Every fall, my daughter is obsessed with pumpkins. She gets obsessed with the different shapes and sizes of winter squash and pumpkins, so we end up buying more than we can really use (you can 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. As is our annual ritual, we made it with a small “sugar pie” pumpkin (found at most grocery stores; we got ours at Trader Joes for $1). 99) and craft supplies that we happened to have on hand.
Kids of all ages can easily finish this fun autumn project with parental assistance, and it 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.
Hey there, crafty friends and Thanksgiving enthusiasts! Looking for a fun and festive centerpiece that will add a touch of whimsy to your holiday table? Look no further than this adorable Turkey Pumpkin! This easy-to-make creation is perfect for kids and adults alike, and it’s sure to impress your guests with its charm and creativity.
Gather Your Supplies:
Before you embark on this crafting adventure, make sure you have the following tools and materials:
- Medium pie pumpkin
- Long wooden skewers
- Toothpicks
- Apple
- Cantaloupe
- Red grapes
- Block of white cheese
- Block of orange cheese
- Summer sausage or pack of beef sticks
- Any other assorted fruits and cheeses (optional)
- Sharpie
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Paper towels
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Prepare the Pumpkin: Choose a medium-sized pie pumpkin that will serve as the base for your turkey. Using a sharpie mark dots across the top of the pumpkin creating two rows staggered an inch or two apart. These dots will guide the placement of your skewers. Alternatively, you can pre-poke the pumpkin with empty skewers to determine their positioning.
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Dice the Delights: Gather your chosen fruits meats, and cheeses. Cut the cheeses sausage, and larger fruits into roughly 1-inch cubes. Slice the apple and banana into thin pieces.
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Skewer the Feast: Start assembling your turkey’s feathers by adding the food pieces to the skewers. Remember to leave a few inches on each end for stabbing into the pumpkin and holding to eat. For a shorter front row of feathers, use apple slices stabbed with toothpicks.
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Assemble the Turkey: Insert the skewers into the pumpkin, starting at the widest point and working down in rows. For the front, add a row of apple slices on toothpicks.
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Craft the Face: You have a few options for the face. Use the stem to draw eyes, or use toothpicks to attach a pear to the pumpkin’s back. You could also use blueberries, white chocolate chips, or other tiny round foods for the eyes. Add a beak with a triangular piece of cheese or pineapple. Don’t forget the gizzard, represented by a Swedish fish!.
Tips and Tricks:
- Choose fruits and vegetables with vibrant colors to create a visually appealing turkey.
- Get creative with your food choices! Experiment with different textures and flavors to personalize your centerpiece.
- If you’re short on time, use pre-cut fruits and vegetables for convenience.
- Make sure the skewers are long enough to securely hold the food and penetrate the pumpkin.
- When assembling the turkey, start from the back and work your way forward, creating a layered effect.
- Don’t be afraid to get messy! This is a fun and creative project, so let your imagination run wild.
Additional Resources:
- Video Tutorial: For a visual guide, check out this helpful video on making a turkey pumpkin: https://www.instructables.com/Turkey-Pumpkin/
- Printable Template: Download a printable template for the turkey’s head, wings, and feathers from Marin Mommies: https://www.marinmommies.com/create-cute-pumpkin-turkey-centerpiece-thanksgiving
You can easily create a charming Turkey Pumpkin centerpiece that will be the focal point of your Thanksgiving table with the help of this thorough guide and a little bit of imagination. Happy crafting and happy holidays!.
How to make it
- Once the template has been downloaded and printed, cut out each shape on plain paper. These are going to be used to build the parts of the turkey that are going to be fastened to the pumpkin.
- Trace around the feather template to create nine tail feathers. We made three of each in brown, orange, and yellow. Kids can use markers or crayons to decorate each one in the shape of feathers.
- The tail feathers should be spread out into a semicircle and arranged in alternating colors. Use the double-stick mounting tape to hold the feathers together at the bottom. Use plenty of tape, as it will also secure the feathers to the pumpkin. About halfway through, you should also tape each feather to the feather next to it to help keep them in place.
- Remove the backing from the tape at the base of the feathers and affix it to the back of the pumpkin once it is seated upright.
- Next, sketch and cut out the head and facial features, such as the beak, wattle, and eyes. Attach the face parts to the head using the glue stick, following the template as a guide.
- Using the double-stick tape, affix the head to the pumpkin, making sure the bottom of the neck extends approximately halfway down and the middle of the head rests on the pumpkin stem. Tape it down in both spots.
- If desired, add some feathers to the wings by drawing them, tracing and cutting them out, and then taping them to the sides of the pumpkin.
That’s all there is to it! Enjoy your artistic creation and start thinking about Thanksgiving!