I hope you're all enjoying gorgeous Fall weather! The leaves are just beginning to change in our neck of the woods, so it's time for Fall crafting. I have my kids' teachers to thank for this adorable turkey craft. The original was created by Boo when she was in kindergarten.  Since all of the feathers have definite color patterns, I'm sure her wise teacher used it as a fun way to practice patterns.

If you're wondering why the colors of the "feathers" are nothing like the colors of a real turkey, you have probably never tried to talk a little girl out of using her favorite colors!  It's definitely a battle I know is absolutely useless.  The colors have actually grown on me.  (Who says a turkey can't dress up like a peacock?)

This craft is perfect for preschool and kindergarten, but I'm a grown up, and I enjoyed it, so your older kids might like it, too.  (You're never too old to string beads, right?)

Every year, our family collects fall leaves and pinecones to decorate our home.  This year, we put some of those pinecones to use to create some fun turkeys. The adorable turkeys are great just for fun or to help little ones practice patterns.

Pinecone Turkey Craft

Materials:

• 1 large pinecone
• 3 colored pipe cleaners
• Small scrap of red or brown cardstock or construction paper (4″ x 2″ is a good size to start with)
• Very small scrap of orange cardstock or construction paper
• Pony beads in various colors (8-12 for each “feather”)
• Black sharpie marker
• Craft glue or glue gun with hot glue

Directions:

1. Cut each pipe cleaner in half.
2. String 8-12 beads on each pipe cleaner. (This is a great time for little ones to practice patterns.)
3. Cut a shape for the turkey’s neck and head from the brown or red paper.  It should be shaped like a footprint–with the top slightly larger than the bottom.
4. Fold the orange scrap in half and cut a triangle along the fold for the beak.  (When unfolded, it should be shaped like a kite.)
5. Draw two eyes on the face and “U” shapes on the neck of the turkey.
6. Glue on the turkey’s beak.
7. Bend the pipe cleaners in half (with rounded tops) to create the feathers.
8. Tuck the pipe cleaner “feathers” into the pinecone and attach with hot glue or craft glue.  (I don’t recommend that children use hot glue on their own.  Small children should use craft glue or have an adult glue for them with hot glue.)
9. Attach the face to the bottom of the pinecone with craft or hot glue.

All done!  Easy peasy, right?  The kindergarten turkey is below.  Pretty good for a five-year-old!