Toilet Paper Roll Turkey Craft With Free Template

This toilet paper roll turkey craft turns a simple tube into a colorful holiday decoration that children can proudly display. Kids can use the free printable tail template or decorate their bird with colorful pieces for a quick fall project.

This kids’ craft uses inexpensive supplies and works well at home, in preschool, in an elementary classroom, or at a family gathering. Children can practice cutting, gluing, color recognition, and fine motor skills while creating a festive bird with its own personality.

You can find the free template near the end of this post.

Cute and easy toilet paper roll turkey craft .

Table of Contents

Why Kids Will Enjoy This Fall Craft

Recycled-roll projects are simple enough for young children but still leave plenty of room for creativity. Kids can choose different colors, arrange the tail, draw a silly expression, or add a name to the front.

turkey cute animals turkey template turkey feather template free printable turkey feathers

This project is:

Easy to prepare with common supplies
Adaptable for preschool and elementary-age children
Useful for practicing cutting and gluing
Small enough to use as a place setting or table decoration
A creative way to reuse clean cardboard rolls
Available with printable pieces or real craft feathers

For more seasonal craft ideas, visit the complete collection of Thanksgiving crafts and printables for kids.

Supplies for a Toilet Paper Roll Turkey

Gather the materials before children begin so the project comes together quickly.

One clean toilet paper roll or recycled tube
Free printable turkey feather template
White cardstock or printer paper
Red and orange construction paper
Brown construction paper, optional
Googly eyes
Colorful decorative feathers, optional
Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
Child-safe scissors
Glue stick or washable glue
Hot glue, optional and for adult use only

supplies needed to make a cute turkey thanksgiving craft with kids

Can I Use a Paper Towel Roll?

A brown paper towel tube is another suitable option for this project. Cut it in half or into sections approximately the same height as a toilet roll. One paper towel tube can usually make two or three birds, making it a practical choice for a kids’ group activity.

You can leave a plain brown tube uncovered or wrap it in brown construction paper. If the cardboard roll has printing or adhesive residue, covering it creates a cleaner finished look.

How to Use the Free Turkey Craft Template

Download the craft template at the bottom of the post and print it on white cardstock or regular printer paper.

You can prepare the tail pieces in several ways:

Print the colored version and cut out each shape.
Print the black-and-white version and let children color each feather.
Trace the shapes onto red, orange, yellow, and brown construction paper.
Use the template as a guide while children draw their own designs.

Cardstock creates a sturdier tail, but regular paper is easier for some preschoolers to cut. If you are preparing the activity for a class, print one template for each child or trace several shapes before the lesson.

You can also use the options in this collection of printable turkey templates for additional sizes and designs.

How to Make a Turkey From a Toilet Paper Roll

Step 1: Prepare the Cardboard Tube

Make sure the cardboard tube is clean and dry. Leave it brown for a natural turkey body or cover it with construction paper.

free printable turkey template turkey feather template

To make a toilet paper roll body look more finished, cut a rectangle of brown paper tall enough to match the tube. Wrap the brown covering around the roll and secure the overlapping edge with glue.

Step 2: Make the Turkey Feathers

Print and cut out the template pieces. Children can color them before cutting, or they can trace the shapes onto construction paper.

free printable colored turkey template turkey feather template

For a fuller tail, use five to seven colored feathers. Younger kids may find three large pieces easier to arrange.

free printable black and white turkey template turkey feather template

If you prefer a softer, more textured look, substitute colorful decorative pieces for the paper shapes.

Step 3: Arrange the Tail

Place the feathers in a fan shape behind the roll. Move them around until the colors and spacing look balanced.

Attach the pieces where they overlap. Then secure the feathers to the back of the tube. Hold everything in place briefly so it does not slide while the adhesive begins to set.

cute toilet paper turkey cute real turkey

Step 4: Add the Turkey’s Eyes

Attach two googly eyes near the top front of the roll. Leave enough space below them for the beak and red facial detail.

If you do not have movable eyes, draw them with a black marker or cut small circles from white and black paper.

Step 5: Make the Beak

Cut a small diamond from orange construction paper and fold it in half to create the turkey’s beak. Secure one side below the eyes so it can open slightly.

Young children can use a simple orange triangle instead.

Step 6: Add the Wattle

Cut a small curved teardrop shape from red construction paper. Attach it beside or directly below the beak along the bird’s neck.

Explain that this red part is called the wattle. Learning its correct name introduces a little science vocabulary during the activity.

Wattle piece for the toilet paper roll turkey craft

Step 7: Let the Turkey Dry

Stand the finished figure upright and allow the adhesive to dry completely. If the tail makes it tip backward, gently flatten the bottom of the tube or use fewer heavy decorative pieces.

Once dry, children can write their names on the bottom or add extra details such as feet, wings, eyelashes, a bow tie, or a small “I am thankful for” sign.

Preschool Turkey Craft Ideas

This is an easy Thanksgiving project for preschoolers when the preparation matches their skills.

For younger children:

Pre-cut the beak and red facial piece.
Use large paper feathers with simple outlines.
Offer glue sticks instead of liquid adhesive.
Draw dots to show where the eyes and facial pieces belong.
Let children color the shapes before an adult cuts them.
Limit the color choices if too many supplies feel overwhelming.

Preschoolers do not need every turkey to look the same. The goal is to practice skills, make choices, and enjoy the crafty process.

