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    Home » Fall Recipes and Activities

    Turkey Suncatcher Craft

    Published: Nov 14, 2023 by Vicky · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

    256 shares
    • 2
    Jump to Craft

    Gobble, gobble! My kids made a colorful Turkey Suncatcher Craft. They can be hung in a window, and when the sunlight streams through, they just brighten up the room. This is one of our favorite Thanksgiving Activities for Kids!

    These turkeys are simple to make with many items that you already have at home. You might also enjoy this Scrapbook Paper Thanksgiving Turkey Craft and this Pipe Cleaner Turkey.  Thanks to Imperial Sugar for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

    turkey suncatcher craft.jpg
    Jump to:
    • ☀Why This Turkey Suncatcher Craft Is Awesome
    • ✂Supply Notes
    • 📋How To Make Homemade Decoupage Glue
    • 📋How To Make A Turkey Suncatcher Craft
    • 🤷🏻‍♀️Activity FAQs
    • ✂️Expert Tips
    • 🍁Related Posts
    • ✂Craft Tutorial

    ☀Why This Turkey Suncatcher Craft Is Awesome

    • The colored tissue paper creates such pretty see through patterns when added to wax paper.
    • Tearing of the tissue paper makes this craft great for practicing fine motor skills. Little hand muscles really need to work to get the tissue paper into strips. For another great use for tissue paper check out this Tissue Paper Square Collage..
    • Each feather on the turkey is so unique because of the placement of the tissue paper.


    ✂Supply Notes

    • Tissue Paper - In assorted colors.
    • Wax Paper - Used to make the feathers and allows the sun to shine through the tissue paper.
    • Decoupage Glue - You can buy your own like Mod Podge or make it. We have a recipe for homemade decoupage glue below.
    • Paint Brush - To brush the glue on to the wax paper.
    • Construction Paper - You will use this to make the turkey's body.
    • Scissors - For cutting out the feathers.
    • Black Marker - To draw the turkey feather and the pupil in the turkey eye
    • All-purpose flour, Imperial Sugar Extra Fine Granulated Sugar, vegetable oil, water - To make decoupage glue


    📋How To Make Homemade Decoupage Glue

    STEP 1: Mix all flour, sugar, vegetable oil and water in a large bowl with a whisk until smooth.

    homemade glue in blue bowl with paint brush.

    📋How To Make A Turkey Suncatcher Craft

    STEP 1: Tear tissue paper into thin strips.

    child tearing tissue paper.

    STEP 2: Tape a large piece of wax paper onto a table and brush glue onto half of the waxed paper. This should be a thin layer of glue.

    child brushing glue on wax paper

    STEP 3: Place the tissue paper over the glue, overlapping until the surface is covered. As you lay down each piece, smooth it, so it lies flat.

    child making a tissue paper craft.

    STEP 4: Brush a thin layer of glue over the tissue paper.

    child painting glue on tissue paper strips.

    STEP 5: Fold the other half of the waxed paper over the tissue and flatten until the surface becomes smooth and free of air bubbles.

    child making a Turkey Suncatcher Craft.

    STEP 6: Let dry overnight, then fold in half again. Draw an outline of turkey feathers along the seam. You only need to draw half of the feathers since the rest will be revealed when you cut and then unfold the wax paper.

    wax paper with feathers drawn on.

    STEP 7: Cut around the feather outline and open to reveal the turkey feathers. Using various colors of construction paper, cut out a turkey body, beak, eyes and wattle. Assemble the turkey body and glue onto the wax paper turkey feathers to complete your look.

    Hang in the window and enjoy the pretty colors that come alive as the sun appears.

    turkey suncatcher craft in window.

      

    🤷🏻‍♀️Activity FAQs

    Can I use contact paper instead of wax paper and glue?

    Yes, you can. Just follow the same directions except for the parts about the wax paper and glue.

    How do I make the turkey body?

    The turkey body looks somewhat like a number 8 with the top being a little bigger than the bottom. Just draw it onto brown construction paper and cut out.


    ✂️Expert Tips

    Tip 1: You can also do this turkey suncatcher craft with tissue paper squares. Since they are smaller it will take more to fill up the feathers.

    Tip 2: You can also use googly eyes for the turkey eyes.


