How to Make a Decorative Table Centerpiece Out of Paper

Paper Turkey Centerpiece Craft

Thanksgiving is a good time to make a table centerpiece out of paper with your child. The materials can be found around the house. Just follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Empty toilet paper roll
• Paper plate
• Craft stick
• Orange, green, brown and yellow construction paper
• Scraps of red and black construction paper
• Red paint
• Paintbrush
• Glue
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Marker

1. 

   Cut out a paper plate in a flower shape. Paint it red, and let it dry.

2. 

   Measure and glue a piece of brown construction paper around a toilet paper tube. Let it dry.

3. 

   Cut out six feather shapes: two orange, two green and two brown. Write six things that you are thankful for on the feathers. Lay them aside. Also cut out a 2-by-2 inch yellow square, and write "I am thankful for ..." on the square. Glue this square to the craft stick. Let it dry.

4. 

   Cut turkey feet and a beak from yellow construction paper. Also cut a waddle from red construction paper. Glue the feet together as shown in the figure here. Set aside to dry.

5. 

   Fold one part of the painted paper plate backwards so it creates a flat surface so it can stand up. Glue the toilet paper tube to the center of the paper plate. Let it dry.

6. 

   Glue the feathers around the toilet paper tube, inserting the ends of the feather sightly under the tube. Glue the 2-by-2 inch sign on top of the feathers, as shown in the figure below.

7. Draw eyes on the turkey (toilet paper tube) with a marker. Glue on the waddle and beak. Cut two small strips of black construction paper to create a tie for the turkey. Also glue the feet onto the bottom of the turkey.

8. 

   Make a hat for the turkey by cutting a circle out of black construction paper that will fit around the top of the toilet paper tube. Glue this circle down. Cut a strip of black construction paper and wrap it around the top of the turkey's head. Glue it down where the ends meet. Now cut a semicircle out of black construction paper that will slide around the toilet paper tube to make the rim of the turkey's hat. Cut a small buckle out of yellow construction paper, and glue it to the center of the hat.

Tips & Warnings

• Let glue dry completely before moving on to the next step to make assembly easier.

• Keep sharp scissors away from small children.