Turkey Bowl Craft

Kids can turn a simple margarine tub into a festive Thanksgiving turkey bowl with this simple craft—perfect for holding treats your holiday guests are sure to gobble up.

What you'll need:

• Margarine tub
• Printed pattern
• Crayons, markers, paint, or colored pencils
• Scissors
• Thick craft glue
• Paperclips to hold drying parts
• Brown colored construction paper or burlap
• Craft foam, optional

How to make it:

Before you start

1. Find a place to work, and protect it with a large sheet of paper.
2. Gather all your materials.
3. Read all the directions, there will be choices to make that will affect which materials you need

Making Your Turkey Bowl

Step 1 - Print Patterns

Print out pattern. You might want to print it on tan paper to reduce the amount of coloring necessary. You'll need one head/wings pattern, and one feathers pattern. If possible, print the pattern on heavy paper.

Print a sample pattern first, to determine which size you'll need. If you need a size not provided, use the basic shapes as a guideline for making your own.

Small head/wings - small feathers

Medium head/wings - medium feathers

Step 2 - Cover the Margarine Tub

Glue construction paper, burlap, or ripped construction paper pieces (to look like feathers) to the outside of the margarine tub, covering it. Set it aside to dry and work on the next step.

Step 3 - Color or Make Construction Paper Pieces

Color the turkey pieces as you wish. Another option is to use the patterns shown as patterns for cutting out construction paper versions of the turkey from brown, tan, orange and yellow construction paper. Be creative in your color choices.

Only color one side of the paper on the head and feathers, as they will be glued together in Step 4.

Step 3 - Cut Out

Cut out all the shapes, if you colored them in, on the computer printout. If you're making them out of construction paper, they're already cut out.

Step 4 - Glue Head and Feathers Together

To make the pieces sturdier, glue the back of the head to the front of the head, and glue the feathers together in the same way, creating five feathers when you are done. Use a thin layer of glue, and set them aside to dry nice and flat.

Step 5 - Attach the Parts to the Tub

Glue the head to the front of the tub, and the wings onto the sides. You might need to use paperclips to help hold them in place until the glue dries. Glue the tail feathers to the back of the tub in a semi-circular shape.

You're Done!

Once the glue has dried, remove the paper clips, and enjoy your new bowl. It's a fun way to decorate the table and serve nuts or wrapped candies.

More Ideas

Construction paper feathers can be cut to make a feathery fringe instead of drawing on the lines. Cut the fringe after gluing the two feathers together into one.

The head, wings, and feathers can be made from thin craft foam instead of paper.

A small basket can be substituted for the margarine tub.

Use brown and orange calico fabric to cover the tub, and then make the pattern pieces with thin cardboard (like from a cereal box) and cover them with an assortment of calico fabrics for a country look.

Tips:

• Construction paper feathers can be cut to make a feathery fringe instead of drawing on the lines. Cut the fringe after gluing the two feathers together into one.
• The head, wings, and feathers can be made from thin craft foam instead of paper.
• A small basket can be substituted for the margarine tub.
• Use brown and orange calico fabric to cover the tub, and then make the pattern pieces with thin cardboard (like from a cereal box) and cover them with an assortment of calico fabrics for a country look. 
• If you don't have a margarine tub, you could also use a folded down small (lunch size) paper bag.