Looking for the perfect fall-themed craft to make with children? Look no further than this adorable turkey pinecone!
This is a quick and easy craft that will keep your kids occupied on Thanksgiving morning while the meal is being prepared. Your kids will have an awesome time making these little crafts with you, and playing with them too!
Grab a few supplies and some pine cones from your yard and make these with your kids. I will also show you how to add these to the kids’ table at Thanksgiving as a fun project while everyone waits on the meal to be ready.
Supplies Needed to Make a Pinecone Turkey
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- Pinecones (from your yard or purchased from the store)
- Textured paper (I used Core’dinations Spotted Tillie Dot Paper, but it’s currently showing as unavailable)
- Cricut Explore (or hand cut feathers from a template)
- Foam Sheets
- Brown Felt
- Orange Felt
- Google Eyes
- School Glue
- Safety Scissors
Step by Step Directions
First, prep all the pieces for the turkey. I used my Cricut to cut out the feathers, but you can simply trace a template or cut them by hand. I also used yellow foam to cut out the feet for the turkey too.
Then, glue the foam “feet” to the pinecone. You’ll want to make sure the pinecone is angled like the photos below – the base of the pinecone will be the butt of the turkey.
Next, insert the head onto the “front” of your turkey. Add on eyes and a beak. This is always everyone’s favorite part!
Now it’s time for the feathers. The feathers are glued into place as shown below, tucked into the pinecone crevices.
Then, allow the turkey to dry. That’s it!
Where can I find pinecones?
This is a question that many people ask me. I am lucky enough to live in an area where pinecones grow, so it’s as easy as popping out to the yard! Part of the fun of making this craft is foraging for the perfect “turkey”, so grab a basket and head outside.
If your yard isn’t a good source for pinecones, you can find them in a variety of places: near hiking trails, parks, or even at craft stores. Of course, you can find them online too!
What age is this turkey pinecone craft for?
This is a good craft project for any age! Toddlers will need a little assistance with cutting out the pieces and assembling them together, but this is where that wonderful creativity can shine.
Older kids will be able to make them on their own, but will likely need light supervision when it comes to the cutting aspects.
How to Make This a Thanksgiving Day Craft
My favorite way to use this craft is to set up one turkey for each child attending Thanksgiving.
This cute little kids’ craft will be the hit of any Thanksgiving dinner or fall dinner party. Grab your supplies and be sure to grab enough for every kid that is coming. This is one fun craft idea that everyone will want to do!
I also made an example so they would have something to go by.
I supplied the following for each pinecone turkey:
- Pine cone
- Feathers cut from paper (I used my Cricut but you can also use a template)
- Square of brown felt
- 2 google eyes
- Small piece of orange felt
- Square of yellow foam
- Scissors
- School glue
I set up the table as you see above. Each child had their own set of supplies to make this fun kids’ craft. If the kids are younger, you’ll also want to have someone supervise and give an example of how to create it.
Once your little guests make their own pine cone turkeys, be sure to allow them to dry before sending home.
More Thanksgiving Crafts
- How to Make Napkin Rings from A Paper Towel
- Make a Thanksgiving Mason Jar
- DIY Thanksgiving Decorations for Your Table
Supplies
- Pinecones
- Textured paper
- Cricut Explore or handcut feathers
- Foam Sheets
- Felt in orange and brown
- Google Eyes
- School Glue
- Safety Scissors
Instructions
- First, prep supplies by cutting feathers out of textured paper. You can use a Cricut or simply cut by hand. You'll also want to cut out feet for the turkey too out of foam.
- Glue the feet onto the turkey using craft glue.
- Add the head along with eyes and a beak.
- Tuck feathers into the crevices of the pinecone and glue in place.
