Party Whammy

27 turkey disguise cards

Draw a disguise or print the cards. The first group uses simple pieces; the later groups add props and larger costumes.

Party-safeOffer costume cards and glue sticks, with pre-cut pieces or a pre-glued turkey and stickers for guests who need a simpler versionQuiet build with a loud gallery vote

How to play

  1. Print one turkey base per guest plus do-overs, and tape two sample disguises at kid eye level
  2. Deal one disguise card per guest and allow one trade before any glue stick opens
  3. Build in one wave of eight with trays refilled at the ten-minute mark, then rack finished turkeys to dry
  4. Run the writing line while glue sets, then hang turkeys number-up for the gallery
  5. Vote with three chips per guest, ribbon the winners, and put each dry turkey in a bag with its name facing out
Random disguise card

Draw one when the room is ready

Astronaut — white helmet ring taped around the head with a gray visor window left open for the eyes

Quick-glue disguises — pile 1

Nine disguises using simple pieces from the pre-cut bin. Allow extra time when guests need help.

  1. Astronaut — white helmet ring taped around the head with a gray visor window left open for the eyes
  2. Chef — white paper toque above the head, marker apron with two pockets, paper spoon tucked under one wing
  3. Unicorn — rainbow-stripe paper horn on the forehead, yarn mane down the neck, marker eyelashes
  4. Clown — red pom-pom nose, pleated paper ruffle at the neck, polka-dot paper bow tie
  5. Pirate — paper eye patch on one side, knotted bandana triangle, cardboard hook replacing one wing
  6. Superhero — paper cape flowing off both shoulders with a lightning bolt, felt mask across the eyes
  7. Ballerina — coffee-filter tutu fanned at the waist, yarn bun on top, marker ribbons down the legs
  8. Firefighter — red paper helmet with a yellow shield, coiled paper hose gripped under the wing
  9. Robot — foil chest panel with bottle-cap dials, boxy paper head, one pipe-cleaner antenna

Costume-build disguises — pile 2

Nine disguises that add a prop or another layer of clothing.

  1. Dinosaur — three paper horns on the head, a frill of pointed plates behind the neck, marker scales on the body
  2. Mermaid — foil tail wrapping the lower body, paper shells across the chest, yarn hair down to the tail tip
  3. Santa — red cone hat with cotton trim, cotton-ball beard, black belt strip with a foil buckle
  4. Police officer — navy paper cap with a foil badge, paper radio taped at the shoulder
  5. Doctor — white coat rectangle over the body, paper stethoscope loop, marker cross on one wing
  6. Wizard — purple cone hat covered in foil stars, paper wand with a foil star tip
  7. Rock star — paper sunglasses, foil microphone under one wing, marker spikes for hair
  8. Construction worker — yellow paper hard hat, orange safety-vest rectangle, paper toolbox by the feet
  9. Bee — black and yellow striped body overlay, wax-paper wings, pipe-cleaner antennae

Showstopper disguises — pile 3

Nine builds for older kids who want the disguise to hide every feather.

  1. Hot-air balloon — the turkey rides a paper basket under a tissue-paper dome held by four yarn strings
  2. Disco ball — body wrapped in foil squares, dot-sticker mirrors, cardboard sunglasses hiding the eyes
  3. Turkey in bed — felt blanket up to the chin, paper pillow, nightcap, and a paper Do Not Disturb tag
  4. Popcorn box — red and white striped paper box around the body, crumpled tissue popcorn, head peeking over the rim
  5. Spa-day turkey — towel turban, paper cucumber slices over the eyes, robe collar up, cotton-ball slippers
  6. Gnome — cotton beard over the whole chest, tall cone hat hiding the head, body shaped into a triangle robe
  7. Scarecrow — yarn straw tufts at the cuffs, patched paper flannel shirt, paper sunflower hat
  8. Viking — paper horned helmet, braided yarn beard, cardboard shield covering one wing
  9. Ice-cream cone — brown paper cone wrapped around the body, head as the scoop, pom-pom cherry on top

Disguise a turkey party craft

Give each guest a turkey outline and a disguise idea, then turn the finished birds into a Thanksgiving gallery. The 27 cards below include paper hats, costumes and larger disguises such as a popcorn box or hot-air balloon. Guests can draw an idea with the picker or use the printed cards.

For eight children, prepare ten turkey bases, three shared material trays and a place to display the finished crafts. Allow about 45 minutes for the example session below, with more time for elaborate costumes or glue that is still wet.

Prepare the turkey bases

Use one turkey outline per guest on 8.5-by-11-inch card stock, plus two spare sheets. Use a body about 6 inches tall, with the tail fan behind it on the same sheet. Leave room for a name at the bottom right and a short caption.

Draw an outline or use a turkey outline you already have. The disguise cards supply costume ideas; they are not a turkey-outline download. Prepare two finished examples and display them where children can see them.

Deal one disguise card to each guest. Allow one trade before gluing starts. Younger guests can choose from pre-cut hats and clothing; guests who want a longer project can try a larger disguise. A thankful tree craft gives family members another activity if they prefer writing or drawing to costumes.

Gather supplies for eight children

  • Ten turkey bases on card stock: eight for guests and two spares.
  • Four glue sticks for sharing and one roll of masking tape.
  • One sheet each of white, black, red, yellow, brown and pink card stock.
  • One sheet of 64 googly-eye stickers, 40 cotton balls and 24 pipe cleaners.
  • A sandwich bag of yarn scraps and one sheet of kitchen foil.
  • Four pairs of children’s scissors for guests using scissors.
  • Three trays, each with a crayon cup.
  • Gallery number cards, voting labels, paper ribbons and eight gallon zip bags.

