Get crafty with the Disguise a Turkey project for kids! A fun, creative Thanksgiving activity where kids help turkeys stay undercover with unique disguises!
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and one clever little turkey has a problem—he doesn’t want to be the star of the dinner table! Can you help him disguise himself so he doesn’t get caught?
This Disguise a Turkey project involves using the turkey in disguise free printable (provided below), allowing kids to transform a plain turkey template into a whimsical character of their own design.
The turkey disguise activity brings together imagination, artistic skills, and holiday spirit in a unique way. Parents and educators appreciate this project for its ability to engage children in a festive task while fostering creativity.
Get ready to turn this turkey into anything but a turkey. Whether it’s a grandma, a surfer, or a firefighter, the possibilities are endless. So grab your glue sticks, feathers, and markers, and let’s keep this turkey safe and undercover!
What is the Meaning of Turkey in Disguise?
The turkey disguise activity has become a beloved tradition in many classrooms and homes during the Thanksgiving season. This creative project originated from the idea of helping turkeys avoid becoming the main course at Thanksgiving dinner.
The concept gained popularity through children’s literature, particularly books like “Turkey Trouble” by Wendi Silvano, which features a clever turkey trying various disguises to escape his fate. Another fun book to read in preparation for the Turkey in Disguise project is “How to Catch a Turkey” by Adam Wallace, where a turkey runs loose and causes chaos in a school.
Educational Benefits
The turkey disguise project offers numerous educational advantages for young learners. It encourages creativity and problem-solving skills as children brainstorm unique ways to transform their turkey templates.
The activity also promotes fine motor skills development through cutting, coloring, and crafting. Teachers often use this project to discuss story elements and encourage writing creative narratives of the turkey’s escape.
How to Disguise a Turkey
Materials:
- Free Printable Disguise a Turkey Template (download information below)
- Printer paper or cardstock
- Scissors
- Glue
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils (optional)
- Any other additional materials such as ribbons, buttons, etc. that will help create unique disguises for the turkey!
Turkey in Disguise Instructions:
1. To begin the turkey in disguise activity, download and open the free printable template. You can choose the disguise you want to use for your turkey and print the page.
If you are short on time, you can print out the colored version. If you would like to color and decorate your turkey, then print out the black and white version.
I recommend printing these templates on white cardstock to ensure durability during the crafting process, especially if you are working with preschoolers or kindergarteners.
2. Carefully cut out the turkey outline and its disguises.
3. If you printed out the black and white version, use colored pencils, markers, or crayons to add vibrant colors to the turkey. You can draw costumes or even hair on the turkey! You can choose to glue the disguises on the turkey before coloring or color each piece separately and then glue everything together.
If you printed out the colored version, simply glue the disguises on the turkey.
No matter which version you use, there is always the option to incorporate craft supplies like feathers, glitter, googly eyes, etc. so create depth and dimension.
Remember, the goal is to make the turkey unrecognizable as a Thanksgiving meal, so let your imagination go nuts!
Once complete, display the turkey proudly as part of your Thanksgiving decor or use it as a fun conversation starter during the holiday gathering.
Showcasing and Sharing Turkey in Disguise
Once the turkey disguise projects are complete, it’s time to showcase these creative masterpieces.
- Turkey in Disguise Gallery: If you have multiple kids doing this Disguise a Turkey activity, you can designate a prominent spot or a bulletin board to exhibit the turkey creations. The gallery celebrates the children’s hard work and boosts the kids’ confidence about their crafting skills and creativity!
- Turkey in Disguise Parade: Modeling after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, have the kids walk with their disguised turkeys through the house or school for other students and parents.
- Virtual Turkey Runways: If you have family and friends faraway who cannot make it to the Thanksgiving gathering, you can host a Zoom meeting where the kids get a chance to present their disguised turkeys. I bet kids from different countries have a very different vision when it comes to disguising their turkeys!
How to Download the Turkey in Disguise Template
The PDF includes the following disguises in both colored and black and white:
- Cowboy Sheriff Turkey
- Firefighter Turkey
- Construction Worker Turkey
- Pirate Turkey
- Surfer Turkey
- Grandma Turkey
- Blank Turkey
Click the image below to get your free printable disguise a turkey template!
Happy Thanksgiving!
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