Paper plate turkeys make for a wonderfully easy kids craft to celebrate the Thanksgiving season. With just a paper plate, some basic craft supplies like paint, glue and googly eyes, you can transform a simple disposable plate into a adorable 3D turkey decoration. This is such a fun holiday project for preschoolers and elementary age children to make. Follow the simple steps to create a handmade paper plate turkey!
Supplies Needed
To make a paper plate turkey, you’ll need:
- Paper plates (white or colored)
- Acrylic craft paint
- Construction paper or cardstock
- Googly eyes
- Glue (white glue or hot glue gun)
- Scissors
- Markers
- Decorations (feathers, sequins, etc.)
How to Make the Paper Plate Turkey
Follow these instructions:
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Paint paper plate – Paint the back of the paper plate brown and let fully dry.
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Cut out turkey parts – From construction paper, cut out triangles for the beak and snood. Cut feather shapes.
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Glue on facial features – Glue on googly eyes near top. Add orange triangle beak and red snood below.
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Attach feathers – Glue or tape feathers to the back of the paper plate. Arrange in a half circle.
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Add legs and feet – Cut and glue on orange feet and legs along the bottom edge
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Draw on details – Use markers to add details like wattle eyelids, mouth.
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Decorate turkey – Add sequins, glitter, pom poms, etc. to customize your turkey!
Turkey Craft Variations
There are many ways to vary this paper plate turkey craft:
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Use a large dinner size plate for a giant turkey.
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Paint or color the backside of the plate instead of brown.
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Cut a simple circle head and triangle beak instead of 3D shapes.
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Use real feathers, leaves or fabric for the tail.
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Attach extra wings made from construction paper.
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Add wiggle eyes, pom poms, foam or felt for embellishments.
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Use stickers or foam sheets to add wings and legs.
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Glue the turkey to a craft stick to make a puppet.
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Create a turkey family by making multiple sizes.
Displaying Paper Plate Turkeys
Once complete, paper plate turkeys make great Thanksgiving decorations. Here are some ways to put them on display:
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Tape or hang them on walls, windows, cabinets.
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Place them on tabletops, bookshelves, side tables.
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Line them up on the mantel or along stair railings.
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Decorate classroom bulletin boards and walls.
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String them together to make turkey garlands.
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Use them as placecards to decorate the dinner table.
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Give them away as homemade gifts for friends and family.
Benefits of Making Paper Plate Turkeys
Crafting paper plate turkeys provides many benefits for children:
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Allows creativity in designing their turkey.
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Practices fine motor skills like cutting, gluing, drawing.
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Encourages following step-by-step directions.
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Teaches about basic shapes and parts of a turkey.
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Promotes seasonal and holiday awareness.
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Provides a sense of pride in their completed project.
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Can be created collaboratively in classroom or group settings.
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Produces a decorative craft that can be proudly displayed.
Crafting Tips and Ideas
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Supervise children closely when using scissors or hot glue.
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Show examples of finished turkeys for inspiration.
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Keep extra paper plates and supplies on hand for mistakes.
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Let kids get creative choosing colors and textures!
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Remind them that turkeys have red wattles, not pink.
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Cut out turkey shapes ahead of time for younger kids.
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Use sharp, pointed scissors for easier cutting.
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Set up at tables or cover work surfaces for mess protection.
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Take photos of kids posing with their completed turkeys!
Celebrate Thanksgiving in style by crafting festive paper plate turkeys with your kids or students. Follow the simple steps to transform an ordinary paper plate into a colorful turkey decoration. Let creativity run wild while making each turkey unique by mixing up the supplies used. Then proudly display these handmade turkeys to brighten up your home or classroom for Thanksgiving! The designing possibilities are endless with this easy kids craft.