For another fine motor activity, try the printable Thanksgiving lacing cards.

Classroom Holiday Activity

This roll turkey craft for kids is easy to prepare for preschool, kindergarten, or an elementary classroom.

Before the activity:

Ask families to send clean cardboard tubes or purchase new rolls.
Print one tail template for each student.
Sort the small supplies into individual trays or bags.
Pre-cut difficult pieces for younger students.
Make this turkey ahead of time so children can see the basic steps.

Encourage students to personalize their turkey art instead of copying the sample exactly. Afterward, place the finished creations on a shelf, windowsill, or bulletin board with a sign that says “Our Class Is Thankful.”

Pair the project with the writing prompts or thankful tree printable for a longer classroom lesson about gratitude.

How to Turn the Turkeys Into Holiday Decorations

These recycled-roll birds can become more than a take-home project.

Holiday Place Cards

Write each guest’s name on a small colored cardstock rectangle and tuck or attach it to the tail. Set these place cards at each seat around the dinner table.

Children’s Table Centerpiece

Arrange several finished figures with artificial leaves, small pumpkins, or pinecones in the center of the children’s table. Avoid placing paper decorations close to candles or other open flames.

Gratitude Turkeys

Have kids write one thing they are thankful for on each paper piece. This turns the project into a meaningful thankful turkey craft and holiday keepsake.

Classroom Display

Line the finished creations along a shelf or attach them to a bulletin board. Add each child’s name below their project to create a colorful class display.

Holiday Garland

Use lightweight paper feathers and carefully thread string through the upper portion of each tube. An adult should make the holes. Space the finished birds between paper leaves to create a fun Thanksgiving garland.

Paper or Decorative Feathers?

Both options work, but each creates a different experience.

Printable pieces are best when you want to help children practice coloring, cutting, arranging, and following a template. They are also easier to write on if you want to make a thankful turkey.

Soft decorative pieces add texture and require less cutting. They are useful when time is limited or when children need a simpler version of the activity.

You can combine both by using paper pieces for the main tail and adding one or two textured accents.

Tips for a Sturdier Turkey Craft

Print the template on cardstock when possible.
Apply a small amount of glue to secure each piece. Too much liquid adhesive can soften the tube.
Arrange the tail into a fan first, then attach the completed section to the roll.
Use tacky adhesive for real feathers.
Let the tail dry with the figure lying on its front if the pieces keep sliding.
If you need extra weight, place a small amount of dry rice in a sealed paper packet inside the tube. Secure it so children cannot open it.
Use new tubes when sanitation is a concern in classrooms or group settings.

More Turkey Crafts for Kids

Continue the fall theme with these creative projects:

Build a Turkey Printable includes pieces children can color, cut, and assemble.
Printable Turkey Handprint Craft creates a personalized holiday keepsake.
Turkey Popsicle Stick Craft uses another inexpensive classroom material.
Turkey Paper Bag Craft becomes a fun turkey puppet for pretend play.
Turkey Suncatcher Craft adds colorful fall art to a window.
Rocking Turkey Fingerprint Craft combines painting with an interactive paper craft.
Turkey Clothespin Craft gives children another way to create a colorful tail.
Printable Thankful Turkey encourages children to record what they’re thankful for.

More Fall Printables and Activities

Add one of these fun and easy activities to your holiday plans:

What Else Can Kids Make With Toilet Paper Rolls?

Recycled rolls can become animals, puppets, holiday characters, binoculars, pencil holders, or small gift containers. After making this toilet roll turkey, save extra TP rolls for other creative projects:

Clean rolls are useful recycled materials that are easy to decorate with construction paper, paint, markers, yarn, pom-poms, and printable templates. Avoid using tubes that are damp, crushed, or visibly dirty.

Easy thanksgiving toilet paper roll turkey craft

A Simple Thanksgiving Keepsake

This free toilet paper roll turkey gives children an easy Thanksgiving activity made from basic supplies. Whether you use printable pieces, construction paper, tissue paper, or colorful accents, every finished bird will look a little different.

Make one as an afternoon project, prepare a group for a classroom activity, or turn the finished creations into place cards for Thanksgiving dinner. Kids will love seeing how each design differs, so do not forget to download the printable template below.

How do you make a turkey from a toilet paper roll?

Cover a clean tube with brown paper if desired. Attach a fan of colorful pieces to the back, then add eyes, an orange beak, and a small red detail to the front. Wait until all the pieces are completely dry before displaying the bird.

Where can I get the free turkey template?

You can get the free printable tail template near the end of the post. Kids can decorate and cut the black-and-white design or choose the pre-colored version.

Can children paint the cardboard roll?

Paint the tube brown first, then set it aside to dry completely before adding the face and tail. Choose washable tempera or acrylic paint suitable for the child’s age.

What ages can make this toilet paper roll turkey craft?

The project works well for kids of all ages with age-appropriate help. A toddler or preschooler may need pre-cut pieces and help arranging the tail, while older children can prepare their own pieces and add more detailed decorations.

Can I use a new craft tube instead of a recycled roll?

New tubes work especially well in classrooms or daycare groups and are a convenient alternative to recycled rolls.

How can I use this craft to teach gratitude?

Have children write or draw one thing they appreciate on each feather. Invite them to share their answers before displaying the thankful turkey at home or in the classroom.