Looking for a fun Thanksgiving craft? Learn how to make this Thanksgiving Turkey Pinecone Craft with your kids and everyone at home this holiday! This DIY activity is simple, budget-friendly, and brings festive cheer to your home.
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Thanksgiving is here and there is no better way to get everyone excited than by gathering around for turkey…crafting that is… so let’s make a turkey pinecone craft using nature supplies you can find outside or at the store. Watch our short video tutorial, print out the directions, and you’re all set!
This simple, hands-on project is the perfect way to get creative and spend some quality time with the kids. You can even go on a walk together as you gather craft supplies in nature or if needed, a fun trip to the craft store.
Once made, the adorable mini turkeys are perfect to display all around your home. So let’s get started with creating the cutest turkey pinecone crafts for your holiday festivities. Trust me, this will be a holiday memory-maker!
Get more ideas and check out all our Thanksgiving Activities Here.
Why Make a Thanksgiving Turkey Pinecone Craft?
Creating Thanksgiving pinecone crafts offers more than just a cute decoration. It helps reinforce the season’s values of family, gratitude, and spending quality time together.
- Bring Thanksgiving spirit into your home: These cute little pinecone turkeys are perfect for adding a festive touch to your table, fireplace mantel, or entryway.
- A creative way to keep kids engaged: Thanksgiving can be a busy day, so having a fun activity like this is perfect for keeping little hands busy.
- Eco-friendly and budget-friendly: Using natural pinecones is great for the environment and your wallet. Plus, it gives each turkey its own unique shape and character!
- Hands-on family bonding: This craft is great for all ages. Everyone in the family, from preschoolers to grandparents, can participate, laugh, and create something fun together.
Thanksgiving Turkey Pinecone and Leaf Craft
Materials You’ll Need for Your Pinecone Turkey Craft
If you’re collecting pinecones from outside, bake them at 200°F for about 30 minutes to get rid of any bugs or dirt. This will make sure you don’t have a creepy-crawly surprise mid-craft!
Here’s a list of the supplies you’ll need to get started:
- Pinecones: Collect them from nature for a rustic look or buy pre-cleaned ones from a craft store.
- Dried Fall Leaves
- Craft Paint (acrylic or tempera): Preferably fall colors like red, orange, yellow, and brown to capture the Thanksgiving vibe.
- Googly Eyes: These bring the turkeys to life!
- Craft Glue or a Hot Glue Gun (for adults to use): A strong glue is key to keeping all the pieces together.
- Construction Paper: Use red and orange to make the beak (triangle shape) and wattle (teardrop shape).
- Scissors: For cutting paper pieces.
- Paintbrush
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Thanksgiving Turkey Craft
Ready to make your turkey? Watch the short video tutorial then grab the printable directions that are available at the end of this post.
Step 1: Prepare Your Pinecone: Start by cleaning and prepping the pinecones. If you’ve gathered them from nature you can bake them in the oven (200°F for 30 minutes, continually keep an eye on them) to ensure they’re ready to go. We usually skip this step but if you are worried a bug has made a home in your pinecone, it’s a great step.
Step 2: Paint the Leaf and Pinecone: Get your little ones hands busy (and maybe messy too, you can see my kiddos little hands busy painting his pinecone in the video–so cute!).
Using the paint color of choice, paint the leaves to make the turkeys tail feathers. You can paint them in single fall colors like orange leaves outlined with brown color, or create a splash of colors.
Paint the pinecone to add color to the turkey.
Set them out to dry.
Step 3: Make the Face: Using googly eyes, attach two eyes to the front of the pinecone. Cut out an orange triangle for the beak and a read teardrop shape for the waddle and glue them below the eyes.
Step 4: Add the feathers to the Pinecone: Take the colorful feathers and glue them to the back of the pinecone. You can add one feather or a bunch of feathers by spreading them out in a fan-like shape; this will create a full, vibrant tail for your turkey.
*You may want to have an adult use hot glue to add the leaves because it is a quicker bond. We used LOTS of school glue and waited patiently for it to dry.
Step 6: Allow Time to Dry: Be sure to give each piece time to set and dry completely before moving or displaying.
Helpful Tips for Crafting Success
- Working with Young Kids: For toddlers or preschoolers, consider pre-cutting some of the pieces to make the craft easier and faster. Also, keep an eye on small pieces to prevent choking hazards.
