Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and that means it’s time for a fun tradition—turkey disguises! This beloved craft activity gives kids the chance to get creative and help their turkey avoid the dinner table by dressing it up in a clever disguise. Whether you’re a teacher looking for a fun class project or a parent searching for a holiday craft, these turkey disguises will inspire hours of creative fun. Below are 18 unique and easy-to-make turkey disguises that kids of all ages will enjoy creating.
What Is a Turkey Disguise Project?
A turkey disguise project is a popular Thanksgiving activity where kids are given a turkey template and tasked with disguising it so it no longer looks like a turkey. The idea is to “save” the turkey from being eaten by transforming it into something unrecognizable. This activity allows kids to unleash their creativity by using a variety of materials, from simple paper and glue to more elaborate costumes made from fabric, glitter, and craft embellishments.
This project is often used in schools or at home as a fun craft that aligns with the Thanksgiving season. It’s not only a creative exercise but also helps improve fine motor skills and encourages imaginative thinking. Kids love the idea of turning their turkey into something entirely different, whether it’s a superhero, princess, or even a ninja! Plus, it’s a great way for families to spend time together making something fun.
To get started on your own turkey disguise project, all you need is a turkey template (you can find plenty of printable ones online), a collection of craft supplies, and a lot of imagination. This guide will take you through 18 fun disguise ideas, but the sky’s the limit with what your child can dream up. Encourage them to think outside the box and come up with a unique disguise of their own.
How to Get Started with Your Turkey Disguise
Before diving into the various turkey disguise ideas, it’s important to set up your workspace and gather all the necessary materials. First, print a basic turkey template, which will serve as the base for your child’s disguise. You can easily find printable templates online or draw your own. Once you have the turkey outline ready, you’ll want to gather crafting supplies such as colored paper, markers, glue, scissors, glitter, and any other materials you think your child might want to use.
Next, encourage your child to brainstorm ideas for their turkey disguise. They can choose a theme based on their favorite characters, professions, or animals. It’s helpful to offer a few suggestions but let them take the lead on picking their disguise. This not only boosts creativity but also helps them feel more ownership of the project.
Finally, once the idea is chosen, it’s time to start crafting! Encourage your child to sketch their design first if they’re up for it, then proceed with cutting, gluing, and assembling the disguise on the turkey template. It’s helpful to have an adult on standby to assist with any cutting or hot-glueing for more intricate designs. Now, let’s dive into 18 specific turkey disguise ideas your kids will love.
17 Turkey Disguise Projects for Kids
1. Superhero Turkey
What better way to save your turkey than to transform it into a superhero? Kids can have fun picking their favorite superhero—whether it’s Spider-Man, Batman, or Wonder Woman—and dress their turkey up in a mask, cape, and emblem. Start by using construction paper to cut out a cape and mask for the turkey. You can also use glitter or markers to add an emblem, like a lightning bolt or a bat symbol, to the turkey’s chest.
For the cape, use red or blue paper, and let the turkey’s wings stick out to look like it’s flying. If you want to get really creative, make some superhero boots out of colored paper and attach them to the turkey’s feet. The superhero theme allows for a lot of variation depending on which character your child wants to use. For instance, if they choose Wonder Woman, you can create a tiara and lasso out of gold craft paper.
To finish the look, let your child color the turkey in bright superhero colors, like red, yellow, or blue. You can even add a foam board behind the turkey to make it look like it’s standing on a city skyline or bursting through a wall. This project is not only fun but also encourages kids to think about what powers their turkey might have!
2. Princess Turkey
For those who love all things royal, turning your turkey into a princess is a magical disguise idea. Start with a fancy gown made out of colored fabric or paper. You can even use tulle to give the dress a realistic princess feel. Add glitter, jewels, and stickers to the gown to make it look extra glamorous. Don’t forget a tiara—use metallic paper or craft foam to make a sparkling crown to sit atop your turkey’s head.
To really make the disguise come to life, give your princess turkey long flowing hair made out of yarn or ribbon. You can braid it, add a bow, or even sprinkle it with glitter for that extra royal touch. If your child loves Disney princesses, they can base the design on their favorite character, like Cinderella or Elsa. A wand made from a toothpick or pipe cleaner can also add to the magic.
Finish the look by adding some makeup details to the turkey’s face—draw on rosy cheeks, lipstick, and even some fluttering eyelashes. You can use googly eyes for an extra dose of fun. The princess turkey is a perfect disguise for any little one who loves fairy tales and wants to give their turkey a royal makeover.
