Custom Search

Paper Bag Turkey Craft for Kids

This adorable paper bag turkey makes a great kids craft idea for Thanksgiving. You can just do a simple turkey with colorful feathers or dress them up as a pilgrim by adding a hat or bonnet. With this turkey all dressed up as a pilgrim it will make a great table top decoration for the holidays.

You can make your pilgrim turkey a boy or a girl. Just change the hat and the accessories to match your selection. The instructions below explain how to make a pilgrim hat or a bonnet. Just pick which one you want for your turkey.

divider

Supplies

Thanksgiving pilgrim paper bag turkey craft

1 dinner sized paper plate
1 brown lunch bags
Old newspaper
Colored paints, crayons or markers
Red, black and orange or yellow construction paper
Snack sized paper plate
Black crayon or marker
Glue
Stapler
Scissors
Wiggle Eyes (optional)

How to Make a Stuffed Paper Bag Turkey Craft

Step 1

Stuff the bottom part of the paper bag with old newspapers (or what ever you can find to stuff it with). Tie it off with string or a pipe cleaner. Now stuff the rest of the bag and glue or staple it shut.

This bigger part of the bag will be the turkey's body and the smaller portion (the bottom of the bag) will be the turkey's head.

Step 2

Take the paper plate and cut off about 1/3 of the plate. Using the bigger part of the plate, cut out feathers. Don't cut all the way through the plate this way the feathers are all connected by the plate. This will make it easier to glue or staple to the body.

Step 3

Color each feather section with paint, crayons or markers. Attach the feathers to the back of the turkey making sure you can see the feathers above and around the turkey.

Tip: If you use paint make sure it is completely dry before attaching it to the paper bag.

Step 4

Using black construction paper, cut out the turkey's feet. Make the feet big enough to help balance this paper bag turkey when it is standing on the table. Attach the feet to the bottom of the turkey.

Tip: You can make the feet in the shape of turkey's feet or in the shape of the pilgrim shoes. Either way will look great for this paper bag turkey.

Step 5

Using orange or tan construction paper, cut out some arms. Attach these to each side of the turkey.

Step 6

Using the red construction paper, cut out a turkey's wattle. The wattle is that really funny looking loose skin under the turkey's chin.

With the orange or yellow construction paper, cut out a turkey's beak.

Tip: If you don't have the colors you want or need, simply use plain white paper and let the kids color away. I'm a frugal crafter so I use up all the extras and get creative when needed.

Step 7

Glue on wiggle eyes (or draw them on). Glue on the beak and wattle.

Tip: For the beak, cut out your triangle shape and then fold a section over on a flat end making a small flap. Use this folded section to glue to the paper bag. This way the beak sticks out.

Step 8

Optional: Pilgrims Hat

If you want you can give your paper bag turkey a pilgrims hat. For a pilgrims hat, use a snack sized paper plate. In the center of the plate, draw a pilgrims hat. Cut out the center of the plate that is not part of the hat. Do not cut where the bottom of the hat is as you will fold this portion up. The rim of the plate will be the rim of the hat. See picture to the right.

Color the plate (hat) black leaving the belt white. Color the buckle any color you want or leave it white. Simply slip the pilgrim's hat over the head of the turkey. If you want, you can glue or staple but if it fits just right it will just sit on his head.

Step 9

Optional: Pilgrims Bonnet

If you want to make your turkey a girl turkey, then give her a pilgrim's bonnet. To make the bonnet, use a piece of white construction paper (or any color). Fold one long side about 1/2 to 3/4 inches (see picture).

Now cut two slits (about 2 inches apart) down about 2 to 3 inches. Then fold each side back at an angle. Staple the two sides together in the back and staple the flap back. Now poke two holes in each side and run a string through. Place the bonnet over the head of the turkey and tie the bonnet under the chin.

The bonnet is a bit trickier but work with the folding and measurments and you will get it.

These kids turkey crafts are just too cute and fun to make. In addition to this paper bag turkey try this turkey puppet craft using a paper bag.

divider