How to Make a Paper Bag Turkey

In honor of fall and the Thanksgiving holiday season, kids can make fun and easy Thanksgiving turkeys using colored construction paper, lunch bags, and popcorn. Kids of all ages and skill levels will enjoy making these whimsical paper bag turkeys, and they can add their own special touches. These paper bag turkeys make fantastic party favors, place card holders, and table decorations.

Necessary Supplies

To make one paper bag turkey with all of the trimmings you'll need a brown paper lunch bag, various colors of construction paper, glue, double-sided tape, and freshly popped corn. You'll also need a pencil, a fine-tip marker, and a pair of scissors.

Optional Supplies

Optionally you can further embellish this paper bag turkey with items such as glitter, craft eyes, craft feathers, or anything else you can dream up. You can also stuff the paper bag turkey with candy instead of popcorn.

If you want to turn these paper bag turkeys into place card holders you'll need cardstock. To make them more appealing and interesting you can use decorative-edge scissors instead of the standard variety.

Procedure

Begin by making a face for the turkey by drawing and cutting out round eyes, a beak, and a gobbler. Also, draw and cut out about a dozen feathers of various colors.

Open the lunch bag, and fold it over evenly about two inches from the top. Glue on the eyes, beak, and gobbler, and draw on any features you wish to add. Next, turn the bag around, and glue the feathers to the back. Spread them out so they show in front.

Lastly, fill the bag with freshly popped popcorn or candy of your choice. Fold the top, and secure it using double-sided tape.

Decorating Options

Instead of using construction paper for the feathers, use actual craft feathers. Instead of drawing on eyes or using construction paper eyes, glue on plastic craft eyes. Embellish the finished paper bag turkey with sparkling glitter.

If you want to add glitter to the feathers, use spray adhesive, and liberally sprinkle on fine glitter. The feathers will look very impressive! You can find very fine glitter in craft stores and the craft section of discount stores, or you can shop for it online to obtain the best price. Iridescent green and purple are a perfect choice for a Thanksgiving paper bag turkey.

To make place card holders, cut out tags from cardstock, and write the names of guests on the cards. Mount the cards on the tops of the bags, and organize your Thanksgiving Day table before guests arrive. Kids love these turkey bags filled with popcorn or candy, and adults are just as impressed!