It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner! If you’re looking for a cute and easy decor for your Thanksgiving table, these playful turkey balloons are the perfect touch.
Hang them on the wall, strew them around your Thanksgiving table, or set up a little crafting table for the kids to keep them busy while you’re off cooking up a storm. No doubt your little turkeys will get a big kick out of them.
– Balloons – Colored cardstock – Scissors – Double stick tape – Large googly eyes
Step 1. Cut out all your paper parts. Cut one feather shape and use that as a template to cut more in different colors. Cut a triangle for nose, and teardrop shape for the wattle.
Step 2. Blow up your balloons and assemble your turkey. Use double stick tape to attach the feathers, eyes, nose, and wattle on to each balloon.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive a small affiliate commission. Regardless, we give our promise that we only recommend products or services we would use personally and believe will add values to our readers.
Agnes Hsu is a mom of three and has been inspiring parents and kids to get creative with easy activities and family friendly recipes for over 10 years. She shares her love for creative play and kids food to her 2MM+ followers online. Agnes commitment to playful learning and kindness has not only raised funds for charity but also earned features in prestigious nationwide publications.
Balloons are always a hit with kids. Around Thanksgiving you can use balloons to make adorable turkey decorations and toys that are fun for children to create and play with. These balloon turkeys are easy crafts that require just a few inexpensive supplies.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn different techniques for transforming regular balloons into Thanksgiving turkeys. Follow the step-by-step instructions to make basic balloon turkeys, glittery turkeys, feathered turkeys, and more.
Supplies Needed
To make turkey balloons by hand, you will need:
- Balloons – Round or pear-shaped work best
- Permanent markers
- Construction paper or cardstock
- Glue (stick or liquid)
- Scissors
- Googly eyes
- Pom poms, feathers, or other embellishments (optional)
- Glitter (optional)
- Glue gun (optional)
How to Make a Basic Balloon Turkey
The simplest turkey balloon only requires a few supplies. Here’s how:
-
Blow up a round balloon to desired size and tie off end.
-
Use a permanent marker to draw a turkey face on the balloon. Draw eyes, a nose, and mouth.
-
Cut out a small red diamond from construction paper for the snood (the flap of skin on a turkey’s beak). Glue to balloon.
-
Cut out an orange triangle from paper for the beak and glue under snood.
-
Draw or glue on any other desired details like wattles, feet, etc.
And you’re done! This makes a cute, minimalist turkey balloon for kids to play with and batting around.
Make a Glittery Turkey Balloon
For a sparkly, festive turkey, add some shimmering glitter.
Follow the basic turkey steps above. Before adding the eyes, beak, and other details:
-
Apply a layer of glue to the balloon. Spread it evenly around the bottom 2/3 of the balloon, leaving the top plain.
-
Sprinkle glitter generously over the glue while wet. Shake off excess.
-
Let dry completely before adding the face and beak so the glitter doesn’t come off.
The glitter gives the turkey some colorful, textured tail feathers!
How to Make Feathered Balloon Turkeys
For a more realistic turkey look, you can make feathers out of construction paper:
-
Cut feather shapes from paper in fall colors – long rectangles work well. Make 10-20.
-
Apply glue in a row along the bottom or back of the balloon. Attach the feathers.
-
Hold feathers upright while drying so they stand up instead of lying flat.
-
Follow the rest of the basic turkey steps to finish.
These handmade feathers make the turkey balloon look like the real bird!
Attach Ready-Made Feathers or Pom Poms
For convenience, you can use pre-made feathers or pom poms:
- Feather boas – cut off feathers and glue to the balloon
- Craft feathers – glue on individually
- Pom poms – glue rows of different sized pom poms to the bottom
This shortcuts the feather-making step while still giving you a fun textured effect.
How to Make a Balloon Turkey Centerpiece
Display your turkey balloons in a fun centerpiece. Simply:
-
Blow up 2-3 turkey balloons and set in the middle of the table.
-
Surround with fall leaves, pinecones, mini pumpkins, cinnamon sticks, etc.
-
Nestle balloons in the arrangement and voila – festive turkey table decor!
The balloons add height and whimsy to the autumnal display.
Other Tips and Ideas
-
Draw or add wings to make the turkey balloon airborne. Use paper or real turkey feathers.
-
Layer rows of different sized pom poms down the balloon for a colorful, funky look.
-
Attach balloon turkey to a stick or straw to make a puppet.
-
Draw bold stripes, polka dots, or patterns with markers for personality.
-
For durability, brush on multiple coats of clear glue after decorating.
-
Make turkey helium balloons by attaching designs to inflated helium balloons.
-
Group multiples together in a table centerpiece or around the house.
-
Save your turkeys year after year – the permanent marker lasts!
Fun Ways to Use Turkey Balloons
- Play hot potato or bat the balloon around
- Have races blowing turkeys across the floor
- Balloon volleyball or badminton
- Turkey toss – throw into buckets or laundry baskets
- See who can keep their turkey up in the air the longest
- Craft activity for kids – have decorate their own
- Use as Thanksgiving table decorations
- Make place cards by adding names
- Give as favors or part of goody bags
Kids will have a blast coming up with creative ways to play and decorate with their balloon turkeys. With just a balloon and a few craft supplies, you can make an easy Thanksgiving craft that provides hours of entertainment.
So grab some balloons and turn them into a flock of festive Thanksgiving turkeys! This is one Thanksgiving craft the kids will gobble up.
Balloon Turkey Tutorial (How to Make) Balloon Twisting
FAQ
How to make a custom balloon?