Rachael Rachael, a mom of two daughters, is a freelance editor and writer who enjoys gardening and dreams of keeping chickens in her suburban St. Louis backyard. In her spare time, she helps to edit her husband’s science fiction books. Read more of Rachael's work at www.rachaelsjohnston.com or contact her by emailing rachael@mumblingmommy.com.

Make a milk jug turkey with items you probably already have at home.

Our Thanksgiving table centerpiece

I really like decorating for fall holidays, from magnets on my fridge to wreaths on the front door. Even more than the decorating, I enjoy creating art with my daughters who are then really excited to place their designs around our home.

My oldest daughter and I have been making crafts with recycled milk jugs this fall. It started with cute jack-o-lanterns we made for Halloween. This week, we transformed another jug into a nice, plump Thanksgiving turkey.

Making your own milk jug turkey

To start, wash an empty gallon jug and allow it time to dry.

Then cover the whole thing with brown acrylic paint.

When the paint is dry, cut feather shapes from construction paper and glue on to make a tail and wings. Cut a tear drop-shaped red piece of construction paper for the turkey’s wattle (that thing that hangs under his chin!), and cut an orange or yellow piece of paper for his beak. Cut eyes out of white and black paper.

Then glue it all on, and voila.

When you’ve done all the steps above, don’t forget to trace your child’s hands on orange or yellow construction paper. Cut out the hand shapes and glue them to the bottom of your turkey to give him some feet. My kids especially love this little detail and it’s a good way to freeze time to remember how little they once as future Thanksgivings roll around.

Making a milk jug turkey is a simple, fast, and fun activity for toddlers too. You can even make a milk jug turkey to take to wherever you will celebrate the holiday this year as a host gift.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Category: Arts & Crafts

Tags: crafts