaves, and mini pumpkins.

• Personalized napkin rings – Wrap turkey or fall colored pipe cleaners around napkin rings and add mini pom poms, googly eyes, sequins, and other fun embellishments.

• Pine cone turkey craft – Glue pinecones together into the shape of a turkey and add feathers made from construction paper.

The ideas are endless when tapping into a child’s creativity! Encourage them to come up with their own inspiration too. Crafting together builds priceless memories and bonds during the holidays.

Final Tips for Disguising a Turkey as a Mermaid

Here are some final tips to make your mermaid turkey disguise craft a success:

• Use cardstock or construction paper for sturdiness. Avoid flimsy paper.

• Cut carefully along the template outlines.

• Apply glue thoroughly, pressing pieces down firmly.

• Encourage creativity and experimentation with colors, patterns, and textures!

• Display the finished mermaid turkey disguise craft proudly for Thanksgiving.

• Take process photos for memories and to share on social media.

Most importantly, have fun with it! Crafting together not only produces something darling to display, but also quality bonding time making treasured memories. This Thanksgiving, tap into your child’s creativity and imagination by disguising a turkey as a mermaid or any other clever costume disguise. Their artistic talents will shine through wonderfully with this holiday project.