3. Pirate Turkey
Arr matey! Disguising your turkey as a pirate is a swashbuckling idea that’s sure to get some laughs. Start by making a pirate hat using black construction paper. Add a skull and crossbones symbol on the front using white paper or a marker. Don’t forget the eye patch! Cut a small circle of black paper and attach it to the turkey with a piece of string or a thin strip of paper. The patch can go over one of the turkey’s eyes for an authentic pirate look.
Next, you’ll want to add a pirate hook. This can be made from cardboard or aluminum foil. Simply cut out a hook shape and attach it to one of the turkey’s wings. To give the turkey more of a pirate feel, you can create a little vest out of brown fabric or paper and maybe add a belt with a buckle. Some additional fun elements could include a feather in the hat, a toy parrot, or even a little treasure map tucked under the turkey’s wing.
For the finishing touches, draw or glue a small sword onto the turkey’s side, and maybe add a gold tooth by coloring one of its beak parts yellow. The pirate turkey disguise is a fantastic way to encourage kids to use their imagination and give their turkey a swashbuckling adventure.
4. Unicorn Turkey
If your child loves magical creatures, turning their turkey into a unicorn is a whimsical and fun project. Start by making a unicorn horn out of gold or silver craft paper. You can roll the paper into a cone shape and glue it onto the turkey’s head. For an added touch of magic, sprinkle the horn with glitter. Next, create a flowing rainbow mane using different colors of yarn or tissue paper. The more vibrant and colorful, the better!
For the body, use pastel colors to decorate the turkey. You can cut out a star or heart-shaped pattern to place on the turkey’s chest, adding more glitter and sparkle. If you have some fabric, you can even create a flowing cape or wings for the turkey to really capture that fantasy element. You can also add googly eyes to give your unicorn turkey an extra dose of cuteness.
To finish off the disguise, make a tail out of yarn or ribbon to match the mane. Kids can also draw or glue on stars, rainbows, or clouds to the background of the turkey for a complete magical scene. The unicorn turkey disguise is perfect for kids who love fantasy and want to create something straight out of a fairy tale.
5. Astronaut Turkey
Blast off into space with an astronaut turkey disguise! This turkey will be ready to explore the final frontier in a homemade space suit and helmet. Start by wrapping the turkey in aluminum foil to give it a metallic, space-ready look. You can create an astronaut helmet by cutting a circle out of silver paper or cardboard and placing it around the turkey’s head. Add a little face shield made from clear plastic or cellophane for a more realistic helmet.
Next, create a space suit by using white construction paper or fabric. You can decorate the suit with badges and space logos drawn with markers or cut from paper. You can even add some buttons and dials to the suit using craft foam or stickers. For the turkey’s wings, attach small “jet packs” made from paper towel rolls or small plastic bottles. Wrap them in foil and attach colored paper flames at the end for a cool rocket effect.
For the finishing touch, place the astronaut turkey against a backdrop of stars and planets. Use construction paper to make a simple space scene or add glow-in-the-dark stars to make it extra special. The astronaut turkey disguise is out of this world and perfect for kids who dream of space exploration.
6. Cowboy Turkey
Yeehaw! Turn your turkey into a rootin’ tootin’ cowboy ready to ride off into the sunset. Start by making a cowboy hat out of brown paper or felt. You can shape the brim and glue it on top of the turkey’s head for an authentic look. To complete the western look, add a small bandana around the turkey’s neck—this can be made from red or blue fabric, or even construction paper.
Next, fashion a cowboy vest for the turkey. You can use brown paper or felt to make the vest, cutting out two armholes and placing it around the turkey’s body. Add some fringe to the bottom of the vest for extra detail. To give your turkey some boots, cut out two small boot shapes from brown paper and attach them to its feet. You can even add spurs by cutting small circles out of foil and attaching them to the back of the boots.
Finally, create a lasso using a piece of string or yarn and place it in one of the turkey’s wings. You can also draw or glue a small sheriff’s badge onto the vest to give your turkey some authority in the Wild West. With a cowboy turkey disguise, your bird will be ready to round up cattle and dodge the dinner table!
7. Ninja Turkey
Turn your turkey into a stealthy ninja with this fun disguise idea. Start by using black construction paper to wrap the turkey in a ninja outfit. Cut out a small mask to cover the turkey’s eyes, leaving space for it to peek out. You can attach the mask with glue or tape, and use a marker to draw fierce ninja eyes. For an added touch, use a strip of red or blue paper to make a ninja belt around the turkey’s waist.
