Easy Mason Jar Turkey Craft

Let the turkey crafts begin! Make this easy Mason Jar Turkey Craft in no time by turning those gorgeous falling leaves into a turkey craft for kids and don’t forget to utilize the dollar store for supplies. Modge Podge crafts are so fun and adding mason jar fairy lights illuminates these cute little turkeys to create a warm and inviting Thanksgiving centerpiece complete with a Thanksgiving craft for kids everyone can participate in making.

What better way to make a Thanksgiving craft for kids then using ooey, gooey modge podge. It is mistake proof! While it looks like there are many steps to make the mason jar actually it is very easy. The steps are mostly glue and repeat!

Materials

Mason Jars (8, 16 oz.or 32 oz.)

Tissue Paper, white, red, yellow, brown

Modge Podge Original

Foam brush or old paint brush

Artificial leaves or real leaves

Two googly eyes

Directions

Measure the length of the mason jar from the bottom of the jar to the bottom of the rim at the top of the jar.
This is the length of each strip of white tissue paper.
The width of each piece of white tissue paper is 1 inch.
Cut approximately 10 strips of white tissue paper(this will include extras)
Trace the bottom of the mason jar on the white tissue paper to form the template for the bottom of the mason jar. This circle will be slightly bigger than needed.
Trim the white tissue paper circle to fit inside the bottom of the mason jar.
Using the brush, paint a layer of modge podge on the bottom of the mason jar. For holiday craft season I stock up on foam brushes and love the value pack with many sizes. It’s amazing how many foam brushes I use for all crafts and DIY.
Press the circle of white tissue paper onto the bottom of the mason jar.
Paint a layer of modge podge on top of the circle. This forms the base to attach the tissue paper body on the bottom of the mason jar.
The mason jar will now be covered with the white strips of tissue paper by working in sections.
The order is as follows:
Paint a layer of modge podge onto the mason jar top to bottom and wider than 1 inch.
Gently lay the first tissue paper strip starting at the top of the mason jar. Place the straight edge of the top of the tissue strip under the top rim.
Gently press the tissue strip onto the mason jar and fold under the bottom of the mason jar and press.
Brush another layer of modge podge on top of the tissue paper strip.
Repeat for as many times necessary to cover the entire jar by placing the strips side by side and lining up the side edges. A little overlap of each strip is fine.
Modge podge may need to be periodically applied on the bottom to keep moist. The ends of each strip will be layered on the bottom of the mason jar. Trim the ends if necessary.

How To Make the Mason Jar Turkey

The turkey feathers are the actual leaf. The leaf can be real or artificial. I prefer artificial as the leaves are easier to work with and consistent in size.
Paint a layer of modge podge over the front of the mason jar (you choose the front).
Place the leaf on the mason jar with the top of the leaf just under the rim.
Paint a layer of modge podge over the leaf.
The body of the turkey is made from two circles of brown tissue paper. The bottom circle will be slightly bigger than the top circle.
The size of the turkey circles will be dependent upon the size of mason jar used. I used a very small glass or a circle cookie cutter to trace the circles. Once the size of the bottom circle is determined, cut the top circle slightly smaller.
Paint a layer of modge podge on the front of the mason jar where the turkey will rest.
Place the bottom circle first with the bottom alined close to the bottom of the mason jar.
Place the top circle by slightly overlapping the top of the bottom circle.
Paint a layer of modge podge over both circles and leaf.
Cut out a small triangle from the yellow tissue paper to make the beak.
Cut out a gobble from the red tissue paper. This may take a little trial and error to size the beak and gobble to the jar.
Remember googly eyes will be glued on after the turkey is finished.
Judge where the eyes will be glued on position the gobble and press on the mason jar.
Place the yellow triangle on top of the gobble.
Modge podge over the beak and gobble.
Let dry a few minutes.
Glue on two googly eyes. This is my all time favorite source for googly eyes as the eyes come in a convenient case separated by size. So handy to have an assorted variety of sizes – you never know when you need a different size googly eye!

How To Illuminate The Mason Jar Turkey

I like to use flameless candles to light up the mason jar turkey. Another way to decorate the mason jar is with fresh or artificial flowers to make a turkey vase. If desired add flowers and illuminate the mason jar. This makes a great addition to the Thanksgiving table decor.

Another way to light up! your Mason Jar Turkey is to use fairy lights. What is nice about fairly lights or LED fairy lights is the very small battery pack. These Mason jar fairy lights are unobtrusive as the battery pack is easy to hide.

I had so much fun making the Mason Jar Turkey I decided to make a few more Fall Mason Jars with leaves and fall colors for the Halloween, Fall and Thanksgiving decorations!

Mason Jar Turkey Craft Vase

I have made illuminated mason jar turkeys and have also used turkey as a vase for flowers. Send your Thanksgiving guest home with a cute party favor complete with lights or fresh flowers. Use a water tube to keep the flowers fresh and to send the mason jar turkey vase home with your guests as a Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving party favor.

Decorate With Fall Mason Jar Crafts

The turkey mason jars were so easy to make I decided to make a few more Fall theme mason jar crafts with leaves and rich Fall colors. These mason jars were very easy to make and love the rich colors of the leaves.

7 Thanksgiving Crafts

Decorate for Fall and Thanksgiving with 7 easy Thanksgiving crafts! The turkey and Thanksgiving crafts are dollar store friendly and will brighten up the decorations with a homemade touch and the kids will love participating!