Thanksgiving Pine Cone Turkey Craft

Please welcome my mom today as she shares a fun craft for the Thanksgiving holidays. My mom is not only a craftastical genius, but she is always surprising us all with her creative approach to table and entertaining decor. These fun Pine Cone Turkey Craft are so perfect for adding to you table not to mention a fun craft to do with the kids. Take it away, Mom!

This time of year always reminds me of when my daughter Amy (yes, this Amy) came home from 4 year old kindergarten with a turkey made from a pine cone and construction paper. She was very excited to tell about the first Thanksgiving that she had learned about that day and very proud of her turkey. Then when her daddy got home she went back over everything with him and asked “Daddy, can I go with you when you go to kill the turkey?” Needless to say, we both thought it was the cutest thing, but it did take  a while to convince her that we would just go the grocery store and buy one.

Over the years we have made many pine cone turkeys from very large to very small. Some years we would use the large ones in a centerpiece and the small ones as place cards at each place at the table e and others years make various sizes representing family members.

For years it was one of our traditions. You can easily make it one of yours. With very little expense, if any, you and the children or grandchildren can make turkeys to decorate your home or table for Thanksgiving. Just use a little imagination and glue and whatever you choose to put on your pine cone for its tail. (Note, when using leaves make sure they are already dried as wet or green leaves will curl up once they dry.)

Shown below are four different Pine Cone Turkey ideas along with a short list of supplies needed for each.

Leaf Pine Cone Turkey

Supplies for Leaf Pinecone Turkey:

• pine cones (for turkey body)
• dried magnolia leaves (for turkey tail)
• magnolia bud or small pine cone (for turkey head)
• red flower petals or small red leaves (for turkey wattle)
• craft glue (to attach everything)

Feather Pine Cone Turkey

Supplies for Feather Pine Cone Turkey:

• pine cones (for turkey body)
• feathers (for turkey tail and wattle)
• magnolia bud or small pine cone (for turkey head)
• craft glue (to attach everything)

Construction Paper Pine Cone Turkey

Supplies for Construction Paper Pine Cone Turkey:

• pine cones (for turkey body)
• colored construction paper (cut in the shape of feathers, turkey head and wattle)
• scissors
• craft glue (to attach everything)

Popsicle Stick Pine Cone Turkey

Supplies for Popsicle Stick Pine Cone Turkey:

• pine cones (for turkey body)
• colored popsicle sticks (for turkey tail feathers and cut in half for turkey head)
• red felt (cut in the shape of a turkey wattle)
• scissors
• craft glue (to attach everything)

These little turkeys are so easy and fun to make too. Happy crafting and Happy Turkey Day to you and yours! Gobble! Gobble!

Originally published November 5, 2015.