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Nature · Thanksgiving · Seniors

Pine cone turkeys

Little Thanksgiving turkeys with paper feather tails, made from pine cones you pick up on a walk.

Pine cone turkeys
LevelBeginner
AgesWith grandkids ages 4 and up
Time30 minutes
Cost$2 to $6
ThanksgivingFallDollar storeOutdoors

What you'll need

Materials

Tick them off as you find them.

Tools

How to make it

Safety

Googly eyes are a choking hazard for children under 3.

  1. Step 1: Gather the cones
    1

    Gather the cones

    Collect dry, open pine cones. Shake out any bugs and bits of leaf.

  2. Step 2: Cut the feathers
    2

    Cut the feathers

    Trace and cut 5 or 6 teardrop shapes from the colored cardstock.

  3. Step 3: Fan the tail
    3

    Fan the tail

    Tuck the feathers into the scales at the wide end of the cone. Add a dot of glue to each.

  4. Step 4: Make the head
    4

    Make the head

    Cut a brown circle about the size of a quarter. Glue on 2 eyes and a little red wattle.

  5. Step 5: Glue on the head
    5

    Glue on the head

    Stick the head to the pointy end of the cone. Hold it 30 seconds while the glue grabs.

Edie's tip

Write one thing you're thankful for on each feather. The turkeys become place-setting conversation starters.

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