Check the chosen cards before setting out supplies. Some ideas also call for coffee filters, tissue paper, felt, pom-poms, wax paper, bottle caps, cardboard or other paper colors. Use paper and drawn details as alternatives where they suit the costume—for example, draw robot dials rather than adding bottle caps.

For eight seats, use three trays. Start each tray with one glue stick, 12 pre-cut costume pieces, six googly-eye stickers and four cotton balls. Keep the fourth glue stick and remaining supplies nearby for refills. Line trays with paper towels; keep foil, yarn and pipe cleaners at the host’s table until someone asks for them.

Offer pre-cut pieces for ages 4 and 5 and a pre-glued hat with dot stickers for younger guests. Adapt the help to the children at your table rather than assuming age alone tells you who can cut or glue independently.

For other crafts using shared trays, see the cupcake-liner flower station and sock caterpillar station.

Set up the craft table

  • Print or draw the bases and add name lines.
  • Prepare the 27 disguise cards using the print controls.
  • Cut some hats, clothing and costume pieces in advance.
  • Stock three trays and keep refill supplies nearby.
  • Display two sample turkeys.
  • Clear a place for drying and a wall or door for the gallery.
  • Set out three labelled voting containers for each gallery entry.
  • Prepare paper ribbons and take-home bags.

Help each guest write a caption

Start with My turkey is not a turkey, it is… A guest might finish it with “an astronaut looking for the moon” or “a chef making pumpkin soup.” These are examples; each child can invent their own explanation.

Offer these six starters while the glue sets:

  • You cannot prove I am a turkey, because I am busy ___
  • If you look for feathers, you will only find ___
  • The farmer walked right past me because I was ___
  • Nobody checks the ___ at Thanksgiving, which is exactly where I hide
  • Gobble? I have never said that word in my life. What I say is ___
  • Hire me for ___ and I will work for breadcrumbs

A child who is not yet writing can dictate to an adult or buddy. Put the caption beside the turkey in the gallery.

Turkey’s name: ______________________________

My turkey is not a turkey, it is: ______________________________

Because: ___________________________________________________

Try this 45-minute craft session

This is an example for eight guests with bases and costume pieces prepared beforehand. Larger disguises may need longer. The ten-minute drying period is a pause to check the crafts, not a promise that every glue joint will be dry.

  1. 0–5 minutes: Pick disguises. Show the samples, deal cards and allow one trade.
  2. 5–25 minutes: Decorate the turkeys. Help with costume pieces and refill all trays ten minutes into decorating.
  3. 25–35 minutes: Write captions while the crafts dry. Set finished turkeys aside and help guests complete their captions.
  4. 35–40 minutes: Display the turkeys and vote. Hang the dry crafts with numbers and captions.
  5. 40–45 minutes: Count votes and give out ribbons. Give every turkey a title and bag the crafts that are dry enough to travel.

The five intervals total 45 minutes. Keep a wet or unfinished craft aside while the vote runs.

Display the turkeys and count the votes

Number each gallery entry. Place three containers beneath each turkey, labelled Best Costume Change, Most Likely to Fool a Farmer and Funniest Face.

Give each guest three voting chips—one for each category. You can use dried pasta, buttons or dot stickers. If using stickers, provide a voting sheet instead of containers. Each guest puts one vote in each category, beside the turkey they choose.

Count each category separately and award a paper ribbon to its winner. For a tie, give both entries a ribbon. Give every remaining turkey a descriptive title too, such as “Turkey with the Tallest Hat” or “Turkey Ready for Space.” Titles are suggestions, not extra vote categories.

Use these blank rows to record the results:

Entry numberGuest or turkey nameCostume votesFarmer votesFunny-face votesRibbon or title
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

Check that the glue is dry before sliding each turkey into a gallon zip bag with its name facing out. Leave slower-drying crafts aside until they are ready.

Choose another activity for the table

Play Thanksgiving picture bingo while finished crafts dry, or choose another activity from Thanksgiving games for the family.

If guests want a second take-home craft, the turkey puppet craft keeps the turkey theme. For another day, try a paper pinwheel station or washi tape butterfly station. The paper gingerbread house template and paper bag star party offer winter follow-ups.

For food alongside the craft table, see craft party food kids actually eat. Browse Craft Party Activities for another craft or Quiet Party Games for a quieter activity.

Questions about the turkey craft

How long does the craft take?

Allow about 45 minutes for the example session with eight guests and pre-cut supplies. Elaborate disguises or glue that is still wet may need longer.

What ages can take part?

This craft is intended for ages 4 and up, with pre-cut pieces for ages 4 and 5. Younger guests can decorate a pre-glued turkey with stickers. Adjust cutting, gluing and writing help to each child.

Can I use it with a classroom?

For 24 students, prepare 26 bases and eight trays, one per three desks. Increase shared supplies for the larger group and allow extra time for displaying crafts and counting votes.

What if two guests want the same disguise?

Let them make the same costume or offer a trade before gluing begins. Different colors, props and captions can make the finished turkeys distinct.

How do I pack the turkeys to take home?

Set finished crafts aside for about ten minutes, then check the glue. Put dry crafts into gallon zip bags with the names facing out; leave wet crafts aside longer.