Paper Turkey Napkin Ring: Printable Thanksgiving Craft for Kids 🦃

Are up for a new printable Thanksgiving craft? Today I’ve got you a turkey craft, but not just any turkey craft – this 3D paper turkey turns into a DIY napkin ring, making it a cute and practical addition to your Thanksgiving table. Kids will love creating their own turkey, with its little pilgrim hat, then proudly setting it on the table for everyone to enjoy.

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A Winning Thanksgiving Turkey Craft 

There are lots of turkey crafts and great Thanksgiving ideas out there, but the printable turkey we’ll make today gets extra points. Here’s why:

  • Simple and Easy: I kept the design straightforward, with large and clear outlines, so it’s easy for kids to color, cut, and fold on their own.
  • Ready to Go in Minutes: Just print the template and gather a few basic craft supplies you likely already have.
  • Coloring + Crafting: The combination of coloring and assembling levels up the busy time. Kids can add their own colors and details, making the turkey uniquely theirs.
  • Clever 3D Design: This turkey has a 3D design with a wide, fanned tail, flapping wings, and a solid base to make it stand upright. It’s fun to see the flat template turning into a three dimensional item, not to mention the delight of displaying it as a DIY Thanksgiving decoration!

And here is one more nice thing about this craft: It’s a freebie! I share the printable template exclusively with my newsletter subscribers, so if you are a subscriber, watch your mailbox for the email with this turkey craft template.

If you are not a subscriber yet, you can get the free template for this craft through the sign-up form at the end of this post.

Printable Thanksgiving craft for kids: DIY paper turkey napkin ring to color, cut, and assemble. Fun and easy Thanksgiving table decor idea!

How to Make Your Turkey Napkin Ring

Ready to start making this Thanksgiving turkey craft with your kids? Let’s jump right to it!

What you’ll need*:

* Includes Amazon affiliate links

Steps:

1. Print the free template, available to my newsletter subscribers through the sign-up box below. Use cardstock for a sturdier result.

2. Color the pieces using your favorite coloring tools. Alcohol-based markers work well for smooth, vibrant coverage.

Printable Thanksgiving craft for kids: DIY paper turkey napkin ring to color, cut, and assemble. In this step: color the printable template.

3. Cut along the solid lines to separate each part.

Printable Thanksgiving craft for kids: DIY paper turkey napkin ring to color, cut, and assemble. In this step: cut out the parts.

4. Glue the matching head pieces back-to-back so the illustrated sides face out.

Printable Thanksgiving craft for kids: DIY paper turkey napkin ring to color, cut, and assemble. In this step: glue the head parts back-to-back.

5. Find both pieces of the pilgrim’s hat and fold along the dashed lines to create the brim.

Tip: For easier folding, place a ruler along the dashed line, then fold the paper over it.

Printable Thanksgiving craft for kids: DIY paper turkey napkin ring to color, cut, and assemble. In this step: fold the hat parts.

6. Glue the hat pieces back-to-back with the head sandwiched between them, covering the dotted area on the turkey’s head. Leave the brim unglued so it pops to the sides. Make sure the hat buckle points to the beak.

Printable Thanksgiving craft for kids: DIY paper turkey napkin ring to color, cut, and assemble. In this step: glue the pilgrim's hat to the turkey's head.

7. Fold the turkey’s body in half along the central dashed line, folding outwards so the line stays outside the fold.

Printable Thanksgiving craft for kids: DIY paper turkey napkin ring to color, cut, and assemble. In this step: fold the turkey's body in half.

8. Fold the tail flaps inward along the dashed lines. These flaps will support the tail later.

Printable Thanksgiving craft for kids: DIY paper turkey napkin ring to color, cut, and assemble. In this step: fold the tail flaps.

9. Fold the dashed lines on each side of the turkey’s thighs, folding inwards so the lines stay inside the fold.

Printable Thanksgiving craft for kids: DIY paper turkey napkin ring to color, cut, and assemble. In this step: fold the lines on the turkey's thighs.

10. Fold the remaining dashed lines on the body piece outwards, keeping the lines visible.

Printable Thanksgiving craft for kids: DIY paper turkey napkin ring to color, cut, and assemble. In this step: fold the remaining lines of the body piece.

11. Flip the body so the illustrated side is facing down. Spread glue in the middle area, between the central fold and the two folds of the thighs (see the picture). Keep the glue away from other areas to let turkey’s legs can split up.

Printable Thanksgiving craft for kids: DIY paper turkey napkin ring to color, cut, and assemble. In this step: Spread glue on the inner part of the body.

12. Before gluing the body sides, tuck the neck end between them. Make sure the head is straight, then press the body sides together to secure.

Printable Thanksgiving craft for kids: DIY paper turkey napkin ring to color, cut, and assemble. In this step: tuck the neck between the body pieces.

13. Close up the turkey’s body: spread glue on the ‘glue tab’ and attach it to the opposite side, creating a rectangle that helps the turkey stand upright.

Printable Thanksgiving craft for kids: DIY paper turkey napkin ring to color, cut, and assemble. In this step: close up the base by gluing the tab.

14. Glue the matching tail pieces back-to-back with the illustrated sides facing out.

Printable Thanksgiving craft for kids: DIY paper turkey napkin ring to color, cut, and assemble. In this step: glue the tail parts back-to-back.

15. Spread glue on the tail flaps of the body and attach the tail to them.

Printable Thanksgiving craft for kids: DIY paper turkey napkin ring to color, cut, and assemble. In this step: glue the tail.

16. Fold each wing’s ‘glue tab’ outwards along the dashed line. Apply glue to the tabs and attach each wing to the body, with the feathered ends facing backward.

Printable Thanksgiving craft for kids: DIY paper turkey napkin ring to color, cut, and assemble. In this step: add the wings.

And there you have it! Your paper turkey is ready for Thanksgiving. Now you can slide a napkin through the rectangular base, and your unique DIY Thanksgiving table decor is complete!

Printable Thanksgiving craft for kids: DIY paper turkey napkin ring to color, cut, and assemble. In this step: slide a napkin and your turkey napkin ring is complete!

More Thanksgiving Freebies

I’ve got more lovely Thanksgiving ideas for you. Take a look at these freebies:

Free printable Thanksgiving table setting kit for kids: printable utensil holder, napkin ring and straw topper, with cute cartoons by #Ayelet_Keshet.

  • Printable Thanksgiving Gift Tags: Six beautiful, fall-themed gift tags to print in minutes! They make any gift or place setting extra special and are perfect for Thanksgiving tables.

Free Thanksgiving printables: Cute Thanksgiving tags to print at home. #Ayelet_Keshet #Thanksgiving #ThanksgivingPrintables #ThanksgivingTags #GiftTags

  • DIY Thanksgiving Cards: Get the printable materials for making gorgeous DIY Thanksgiving cards, plus my detailed instructions for how to craft them.

Craft tutorial: make DIY handmade Thanksgiving cards with free printable illustrations #DIY #Thanksgiving #handmade #papercraft

I hope these Thanksgiving crafts and printables will bring you lots of joy! And don’t forget to grab your printable Turkey Napkin Ring template through the sign-up box below:

 

* All the free printables in my website are for personal, non-commercial use. Please always share them with a link and credit. Thanks!