Every fall, my daughter is obsessed with pumpkins. We wind up buying more pumpkins and winter squash than we can really use because she is infatuated with their various shapes and sizes (you can only eat so much butternut squash soup and pumpkin pie).
A couple years ago we worked together to create this cute pumpkin turkey centerpiece for Thanksgiving. We made it using a small “sugar pie” pumpkin (available at most grocery stores—we got ours at Trader Joes for $1), a tradition we’ve started every year. 99) and craft supplies that we happened to have on hand.
With parental assistance, kids of all ages can easily complete this enjoyable autumn project, which looks amazing displayed on the dining table. My kids and I like to write what were thankful for on the paper tail feathers, too.
You can download our template for the turkey head, wings, and feathers here. It is formatted for a standard 8-inch 5 x 11-inch letter size sheet of paper.
Every Thanksgiving, families gather to celebrate with delicious food, warm company, and festive decorations. If you’re looking for a fun and easy DIY project that will add a touch of whimsy and charm to your Thanksgiving table, look no further than the pumpkin turkey centerpiece. This adorable centerpiece is a great way to get kids involved in the Thanksgiving spirit and create a memorable centerpiece that will be the talk of the table
Materials you’ll need:
- A small “sugar pie” pumpkin: This will be the base of your turkey. You can find these pumpkins at most grocery stores, and they’re typically very affordable.
- Heavy construction paper in rich fall colors: Brown, orange, yellow, red, and black are all great choices for creating the turkey’s feathers and other features.
- Crayons or markers: Let your creativity shine as you decorate the feathers and other paper components.
- Scissors: For cutting out the turkey’s feathers, head, and other features.
- Glue stick or craft glue: To securely attach the paper components to the pumpkin.
- Foam mounting tape or double stick tape: This will help to hold the feathers and other features in place.
- Turkey centerpiece template (optional): You can download a free template online to make the process even easier.
Instructions:
- Download and print the template (optional): If you’re using a template, print it out on plain paper and cut out each of the shapes. These will be your guide for creating the turkey’s features.
- Create the tail feathers: Trace around the feather template to create nine tail feathers. Use three of each color (brown, orange, and yellow) and let your kids draw feather-like patterns on each one using crayons or markers.
- Assemble the tail feathers: Arrange the tail feathers in alternating colors and fan them out into a semi-circle. Use the double-stick mounting tape to hold the feathers together at the bottom. This tape will also hold the feathers to the pumpkin, so make sure you use enough. You’ll also want to tape each feather to the one next to it about midway along, which helps keep them in place.
- Attach the tail feathers to the pumpkin: Peel the backing from the tape at the bottom of the feathers and adhere it to the back of the pumpkin, with the pumpkin sitting upright.
- Create the turkey’s head: Trace and cut out the head and the face parts (the beak, wattle, and eyes). Use the glue stick to glue the face parts to the head, using the template as a guide.
- Attach the head to the pumpkin: With the double-stick tape, adhere the head to the pumpkin, with the bottom of the neck about halfway down and the middle of the head resting on the pumpkin stem. Tape it down in both spots.
- Create the wings: Trace and cut out the wings—you can draw some feathers on them if you like—and tape them to the sides of the pumpkin.
- Admire your creation: Step back and admire your adorable pumpkin turkey centerpiece! You can add finishing touches like writing what you’re thankful for on the paper tail feathers.
Tips and variations:
- Get creative with the colors and patterns: Use different colors of construction paper, glitter, or other embellishments to personalize your turkey.
- Make it a family activity: Get your kids involved in creating the turkey. They’ll love helping to cut out the feathers, draw on them, and assemble the centerpiece.
- Use different types of pumpkins: If you can’t find a “sugar pie” pumpkin, you can use another small pumpkin variety. Just make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold the paper components.
- Add other Thanksgiving elements: Surround your pumpkin turkey with other Thanksgiving-themed decorations, such as gourds, fall leaves, or miniature pumpkins.
Creating a pumpkin turkey centerpiece is a fun and easy way to add a festive touch to your Thanksgiving table. With a little creativity and some simple materials, you can create a centerpiece that will be the envy of all your guests. So gather your supplies, get your kids involved, and have fun creating a memorable Thanksgiving centerpiece that will be cherished for years to come.
How to make it
- After downloading and printing the template, cut out each shape on plain paper. These will be used to construct the turkey’s parts that will be attached to the pumpkin.
- Trace around the feather template to create nine tail feathers. We made three of each in brown, orange, and yellow. Children can decorate each one with a pattern resembling feathers using markers or crayons.
- Fan out the tail feathers into a semicircle and arrange them in alternating colors. Hold the feathers together at the bottom with the double-stick mounting tape. Make sure to use enough tape because it will also hold the feathers to the pumpkin. To help keep them in place, you should also tape each feather to the feather next to it about halfway through.
- When the pumpkin is sitting upright, remove the backing from the tape at the base of the feathers and attach it to the back of the pumpkin.
- Next, draw and cut out the features of the head and face, including the eyes, wattle, and beak. Using the template as a guide, adhere the face components to the head with the glue stick.
- Attach the head to the pumpkin using the double-stick tape, making sure the middle of the head rests on the pumpkin stem and the bottom of the neck extends about halfway down. Tape it down in both spots.
- Draw some feathers on the wings if you’d like, then trace and cut them out, then attach them to the pumpkin’s sides with tape.
That’s all there is to it! Take a moment to appreciate your artistic creation and get ready for Thanksgiving.