Origami Thanksgiving Turkey
Step 1 of 13
Take a square of paper, white side up. Brown or orange looks great. Fold it in half and open it again.
Video step by step
If a picture is hard to follow, watch every fold here. Pause and rewind as often as you need.
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A cute paper turkey for your Thanksgiving table
This origami turkey stands up on its own, with a big fan tail made from accordion folds. It is folded from one square of paper and a little glue, and it is one of the cutest Thanksgiving table decorations you can make at home.
Brown paper makes a classic turkey, orange and red make a bright, cheerful one, and patterned paper gives your turkey colourful feathers.
Kids can make it with the help of their parents. You can teach your child together: watch the video, follow the step-by-step pictures and fold side by side.
Ideas for your origami turkeys
- Place cards: write each guest's name on the tail and put a turkey on every plate.
- Gratitude turkey: write something you are thankful for on each tail feather.
- Table centrepiece: make a whole family of turkeys in different sizes, with origami maple leaves around them.
- Classroom craft: an easy Thanksgiving activity where every child gets a turkey to take home.
- Autumn garland: add a kirigami leaf chain along the table.
Questions
How do you make an origami turkey?
Fold a square into a long point, fold the square part into an accordion fan, make a beak and neck from the point, fold it in half, glue the fan, and pull the fan up into a tail.
What paper is best for an origami turkey?
A 15 × 15 cm square works well. Brown, orange or patterned paper looks great.
Why does my turkey fall over?
The tail is heavy. Lean it against a glass or a wall, or put a small block behind the tail.
Can I use it as a Thanksgiving place card?
Yes! Write a name on the tail feathers and put one turkey on each plate.