Disguise a Turkey as a Ballerina Printable Craft (Color and Black and White)

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This free ballerina turkey disguise printable turns a plain bird into a tutu-wearing dancer, too busy with her recital to make it to Thanksgiving dinner.

This turkey-in-disguise printable includes a turkey template with a full feather display, a tutu, a crown with hearts, and ballet slippers, in both color and black-and-white versions to color. Get the digital download at the bottom of this post, then print, cut, and glue.

Keep the Thanksgiving fun going with our 65+ Thanksgiving Crafts and Printables for Kids and our collection of Turkey in Disguise Project Ideas.

Disguise a Turkey as a Ballerina (Free Printable PDF)

It’s a sweet idea for the school disguise-a-turkey project, especially for children who take dance or twirl through the living room every chance they get.

What’s in the Printable PDF:

• A bird with a full feather display
• A tutu
• A crown with hearts
• Ballet slippers
• Simple template pieces to cut and paste
• A color version for quick, no-coloring prep
• A blank black-and-white version for children who want to color their own

The color version is great when the project is due tomorrow. Choose the black-and-white option if your teacher wants to see your child’s own work.

Supplies Needed:

• Ballerina craft printable PDF (download below)
• White cardstock
• Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
• Child-safe scissors
• Glue stick

Optional extras if your teacher allows 3D pieces:

• Tulle, netting, or a pink cupcake liner for a real tutu
• Sequins, gems, or a little glitter for the crown
• Ribbon for ballet slipper laces
• Craft feathers in pink, purple, or white
• A small piece of lace or doily

How to Make the Disguise a Ballerina Turkey

1. Download the PDF and print it on cardstock at 100% or “actual size” so the costume pieces fit the turkey.
2. Pick your version. Use the color pages for a quick craft, or the black-and-white pages to decorate.
3. Color the bird and the costume. Pink and purple are classic, but a princess dancer, rainbow look, or even unicorn colors can work.
4. Cut out the body, tutu, crown, and slippers. Younger children may need help around the crown points.
5. Lay the pieces out before gluing so your child can see what the turkey in disguise looks like.
6. Glue from back to front: tutu first, then the slippers, then the crown on top.
7. Add sparkle last. Place sequins and glitter after you secure the paper pieces.
8. Let it dry flat. Give it an hour, or overnight if you used tacky glue for tulle or gems.

For preschool and kindergarten, cut out the pieces ahead of time and let your child color, place, and glue during this simple activity for kids.

Ways to Make the Tutu Stand Out

The tutu is the star of this disguise. A few easy upgrades:

• Cupcake liner tutu: Flatten a pink or pastel cupcake liner, cut it in half, and glue it over the printed skirt. It gives a ruffled look with no sewing.
• Tulle tutu: Cut a small rectangle of tulle, pinch it in the middle, and glue it at the waist.
• Tissue paper tutu: Crumple small squares of tissue paper and glue them in layers.
• Coffee filter tutu: Color a coffee filter with washable markers, spray lightly with water so the colors bleed, and let it dry before gluing.

If your teacher wants the turkey disguise project kept flat, stick with tissue paper. It adds texture without sticking out.

Dance-Themed Writing Prompts

If the project includes a worksheet or writing piece, these give your child an easy start:

• “My turkey is disguised as a ballerina because ___.”
• “Nobody will find me on Thanksgiving. I’ll hide backstage and dance on stage in my tutu!”
• “The farmer saw a dancer twirling across the barn. He never knew it was Tom turkey!”
• Older children: write about the bird’s first big recital and how she escaped Thanksgiving dinner just in time.

Tips for the Best Finished Project

• Print on cardstock. Thin paper wrinkles under glue and tears in a backpack.
• Keep it light. Heavy gems and thick tulle can pull the turkey disguise craft off a bulletin board.
• Add glitter last, over a paper plate or tray, so it doesn’t end up everywhere.
• Write your child’s name on the back before it leaves the house.
• Carry it to school in a file folder so the tutu doesn’t get crushed.

Download the Printable PDF

The download is a free PDF kit. Print it at 100% scale on cardstock to create a sturdy finished piece for your autumn classroom or home activity.

More Disguise a Turkey Printables

See every idea in our Turkey in Disguise Project Ideas roundup, or try another free printable:

• Disguise a Turkey as a Unicorn: another sparkly favorite
• Disguise a Turkey as a Mermaid
• Disguise a Turkey as a Detective
• Pirate Turkey in Disguise
• Disguise a Turkey as a Sports Star
• Blank Disguise a Turkey Printable: a plain turkey template for any disguise
• Turkey in Disguise Coloring Pages

Have a dancer who loves this one? Save the leftover tulle for the Ballerina Christmas Ornament next month, or browse all 65+ Thanksgiving Crafts and Printables for Kids.

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