- Keeping the Mess Under Control: Use a tray or newspaper to contain glue and leaves. This can save you a lot of cleanup time later!
- Encouraging Creative Variations: Let kids use different colors, add craft feathers, or even dress up their turkeys with tiny accessories.
- Making It Last: Use a strong glue, like a hot glue gun with adult help, to make sure everything stays intact. This way, you can reuse these adorable turkeys year after year.
Creative Ways to Display Your Turkey Pinecone Craft
Now that your turkeys are ready, let’s talk display ideas. Here are some creative ways to show off your Thanksgiving Turkey Pinecone Crafts:
- Thanksgiving table settings: Use these turkeys as place markers. Add a name tag around the turkey’s neck or at its base to personalize each one for your guests.
- Festive mantel display: Create a cozy Thanksgiving scene on your fireplace mantel by grouping the turkeys with other seasonal decorations, like mini pumpkins, candles, or autumn leaves.
- Kid-Friendly decorations: These turkeys make adorable playroom decorations. Kids love to see their crafts proudly displayed around the house.
- Outdoor Displays: Seal your turkey with a clear waterproof spray to use as outdoor porch decorations. They’re a charming addition to your Thanksgiving porch display!
Conclusion
Creating Thanksgiving Turkey Pinecone Crafts is a great and fun way to bring family and friends together during the holiday season. Not only are these little turkeys easy to make, but they also add a festive, handmade charm to any Thanksgiving gathering. So, grab your pinecones, gather around the table, and enjoy the laughs, creativity, and memories you’ll make together.
Crafting with loved ones is one of the best ways to celebrate the season of gratitude. Try it out and let your creativity soar—your Thanksgiving table has never looked so good!
Print the Directions:
Thanksgiving Turkey Pinecone and Leaf Craft
Materials
- Pinecones: Collect them from nature for a rustic look or buy pre-cleaned ones from a craft store.
- Dried Fall Leaves
- Craft Paint (acrylic or tempera): Preferably fall colors like red, orange, yellow, and brown to capture the Thanksgiving vibe.
- Googly Eyes: These bring the turkeys to life!
- Craft Glue or a Hot Glue Gun (for adults to use): A strong glue is key to keeping all the pieces together.
- Construction Paper: Use red and orange to make the beak (triangle shape) and wattle (teardrop shape).
- Scissors: For cutting paper pieces.
- Paintbrush
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Pinecone: Start by cleaning and prepping the pinecones. If you've gathered them from nature you can bake them in the oven (200°F for 30 minutes, continually keep an eye on them) to ensure they're ready to go. We usually skip this step but if you are worried a bug has made a home in your pinecone, it's a great step.
- Step 2: Paint the Leaf and Pinecone: Get your little ones hands busy (and maybe messy too, you can see my kiddos little hands busy painting his pinecone in the video–so cute!). Using the paint color of choice, paint the leaves to make the turkeys tail feathers. You can paint them in single fall colors like orange leaves outlined with brown color, or create a splash of colors. Paint the pinecone to add color to the turkey.Set them out to dry.
- Step 3: Make the Face: Using googly eyes, attach two eyes to the front of the pinecone. Cut out an orange triangle for the beak and a read teardrop shape for the waddle and glue them below the eyes.
- Step 4: Add the feathers to the Pinecone: Take the colorful feathers and glue them to the back of the pinecone. You can add one feather or a bunch of feathers by spreading them out in a fan-like shape; this will create a full, vibrant tail for your turkey.*You may want to have an adult use hot glue to add the leaves because it is a quicker bond. We used LOTS of school glue and waited patiently for it to dry.
Notes
-
- Working with Young Kids: For toddlers or preschoolers, consider pre-cutting some of the pieces to make the craft easier and faster. Also, keep an eye on small pieces to prevent choking hazards.
-
- Keeping the Mess Under Control: Use a tray or newspaper to contain glue and leaves. This can save you a lot of cleanup time later!
-
- Encouraging Creative Variations: Let kids use different colors, add craft feathers, or even dress up their turkeys with tiny accessories.
-
- Making It Last: Use a strong glue, like a hot glue gun with adult help, to make sure everything stays intact. This way, you can reuse these adorable turkeys year after year.
More Ideas to Make Thanksgiving Perfect!
- Turkey Paper Bag Craft
- Thanksgiving Activity Placemats (FREE Printable)
- Free Printable Thanksgiving Activity Pack