Next, create some ninja weapons for the turkey. You can make nunchucks out of small sticks or straws connected by a piece of string, or create a sword by cutting one out of silver paper. Attach these weapons to the turkey’s wings to complete the ninja look. If you want to add a fun background, you can create a dojo scene with construction paper or draw a cityscape for the ninja turkey to blend into.
To make the disguise even more dynamic, you can create action lines around the turkey, showing it jumping or kicking. Encourage your child to give the turkey a cool ninja name and a backstory about its secret mission. The ninja turkey disguise is perfect for kids who love action and adventure!
8. Santa Turkey
Who says Santa only comes at Christmas? Disguise your turkey as Santa Claus for a festive twist. Start by making a red suit for the turkey using red construction paper or fabric. You can add white cotton or pom-poms around the edges of the suit to mimic Santa’s fluffy trim. Don’t forget Santa’s hat! Make a small red hat out of paper or fabric and add a cotton ball to the tip.
For the beard, use cotton balls or white yarn to create a big, fluffy beard for the turkey. Attach it under the beak to give the turkey a jolly appearance. You can also add a black belt made from construction paper and glue a gold buckle to the front. To make the disguise even more fun, add a sack of presents made from brown paper or fabric, and place it next to the turkey.
To finish the look, you can create a snowy backdrop with paper snowflakes or cotton batting. Your turkey will look like it’s delivering presents instead of becoming one! The Santa turkey disguise is a fun and festive way to incorporate the holiday season into your Thanksgiving celebration.
9. Mermaid Turkey
Transform your turkey into a mystical sea creature by disguising it as a mermaid. Start by creating a mermaid tail out of colored paper or fabric. You can cut out the tail shape and add some scales by using glitter or sequins. Attach the tail to the turkey’s lower body, making sure to give it a shimmering, fish-like appearance.
For the body, use pastel colors like aqua, purple, or pink to decorate the turkey. You can create a seashell bikini top out of construction paper or fabric and glue it to the front of the turkey. Add a crown or tiara made from seashells or paper to give your mermaid turkey a royal touch. You can also add long, flowing hair made from yarn or ribbon to mimic the mermaid’s iconic locks.
For an added touch, you can create a sea-themed background with fish, coral, and waves. You can cut these shapes out of colored paper and place them behind the turkey to create an underwater scene. The mermaid turkey disguise is perfect for kids who love the ocean and all things magical.
10. Doctor Turkey
Is there a doctor in the house? Transform your turkey into a doctor ready to save the day. Start by making a white lab coat out of construction paper or fabric. You can cut out the coat shape and add a stethoscope made from string and foil. Attach the stethoscope around the turkey’s neck for an authentic doctor look.
Next, make a doctor’s hat out of white paper and add a red cross symbol on the front. You can also add a name badge to the lab coat by cutting out a small rectangle of paper and writing “Dr. Turkey” on it. For the finishing touches, you can add a clipboard made from cardboard or paper and tuck it under one of the turkey’s wings.
To make the disguise even more fun, create a mini hospital background with paper bandages, medicine bottles, and patient charts. Your doctor turkey will be ready to make house calls and ensure everyone stays healthy this Thanksgiving!
11. Sports Player Turkey
If your child loves sports, turning their turkey into a sports player is a slam-dunk idea. Start by picking a sport—whether it’s football, basketball, soccer, or baseball—and create a uniform for the turkey. Use construction paper to make a jersey in the team’s colors, and don’t forget to add the turkey’s jersey number on the front and back. You can also make a small ball out of paper or foil and attach it to one of the turkey’s wings.
For a football player, you can make a small helmet out of paper and attach it to the turkey’s head. For a basketball player, you can create a hoop background and have the turkey dunking a ball. The possibilities are endless depending on the sport your child chooses. For a soccer player, create a small soccer field with green paper and draw lines for the goal.
To add more detail, give your turkey cleats or sneakers by cutting out small shapes and attaching them to its feet. The sports player turkey disguise is a great way for kids to combine their love of sports with a fun and creative project.
12. Chef Turkey
Transform your turkey into a culinary master by dressing it up as a chef! Start by creating a chef’s hat out of white paper or fabric. You can make the hat tall and fluffy by folding the paper and attaching it to the turkey’s head. For the chef’s coat, use white construction paper or fabric and add buttons down the front. You can also make a small apron out of colored paper and tie it around the turkey’s waist.
Next, create some kitchen tools for the turkey to hold. You can make a spatula or wooden spoon out of cardboard or paper and attach it to one of the turkey’s wings. If you want to get really creative, you can make a small pot or pan out of foil and place it next to the turkey. To complete the disguise, add a name tag that says “Chef Turkey” on the apron or coat.