    🍁Related Posts

    • How to Make Turkey Pudding Cups
    • Paper Plate Turkey Craft for Kids
    • Handprint Turkey Place Card
    • Tissue Paper Turkey Craft
      Tissue Paper Turkey Craft


    ✂Craft Tutorial

    Print
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    Turkey Suncatcher Craft

    This Turkey Suncatcher Craft can be hung in a window, and when the sun light streams through, it will just brighten up a room. These turkeys are simple to make with many items that you already have at home.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Active Time20 minutes mins
    Drying time2 hours hrs
    Total Time2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
    Author: Vicky

    Materials

    • Tissue Paper 
    • Wax Paper 
    • Decoupage Glue
    • Paint Brush
    • Construction Paper 
    • Scissors
    • Black Marker 

    For decoupage glue

    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ cup Granulated Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
    • 1 ½ cups water

    Instructions

    Homemade Decoupage Glue Recipe

    • Mix all flour, sugar, vegetable oil and water in a large bowl with a whisk until smooth.
    • Tear tissue paper into thin strips.
    • Tape a large piece of wax paper onto a table and brush glue onto half of the waxed paper. This should be a thin layer of glue.
    • Place the tissue paper over the glue, overlapping until the surface is covered. As you lay down each piece, smooth it, so it lies flat.
    • Brush a thin layer of glue over the tissue paper.
    • Fold the other half of the waxed paper over the tissue and flatten until the surface becomes smooth and free of air bubbles.
    • Let dry overnight, then fold in half again. Draw an outline of turkey feathers along the seam. You only need to draw half of the feathers since the rest will be revealed when you cut and then unfold the wax paper.
    • Cut around the feather outline and open to reveal the turkey feathers. Using various colors of construction paper, cut out a turkey body, beak, eyes and wattle. Assemble the turkey body and glue onto the wax paper turkey feathers to complete your look.

    Notes

    • You can also do this turkey suncatcher craft with tissue paper squares. Since they are smaller it will take more to fill up the feathers.
    • You can also use googly eyes for the turkey eyes.

    More Fall Recipes and Activities

    • Fall Worksheets For Kindergarten pin
      Fall Worksheets For Kindergarten
    • overhead shot of fall puppy chow in bowl
      Fall Puppy Chow Recipe
    • 25 Fall Fine Motor Activities
    • Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids: Pipe Cleaner Turkey

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sarah says

      November 09, 2017 at 6:11 pm

      What a fun craft. We love making sun catchers this way and my boys would love to make this!

      Reply
    2. Yona Williams says

      November 07, 2017 at 7:48 pm

      I have so much tissue paper in my stash, I'm glad I came across this. I know a few kids in my family that would like to do something like this.

      Reply
    3. Cecilia C. Cannon says

      November 07, 2017 at 7:46 am

      I alreay pinned this for later, I know my little girl will have fun making this! thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Vicky says

        November 08, 2017 at 8:46 am

        Thank you for dropping by!

        Reply
    4. Terri Steffes says

      November 07, 2017 at 5:52 am

      I always take a craft with me for the little ones at Thanksgiving. I am sure this one would be a big hit!

      Reply
      • Vicky says

        November 08, 2017 at 8:46 am

        Oh yes, this would be perfect!

        Reply
    5. Nicole Shillings says

      November 07, 2017 at 6:01 am

      Awe this is such a cute craft! I used to love Thanksgiving crafts when I was a kid. This would be fun to do with my niece.

      Reply
      • Vicky says

        November 08, 2017 at 8:46 am

        I used to love them too!

        Reply
    6. brianne says

      November 06, 2017 at 6:02 pm

      This is such a fun craft and a total keepsake. I bet my girls would love to do this for Thanksgiving!

      Reply
      • Vicky says

        November 08, 2017 at 8:45 am

        Thanks for the kind words!

        Reply
    7. Orana says

      November 06, 2017 at 7:10 pm

      This is like the ultimate Thanksgiving craft. I used to love making these. Your girls made some really nice ones! gobblegobble!

      Reply
      • Vicky says

        November 08, 2017 at 8:46 am

        They had a lot of fun with this craft.

        Reply
    8. robin rue says

      November 06, 2017 at 3:02 pm

      That is such a fun craft idea for Thanksgiving. I think I need to have my boys make a few for my house 🙂

      Reply
      • Vicky says

        November 08, 2017 at 8:45 am

        I think they'll really enjoy it!

        Reply
    Vicky from Mess for Less

    I'm Vicky, the founder of Mess For Less, which I started in 2011 to share easy, family-friendly recipes. With over a decade of experience as a home chef and recipe developer, I love creating meals that bring people together. I also design play and learning activities for kids, using my background as a former teacher with a Master’s degree in education. Learn more about me.

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