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Thanksgiving crafts are some of my favorites, especially when they’re simple enough for the kids to make mostly on their own. This paper turkey suncatcher checks all the boxes: it uses basic supplies, is great for practicing scissor skills, and looks so cheery hanging in a sunny window.
You can set this up as an afternoon craft at home, a classroom project, or an easy activity for the kids’ table on Thanksgiving Day.
Paper Turkey Suncatcher Craft
Supplies
- Cream or white cardstock (for the frame and turkey body)
- Brown construction paper (for wings)
- Small scraps of white, yellow, and red construction paper (for eyes, beak, and wattle)
- Assorted tissue paper in bright colors, cut into small squares
- Brown paint (or brown marker/crayon)
- Paintbrush (if using paint)
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- Clear tape or a small piece of string for hanging
How to Make a Paper Turkey Suncatcher
1. Create the turkey frame
Fold a piece of cream or white cardstock in half. Starting at the fold, sketch a large dome or rainbow shape with a flat bottom. Cut along your line so you have a big half-circle shape.
Next, cut out the center, leaving a wide border all the way around. This will become the frame for your suncatcher “feathers.”
Unfold the cardstock and you’ll have a large scalloped frame ready to go.
2. Cut out the turkey body
Using another piece of cardstock, cut out a simple turkey body shape that looks a bit like a snowman with just two circles (a smaller circle on top for the head and a larger one on the bottom for the body).
Glue the turkey body to the bottom center of the frame so it looks like the turkey is standing in front of the feathers.
3. Paint the frame and body
Use brown paint (or a brown marker/crayon) to color the entire frame and turkey body. Make sure to cover the front side thoroughly.
Set it aside to dry completely before moving on.
4. Add the turkey’s face and wings
While the paint dries, cut out your turkey details:
- Two small white circles for eyes
- Two tiny black dots (or use a marker) for pupils
- One small yellow triangle for the beak
- One red teardrop shape for the wattle
- Two brown oval shapes for wings
When the paint is dry, glue the eyes, beak, and wattle onto the turkey’s head. Glue the wings so they sit on either side of the body, resting on the bottom frame.
Now your turkey has some personality!
5. Cut the tissue paper squares
Cut your colored tissue paper into small squares. They don’t have to be perfect – little rectangles or slightly uneven squares work just fine.
Pile them up and get them ready for the next step.
6. Fill in the “feathers”
Flip the turkey frame over so the back side is facing up.
Use a glue stick to cover the open feather area with glue. One section at a time, press tissue paper squares down, overlapping them as you go. Kids can have fun mixing colors and layering them for a pretty stained-glass effect.
Keep going until the entire open feather area (including behind the turkey body) is covered in tissue paper. Add extra glue if needed to secure loose edges.
If any tissue paper sticks out past the frame, you can gently trim around the edges.
7. Hang your turkey suncatcher
When everything is dry, your turkey is ready for the window.
Use a small loop of clear tape on the back or punch a tiny hole at the top and add a piece of string. Hang your turkey suncatcher in a sunny window and watch the colors glow when the light shines through.
Tips and Variations
- Use fall colors like red, orange, and yellow tissue paper for a more traditional Thanksgiving look, or let the kids pick any colors they love.
- Make a whole flock of turkeys for a classroom display or to line a big picture window.
- For younger crafters, you can pre-cut the frame and turkey pieces, then let them handle the painting and tissue paper gluing.
This paper turkey suncatcher is one of those easy projects that looks extra impressive once it’s hanging up. Kids will love spotting their turkeys every time the sun shines through.
We have a BUNCH of Thanksgiving craft ideas – be sure to take a look through the collection while you’re here!