For the backdrop, you can create a small kitchen scene with paper utensils, ingredients, and a stove. Your chef turkey will be ready to whip up a Thanksgiving feast instead of being the main course!
13. Rock Star Turkey
If your child loves music, turn their turkey into a rock star ready to take the stage. Start by creating a rock star outfit using bold colors and glitter. You can make a leather jacket out of black paper or fabric and add some studs using small beads or sequins. Don’t forget the sunglasses! You can cut out a pair of shades from black paper and attach them to the turkey’s face.
Next, create a guitar for the turkey. You can make a guitar shape out of cardboard or paper and decorate it with stickers, glitter, and markers. Attach the guitar to one of the turkey’s wings, making it look like the turkey is ready to shred. For a microphone, you can use a toothpick and a small piece of foil to create a mini mic that the turkey can hold.
To finish the look, create a stage backdrop with paper lights, speakers, and an audience. Your rock star turkey will be ready to rock and roll this Thanksgiving!
14. Fairy Turkey
For a magical and enchanting disguise, turn your turkey into a fairy. Start by creating a pair of wings using colorful paper or fabric. You can decorate the wings with glitter, sequins, and stickers to give them a sparkling, fairy-like appearance. Attach the wings to the turkey’s back, making sure they’re big and vibrant.
Next, create a fairy dress using pastel-colored fabric or paper. Add some flowers, leaves, or butterflies to the dress for a whimsical touch. You can also make a flower crown for the turkey’s head using small paper or fabric flowers. For a magical wand, use a toothpick or small stick and add a star made from foil or glitter paper at the top.
To complete the fairy disguise, create a forest background with paper trees, flowers, and mushrooms. Your fairy turkey will be ready to sprinkle some magic dust and fly away from the Thanksgiving table!
15. Dinosaur Turkey
Roar! Disguise your turkey as a fearsome dinosaur with this prehistoric idea. Start by creating a dinosaur tail and spikes out of green or brown paper. Attach the tail to the turkey’s back and add the spikes along its body. You can also make a dinosaur headpiece with sharp teeth using construction paper and place it on top of the turkey’s head.
For the body, use green or brown paper to give the turkey a scaly, reptilian look. You can draw or glue on patterns to mimic dinosaur skin. To make the disguise even more fun, create some paper claws to attach to the turkey’s feet and wings.
For the backdrop, create a prehistoric scene with volcanoes, trees, and other dinosaurs. Your dinosaur turkey will look like it’s ready to stomp through the ages and avoid the Thanksgiving feast!
16. Robot Turkey
Turn your turkey into a futuristic robot with this cool disguise. Start by wrapping the turkey in silver foil or metallic paper to give it a shiny, robotic appearance. You can add buttons, dials, and switches using colored paper or stickers. For the robot’s eyes, cut out two circles from foil or metallic paper and attach them to the turkey’s face.
Next, create robot arms and legs out of cardboard or paper. You can make them look mechanical by adding gears and joints with markers or stickers. Attach the arms to the turkey’s wings and the legs to its feet. To give the robot turkey some extra features, create a small antenna out of pipe cleaners or straws and attach it to the top of its head.
To complete the disguise, create a futuristic backdrop with paper buildings, spaceships, or robots. Your robot turkey will be ready to beep, boop, and roll away from the dinner table!
17. Construction Worker Turkey
For a turkey that’s ready to build, disguise it as a construction worker. Start by making a hard hat out of yellow paper or cardboard and place it on the turkey’s head. You can also create a safety vest using orange or yellow paper and add reflective strips using silver foil or paper.
Next, make some construction tools like a hammer, wrench, or saw out of paper or cardboard. Attach these tools to the turkey’s wings to make it look like it’s ready for a day on the job site. You can also add a small tool belt made from paper or fabric around the turkey’s waist.
For the backdrop, create a construction site scene with paper buildings, cranes, and equipment. Your construction worker turkey will be ready to build, fix, and construct its way out of Thanksgiving dinner!
Conclusion
These 17 fun and creative turkey disguise ideas offer endless possibilities for kids and families to enjoy this Thanksgiving. From superheroes to rock stars, each disguise allows children to use their imaginations while creating a unique and memorable turkey. Whether you choose to go with a classic character or come up with your own original idea, disguising your turkey is a fun and interactive way to celebrate the holiday. So grab your craft supplies, let your creativity run wild, and get ready to create the most unforgettable turkey in town!