DIY Pumpkin Turkey

2 min read September 13, 2026 Haeley Giambalvo
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Transform a pumpkin to a turkey in a few simple steps! This quick project is a fun addition to your fall and Thanksgiving decor. Start with a 9" foam craft pumpkin, add feathers made from faux fall leaves and finish with a turkey head using our downloadable template. The turkey would make a festive table centerpiece or you can display it on a fireplace mantel or shelf. Be sure to download the Free Turkey Template here! Check out how I incorporated it into my Fall & Thanksgiving dining room decor

Project Time
20 to 30 min
Difficulty
Intermediate
Step
1

Start with a 9" foam craft pumpkin. Add a row of large fall leaves to the back of the pumpkin with a dab of hot glue on the bottom front of each leaf. Add a second row of leaves by gluing them onto them the back of the first row.

DIY Pumpkin Turkey step 1 part 1
DIY Pumpkin Turkey step 1 part 2
Step
2

Glue another row of leaves to the top of the pumpkin to cover up the stem.

DIY Pumpkin Turkey step 2
Step
3

Download the Free Turkey Template here and trace and cut a turkey head out of a piece of orange cardstock.

DIY Pumpkin Turkey step 3
Step
4

Use a craft knife to cut a slit in the front of the pumpkin the size of the turkey head cutout. Slot the cutout into the pumpkin.

DIY Pumpkin Turkey step 4 part 1
DIY Pumpkin Turkey step 4 part 2
Step
5

Incorporate your pumpkin turkey into your Thanksgiving decor. See how I decorated my dining room for Fall & Thanksgiving, plus get all of the DIY's including the Hello Fall DIY Pumpkin Sign and "Grateful, Thankful, Blessed" sign.

DIY Pumpkin Turkey step 5 part 1
DIY Pumpkin Turkey step 5 part 2
DIY Pumpkin Turkey step 5 part 3

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