If you’re looking for a great turkey craft this Fall, this is it! These adorable pinecone turkeys are great just for fun or to help little ones practice patterns.

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.

Ready to make some at your house? This craft is so simple that it can easily be adapted for any age child. Our original turkey was created by my daughter in kindergarten.  Let’s get started!

Pinecone Turkey Craft

Materials

• 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

Instructions

1.  Cut each pipe cleaner in half.
2. String 8-12 beads on each pipe cleaner. (This is a great time for little ones to practice patterns.) 
3. 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.
4. 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.)
5. Draw two eyes on the face and “U” shapes on the neck of the turkey.
6. Glue on the turkey’s beak.
7. Bend the pipe cleaners in half (with rounded tops) to create the feathers.
8. 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.)
9. 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!

These can be used to decorate your mantle this Fall, or even your Thanksgiving table!

More Thanksgiving Ideas

About the Author

Heidi from One Creative Mommy is a retired teacher and stay-at-home mom who loves to create. Visit her website for creative ideas including gluten-free recipes, crafts, kids’ stuff, and more!