Every holiday we bounce between both sides of the family, and some of those houses aren’t exactly kid friendly. I needed something quick to pack, easy to travel with and low mess.
This build a turkey play dough kit was the answer. Toss it in the bag and kids can build turkeys anywhere.


How to Make a Turkey Play Dough Kit
Thanksgiving Playdough Task Cards
Get the printableBrown play dough
A travel case
View on AmazonColored feathers
Googly eyes
Orange and red craft foam
Scissors
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Make the dough
Make a batch of brown play dough. We added glitter and gingerbread spice.
Cut the pieces
Cut orange foam triangles for beaks and red squiggles for wattles.
Pack the kit
Put the dough, feathers, eyes and foam pieces in the travel case.
Build
Kids shape a turkey body and add feathers, eyes, a beak and a wattle.
Safety note
Googly eyes and small foam pieces are choking hazards for kids who still mouth things.
Turkey Kit Tips
- Count feathers: Roll a die and add that many.
- Pattern feathers: Red, yellow, red, yellow.
- Keep it fresh: Store the dough in a zip-top bag inside the case.
- Need a recipe? Try our easy playdough recipe.
More Thanksgiving fun
See all →Make a wearable turkey with our turkey hat craft.
Thanksgiving printables include
- Fine motor task cards and mats
- Picture-based directions
- Instant PDF download, nothing is shipped
Perfect for
- November centers
- Preschool and kindergarten
- OT
- Thanksgiving gatherings
Turkey Play Dough Kit FAQ
Brown play dough, feathers, googly eyes and foam beaks and wattles.
About 3 and up, since it has small pieces.
Store it in a zip-top bag inside the case.
Yes. It’s compact and low mess.
More Thanksgiving Activities
See all →From families like yours
Did you try it? Tell us how it went!
We love seeing these activities out in the wild: the lumpy letters, the snack breaks, the proud “I made a B!” moments. Leave a star rating, tell other parents what worked (and what totally didn’t), and add a photo of your setup if you’d like.
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