Paper Bag Pilgrim Turkey Craft (Free Template)

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The bright hat feathers and oversized beak of this paper bag pilgrim turkey craft make this activity an irresistible one for kids. Have all the kids join in to make a flock of pilgrim turkeys for your Thanksgiving table or a really cute classroom door decoration.

I love this adorable pilgrim turkey craft! It’s so much fun for kids of all ages to make, and I love adding them to our Thanksgiving decorations.

I have a few Thanksgiving crafts on this site, such as this cute Paper Plate Turkey Craft, but in truth, I haven’t shared all that many ideas over the years. That’s terrible because Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays!

That changes this year! I put my thinking cap on and have several that I’ve put together and will be sharing as quickly as I can over the next week or two.

So, if you need a new idea for an activity for your kids to do over Thanksgiving break, grab some craft supplies and let them create this adorable Paper Plate Pilgrim Turkey. The whole family (or school) will love it!

If you want more fun Thanksgiving craft ideas to keep kids busy during the Thanksgiving festivities, try my Disguise A Turkey Cut And Color Paper Craft or Thankful Thanksgiving Tree.

I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday with this creative activity! Happy Turkey Day!

Why You’ll Love This Pilgrim Turkey Craft

It hits all the marks – it’s different from other Thanksgiving crafts and cute enough to proudly display with your decorations!
Helps build fine motor skills – Cutting, tracing, and gluing work and strengthen all those small muscles in little hands!
Great to entertain kids – Thanksgiving break can be a lot of fun, but waiting for the big meal can be super hard. Let this activity distract them!
Perfect crafting length – This fun Thanksgiving craft only takes about 20 minutes long – more than 5 minutes, but not too long so that they get bored and stop.
Fun for kids of all ages – With a little adult help, even young toddlers can make a pilgrim turkey. Older kids can make this independently and can add their own creative flair!
Ideal craft to make at home or in the classroom!

Supplies Needed For Paper Bag Pilgrim Turkey Craft

This craft uses pretty basic items, so if you have a supply of kids’ craft items on hand, you may already have everything you need to make this easy Thanksgiving craft. Here’s what you need to gather:

Construction Paper – red, orange, yellow, black, white, brown, blue, green
Black Marker – I prefer a wide tip, but a medium tip also works nicely
Glue – glue stick or Elmer’s glue
Scissors – kids’ size and/or adult size. Use your best judgment about providing adult supervision with younger kids using scissors.
Paper Bag – lunch size
Pilgrim Turkey craft turkey – You can totally hand-draw the elements for this craft, but if you feel more comfortable using our template, click the link and grab it for free!

How to Make A Paper Bag Pilgrim Turkey Craft

Download the pilgrim turkey craft printable – Trace the templates and cut out the pieces of the turkey.
Outline with a black marker – Lay out the paper pieces for the eyes, waddle, and beak (use photos below for guidance). Outline the turkey pieces using a black colored marker.
Assemble the face – Next, attach the turkey’s face on top of the turkey (the paper bag), one piece at a time.
Add the hat and feathers – Once the turkey’s face has been glued to the paper bag, attach the pilgrim hat pieces and add the feathers to the middle of the hat.
Draw “feathers” on the body – Draw several upside-down ‘V’s on the paper bag to look like feathers on the turkey’s body.
Attach the wings – Finally, attach the turkey wings to each side of the turkey body.

Paper Bag Pilgrim Turkey Craft Notes And Expert Tips

Be sure the flap of the paper bag is on the top. The hat will be glued onto the flap.

If you have younger crafters making this turkey, I recommend pre-cutting the smaller pieces, such as the eyes and pupils.

Allow the turkey to dry completely before displaying it.

Tips For Groups And Classrooms

This turkey pilgrim is a great way to celebrate this time of year with a class or group of kids. Use these tips for success:

If you have younger students, pre-cutting the small pieces (eyes, pupils, small feathers) will make this project easier!
Use glue sticks or glue dots to make it faster and reduce mess.

Extend the activity!

Older kids may finish their pilgrim turkey craft quickly. One way to extend the activity is to have them do a writing assignment along with this craft.

It could be a poem, a short story, or a non-fiction piece of work about what inspires them (like the pilgrims were inspired to build a new life for themselves) or what they’re grateful for.

How To Display This Paper Bag Pilgrim Turkey Craft

Hang your new turkey friend on the fridge, the wall, or a bulletin board, for fun holiday decorations.

You could almost make a bunch of them and attach them to a string or twine and hang them on a mantle for a fun and colorful Thanksgiving garland.

Or turn them into placemats for your Thanksgiving table! Attach your turkey to a larger piece of paper or brown cardstock instead of a paper bag and laminate it to protect it from spills during Thanksgiving dinner. You could use them year after year or send them home with your guests!

Paper Bag Pilgrim Turkey Craft Variations To Try

Glue the face to the flap of the bag so that you can use it as a puppet. Cut larger feathers for the top of the bag instead of a hat.

Use large googly eyes instead of the templates for a fun and silly turkey.

Use any color for the hat, feathers, and hat band you choose. Be creative…..be YOU!!!

Instead of a paper bag, turn it into a beautiful and unique card! Fold a piece of construction paper in half and glue the pieces of the turkey on the front of the folded paper. Write a Thanksgiving message on the inside and take it to a neighbor. (You may have to make the turkey pieces a little smaller to fit on the card.)

Add some feet to the bottom of the turkey because it would be super cute!

Pilgrim Turkey Craft Free Printable

Download our free pilgrim turkey craft PDF to make it easy to create the shapes so you can put this craft together!

Paper Bag Pilgrim Turkey Craft FAQs

Can I use cardstock instead of construction paper?

Yes, you can! Use what you prefer or what you have on hand. The cardstock may be a little more difficult for smaller children to cut, so they may require some assistance.

Can I use glue dots to hold the pieces in place?

Technically, yes, you can. However, I prefer to use a glue stick or craft glue. The glue dots will not provide enough coverage to hold the construction pieces in place without them starting to curl.

Double-sided tape is a good option if you don’t have glue or a glue stick.

What is the purpose of outlining each piece, and do I have to do it?

The purpose of outlining the pieces is to give them a little more dimension and definition. It is not necessary, but does look amazing.

Could craft foam be used for the feathers?

YES!!! That is a great idea! You may have to cut the craft foam for younger crafters, but it will definitely work well for the turkey’s feathers.

More Thanksgiving Crafts and Activities To Try

If you love this pilgrim turkey craft and want even more Thanksgiving fun, try these fun activity ideas too!

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