A Thanksgiving Classroom Favorite: Disguise a Turkey Activity for Kids
Inside: Make Thanksgiving fun with this printable Disguise a Turkey activity pack—perfect for creative writing, crafts, and classroom projects!
Thanksgiving season is the perfect time to combine creativity, laughter, and learning in your classroom! One of the most beloved traditions this time of year is the Turkey in Disguise project—a fun, imaginative activity where students help their turkey avoid becoming Thanksgiving dinner by creating clever disguises.
If you’re looking for a low-prep, high-engagement way to celebrate Thanksgiving while strengthening writing, art, and critical thinking skills, this Turkey in Disguise Activity Pack is the perfect fit. It includes everything you need to guide your students through this seasonal favorite—from parent letters to creative writing prompts and cut-and-paste disguises.
What Is the Turkey in Disguise Project?
The idea behind this Thanksgiving classroom classic is simple:
Students receive a blank turkey template and must disguise it so it won’t get eaten for Thanksgiving dinner!
Kids can turn their turkeys into anything they can imagine—a superhero, unicorn, astronaut, princess, or even a slice of pizza! It’s the kind of project that gets everyone talking, laughing, and showing off their creativity.
And with this printable Turkey in Disguise activity pack, you get everything needed to make it smooth, structured, and fun—for both you and your students.
What’s Inside the Turkey in Disguise Printable Pack
This comprehensive Thanksgiving activity set includes:
- Letter to Parents – A ready-to-send letter that explains the project and invites families to join in on the fun. Perfect for encouraging at-home creativity and family engagement.
- Teacher Guide – Tips for adapting the activity to different grade levels, from preschool to upper elementary.
- Disguise a Turkey Planning Pages (2) – Planning templates help students brainstorm their disguise ideas before they start crafting.
- 8 Writing Prompts – Creative Thanksgiving-themed writing prompts that encourage descriptive writing, storytelling, and imagination.
- “Wanted” Turkey Pages – 12 pre-drawn disguised turkeys plus a blank template for students to design their own “Wanted” posters.
- Color, Cut, and Glue Disguises – 12 ready-to-use disguise sheets filled with fun costumes and accessories to color and attach to the turkeys.
Everything is designed to be printer-friendly, easy to prep, and adaptable for classroom or at-home use.
How to Use the Turkey in Disguise Activity in the Classroom
There are so many fun ways to incorporate this activity into your Thanksgiving lessons. Here are a few ideas to help you make the most of it:
Kick Off with a Story or Video
Start by reading a fun Thanksgiving-themed book like Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano or Run, Turkey, Run! by Diane Mayr. These stories help introduce the idea of disguise and get your students’ imaginations flowing!
Send the Project Home
Use the included parent letter to explain the activity and encourage families to get creative together. Students can bring their disguised turkeys back to school to share with the class.
In-Class Craft Time
If you prefer to complete the activity in class, use the planning pages and cut-and-glue disguises to make the process easy to manage. Provide art supplies like markers, tissue paper, and sequins for extra flair.
Add a Writing Component
Use the writing prompt pages or Wanted posters to extend learning. Students can write from the turkey’s perspective, create a backstory, or describe their disguise in detail. This makes it a great Thanksgiving writing activity that’s both creative and skill-building.
Create a “Turkey Hideout” Display
Showcase all your students’ disguised turkeys on a bulletin board titled “Turkey Hideout” or “Gobble Gone Missing!” It’s a fantastic way to decorate your classroom for Thanksgiving and celebrate your students’ creativity.
Why Teachers and Students Love This Project
The Turkey in Disguise Activity Pack blends art, writing, and family engagement into one exciting seasonal project. Teachers love how easy it is to prep, and students love that it feels like play!
Here’s why it’s such a hit:
- Encourages Creativity: Every disguise is unique, giving each student a chance to express themselves.
- Promotes Writing Skills: The included prompts and planning pages guide students through the writing process in a fun, low-pressure way.
- Builds Classroom Community: Students love sharing and comparing their disguises—laughter and creativity fill the room!
- Family-Friendly: The parent letter invites families to join in, creating a memorable home-school connection.
Extend the Learning This Thanksgiving
Looking to keep the fun going? Try these add-on ideas:
- Have students vote for the funniest, most creative, or best-disguised turkey (everyone wins something!).
- Turn the disguises into a class storybook—each student contributes a page featuring their turkey and a short description.
- Use the activity as part of a Thanksgiving literacy or art center during November.
- Pair it with a Roll A Story Thanksgiving printable for even more themed writing fun!
Turkey in Disguise Activity Pack
Bring Thanksgiving fun into your classroom with this engaging Turkey in Disguise printable activity pack!
Perfect for a range of age groups, this resource includes everything teachers and students need to create, write, and enjoy this beloved Thanksgiving tradition. With activities for creativity, fine motor skills, and writing practice, this pack makes a fantastic addition to your holiday curriculum.
A Thanksgiving Tradition Worth Keeping
The Turkey in Disguise project is more than just a craft—it’s a celebration of creativity, imagination, and community. Whether done at home or in the classroom, it’s an activity students look forward to year after year.
This printable pack makes it easy for teachers to jump right in with ready-to-use pages, creative prompts, and adorable designs.
So if you’re planning your November lessons and want to add a festive touch, try this Turkey in Disguise Activity Pack—your students will love every minute of it!
Printing and Paper Recommendations
For the best experience with this printable, I recommend using a high-quality, smooth white paper. Since students will be writing, coloring, and working directly on the pages, paper that handles pencil, crayon, and marker well makes a big difference.
Standard copy paper works just fine for most home and classroom use, but if you want crisper results—especially for coloring pages or detailed activities—consider a slightly heavier weight paper (24–28 lb). This helps prevent bleed-through and gives a sturdier feel for little hands.
Print only the pages you need, and feel free to reprint favorites throughout the year for review, early finishers, or extra practice!
You may also be interested in this Turkey in Disguise printable:
Turkey in Disguise Activity Pack
Bring Thanksgiving fun into your classroom with this engaging Turkey in Disguise printable activity pack!
Perfect for a range of age groups, this resource includes everything teachers and students need to create, write, and enjoy this beloved Thanksgiving tradition. With activities for creativity, fine motor skills, and writing practice, this pack makes a fantastic addition to your holiday curriculum.
Want More?
Bringing Thanksgiving to Life in the Classroom or at Home
Thanksgiving Writing Activity for Kids: Turkey Roll a Story Printable
