These Cute Turkey Thanksgiving Gifts made from candy are fun for kids to make and come together in minutes! Perfect for easy Thanksgiving table favors for guests, or sweet gifts for teachers and friends.
Cute (& Easy) Thanksgiving Party Favors
My friend gave me a Cute Turkey Thanksgiving Favor a couple years ago. She's good at making small favors to give to family and friends on holidays. It always makes a person feel special.
I took a picture of that favor and it inspired this post. Thank you, Becky!
This Thanksgiving favor is fast to make and would be easy to make in bulk for a larger gathering or school group. They make perfect Thanksgiving gifts for guests.
I mean it when I say this went together quickly. I can imagine kids, relatives, or friends sitting around the table visiting and making these together.
Supplies for Turkey Thanksgiving Gifts
Here are a few quick notes about the supplies needed to make turkey Thanksgiving favors.
- Brown tulle netting: Brown tulle netting is usually found in the wedding section of a fabric store or online.
- Wire clippers: Use wire clippers or Scissors to clip pipe cleaners.
- Pipe cleaners: Pipe cleaners in brown, yellow, orange, red for each turkey.
- Candy: ¼ cup candy per favor (I used M&Ms).
- Small rubber band: A Small rubber band like the type for hair works well.
- Googly eyes: We always need Googly eyes (2 small ones) for craft faces!
Steps for Making Thanksgiving Table Favors
Start with the tulle netting
Lay the brown tulle netting down flat and use a dinner plate as a pattern to cut around. Cut one layer or two layers for each favor (I used two layers).
Put the netting down over a coffee cup or custard cup. Measure ¼ cup of candy and pour it onto the netting, letting it settle down into the cup.
Pull the netting up around the candy and secure it with a small rubber band. This creates the turkey's body and tail.
Make a head for the turkey
Curl up a brown pipe cleaner like a snail shell- until you like the size in proportion to the body. Cut the pipe cleaner so it's about 2 inches long below the head.
Pull an orange pipe cleaner through the front of the curled head for a beak. Twist it into a beak shape and clip it off.
Then pull a red pipe cleaner through the front of the curled head, under the beak, for the waddle. I twisted this around until it was larger than the beak and then clipped it off.
Make two legs for the turkey
Making the feet is fun.
Make three zig-zag bends in a yellow pipe cleaner starting about one inch from the end. These are the three toes on the foot, so they are about ½ inches in size. Then twist the pipe cleaner ends together to keep the toes in place. Bend the longer end of the pipe cleaner upwards for a leg and clip it so it is about 2 inches long.
Of course you will make two legs.
Put the turkey together
Poke the pipe cleaner neck of the head into the body of the turkey. Poke the two legs into the body of the turkey.
Add the eyes
Finish up the turkey by gluing on two googly eyes, one on each side of the head.
Thanksgiving Gifts for Guests
These turkey favors will make such nice Thanksgiving holiday gifts for guests. Be prepared though, they may not make it home because of the candy inside!
Craft Tips
- Two layers of tulle- I cut two layers of tulle so it's less likely to rip.
- Cutting pipe cleaners- In the video, I used old scissors to clip the small wire in the center of the pipe cleaners. You may want to use a wire clipper instead so you don't damage your good scissors.
- Assembly line- It's more efficient to make the number of each part needed at one time. If you have people helping at your family gathering, each person could assemble one part of the turkey.
Craft Variations
- Tulle- Cut three or four layers of tulle in fall colors like brown, orange, yellow, purple. This will make the tail multi-colored.
- Candy- Use the candy of your choice (or mix and match): candy corn, Skittles, Reeses Pieces, pillow mints, etc.
- Great Thanksgiving gift idea- Make a turkey 3-4 times this size for a Thanksgiving hostess gift. Use several layers of tulle to increase strength.
FAQ
You can make cute turkey Thanksgiving gifts with candy and a few simple steps! This step by step tutorial will make DIY turkey table favors easy to make. See the suggested craft list below for other turkey favor ideas.
Yes! Use whatever candy you prefer, but it works best to use candy that's with small pieces.
Family activities that you can do together can make the holiday special. Perhaps you and the kids could make these table favors together, set the table with a simple centerpiece and add the favors to the setting. Have people place cards in a gratitude jar and read them at the table. The simple potluck meal would be easier for the hostess.
More Thanksgiving Crafts and Recipes for Kids
Looking for more craft ideas for kids this Thanksgiving holiday? How about a gratitude jar, or more decorations for your table setting? Check out these crafts from around the site!
Come Join the Fun!
If you try this craft, please leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo with #WelcometoNanas wherever you post.
Cute Turkey Thanksgiving Favors
Equipment
- Plate (for a pattern)
- Coffee cup or custard cup
- ¼ cup measuring cup
- Scissors or wire clippers
Items Required
- Brown tulle netting
- Pipe cleaners (brown, 2 yellow, orange, red)
- ¼ cup candy per favor (I used M&Ms)
- Small rubber band
- Googly eyes (2 small ones)
- Glue
Instructions
- Lay the brown tulle netting down flat and use a dinner plate as a pattern to cut around. Cut one layer or two layers for each favor. I used two layers.Put the netting down over a coffee cup or custard cup. Measure ¼ cup of candy and pour it onto the netting, letting it settle down into the cup.Pull the netting up around the candy and secure it with a small rubber band. This is the body and tail of the turkey.
- Curl up a brown pipe cleaner (like a snail shell) until you like the size compared to the body. Cut the pipe cleaner so it is about 2 inches long below the head.
- Pull an orange pipe cleaner through the front of the curled head for a beak. Twist it into a beak shape and clip it off.
- Then pull a red pipe cleaner through the front of the curled head, under the beak, for the waddle. I twisted this around until it was larger than the beak and then clipped it off.
- Make three zig-zag bends in a yellow pipe cleaner starting about one inch from the end. These are the three toes on the foot, so they are about ½ inches in size. Then twist the pipe cleaner ends together to keep the toes in place. Bend the longer end of the pipe cleaner upwards for a leg and clip it so it is about 2 inches long. Make two legs.
- Poke the neck of the head into the body of the turkey. Poke the two legs into the body of the turkey.
- Finish up the turkey by gluing on two googly eyes, one on each of the head.
Video
Notes
This post was originally published in November 2022 and has been updated to add more relevant and detailed content.
Laura says
Cute idea for a teacher gift!