I hope you're all enjoying gorgeous Fall weather! The leaves are just beginning to change in our neck of the woods, so it's time for Fall crafting. I have my kids' teachers to thank for this adorable turkey craft. The original was created by Boo when she was in kindergarten. Since all of the feathers have definite color patterns, I'm sure her wise teacher used it as a fun way to practice patterns.
If you're wondering why the colors of the "feathers" are nothing like the colors of a real turkey, you have probably never tried to talk a little girl out of using her favorite colors! It's definitely a battle I know is absolutely useless. The colors have actually grown on me. (Who says a turkey can't dress up like a peacock?)
This craft is perfect for preschool and kindergarten, but I'm a grown up, and I enjoyed it, so your older kids might like it, too. (You're never too old to string beads, right?)
Every year, our family collects fall leaves and pinecones to decorate our home. This year, we put some of those pinecones to use to create some fun turkeys. The adorable turkeys are great just for fun or to help little ones practice patterns.
Pinecone Turkey Craft
- 1 large pinecone
- 3 colored pipe cleaners
- Small scrap of red or brown cardstock or construction paper (4″ x 2″ is a good size to start with)
- Very small scrap of orange cardstock or construction paper
- Pony beads in various colors (8-12 for each "feather")
- Black sharpie marker
- Craft glue or glue gun with hot glue
Directions:
- Cut each pipe cleaner in half.
- String 8-12 beads on each pipe cleaner. (This is a great time for little ones to practice patterns.)
- Cut a shape for the turkey's neck and head from the brown or red paper. It should be shaped like a footprint-with the top slightly larger than the bottom.
- Fold the orange scrap in half and cut a triangle along the fold for the beak. (When unfolded, it should be shaped like a kite.)
- Draw two eyes on the face and "U" shapes on the neck of the turkey.
- Glue on the turkey's beak.
- Bend the pipe cleaners in half (with rounded tops) to create the feathers.
- Tuck the pipe cleaner "feathers" into the pinecone and attach with hot glue or craft glue. (I don't recommend that children use hot glue on their own. Small children should use craft glue or have an adult glue for them with hot glue.)
- Attach the face to the bottom of the pinecone with craft or hot glue.
All done! Easy peasy, right? The kindergarten turkey is below. Pretty good for a five-year-old!
I originally shared this post last year on Juggling Act Mama. If you're looking for great ideas, tips and recipes. Ang always has lots of great ones to share!
Do you have a fun Thanksgiving craft that your family loves? Here are some of ours. (Click on the image to visit the post.)
Sydney @ Tastefully Frugal
Such a fun idea! I will definitely try this with my boys soon!
Heidi
Thanks, Sydney! I hope they love it. My girls sure enjoyed it.
Liesel
What a fun idea! My kids are obsessed with collecting pinecones so now we can do something with them. Thanks for sharing!
Heidi
Thanks, Liesel. It's always nice to find something to do with all of those collections! Now, if I could only find something to do with the piles and piles of "pretty" rocks we have laying around!
Alia
these are so cute! would be a good way to keep little hands busy while they are waiting for thanksgiving dinner...
Heidi
Thanks, Alia. I think so, too. Let the kids make some turkeys while you cook the turkey!
linda spiker
Really fun idea! We have tons of pine cones at our cabin. Guess the grandkids will have a craft to make on our next trip!
Heidi
Thanks, Linda. Lucky you to have access to so many pinecones. I love them for crafts and decorating.
Mandy Al-Bjaly
You seriously have the cutest ideas. I need to search out some pine cones now!
Heidi
Thanks, Mandy. The kindergarten teacher gets the creativity for this one. My daughter brought this home from school, and we copied!
Lara
These are so cute. And a GREAT way to use up a few of the fifty million craft beads we have at our house!
Heidi
Fifty million? Our kids must be soul sisters. My kids spent hours sorting through beads as kids. They just liked to pick out the pretty ones. (Don't tell them that I used to dump them all back together on purpose. Hours of free entertainment!)
Camille
These turkeys are so cute! I like that you can break it up into smaller activities too- first bead the pipecleaners then they can come back and finish them up. Awesome.
Heidi
Thanks, Camille. That would definitely work. For those little ones with shorter attention spans, you could definitely break this up.