articles

Turkey Caller Craft

The Ultimate Thanksgiving Craft - As Seen On KDKA

By Deb Perry November 20, 2023

Last but forever first in our hearts, the Infamous Turkey Caller.

Details can be found here on how to make it.  The nuts and bolts of it all.  

This is the BEST TURKEY CRAFT EVER and your children will ADORE IT.  He not only LOOKS cute with hand print feathers and some fun foam but he SQUAWKS using some crotchet string and a wet sponge.

 
How to make him. 


The Base of It All

Traditionally, solo cups work the best as the heart of the turkey.  They amplify in a fantastic way that is sure to bring huge smiles from kids.  Grimaces from adults but who cares about them!  

This year, I used several size solo cups and all worked very well.  I even used the generic versions.  Just make sure they're NOT TOO flimsy.  However you can also use any "base" that offers some acoustics.  Much of this, might be on hand!   I used an empty ice tea mix can as well as a small metal tin from the party section at Walmart. They're much more durable if you plan to keep the craft until next year.  

My caller never makes it to the next year but with my new found options, I can make him an heirloom by George!

Decorations
I used some yarn to festive up the little buggers this year.  
You can  use just about ANYTHING leftover in that craft closet, to doll these puppies up.  

It's a great kid craft with some adult help.  Glue dots work well to adhere and so do hot glue guns depending on how crafty you get

This is our original Turkey Caller.
And his name IS George by the way.
He brought his family this year to KDKA to show you how diverse this craft is.



 They all arrived a month early for the big day. They just flew in.  

Their arms are tired.

Aren't they a site.  

This is 2013's family holiday card, to be.



Let's meet them, shall we?

Meet Diva.  



ISN'T SHE LOVELY?

Really, not all turkey's are orange, brown and red.  Diva shows us all that you can use what's in your craft closet, to make a mighty fine turkey.  Creative, sometimes shows off even better than traditional.  It's just an observation friends.

Moving on.
Diva's had some work done and she's proud of it.  Her base is a small metal bucket from the party section at Walmart!  She is wrapped in brown yarn and her fabulous-o feathers are made of some left over foam stickers I had.  

She will rock her way to Thanksgiving and never look back.

This is Paw- Pap.



He's burly, big and brawny.  Made of an ice tea can-- he is vintage if you will.
Traditional kid hand prints flank his be-hind quarters and a tanned, rugged, yarn encircles his ample body. He's got ribbon feet and he doesn't mind one bit.  

He's walked through 7 miles of snow laden fields, to get to school on those RIBBONS.
He will tell this story, 20x at dinner.  

Meet "Baby."  If you're making a seating chart, please remember that nobody puts "Baby" in a corner.  Baby will melt your heart with her tiny solo cup base and lovely looped feathers.  She is a sight for the heart wrapped in some simply yarn with some mini pom poms for feet.



Last, what are the holidays without that one weird family member.

Meet Weird Uncle Al.



Yes, he wore the same shirt last year.
No, he is not a rocket scientist.  
But he's FUN!

Not crafty?  Com'on now.  Even you can make Weird Uncle Al.   I cut off some burlap -- from a scarecrow!  Shhh.. don't tell her.

The entire family shows off what has turned out to be a holiday tradition here in our houses.  One that SQUAWKS of fun.  


Details can be found here on how to make it.