Thanksgiving crafts just got a whole lot sweeter with this playful DIY Turkey Sundae Surprise Craft. A delightful fusion of a holiday turkey and a colorful ice cream sundae, this project is the perfect mix of silly and seasonal. It captures the spirit of gratitude and creativity while giving kids a chance to create something unique and giggle-worthy.

Ideal for classrooms, home craft time, or even as a Thanksgiving table activity, this paper craft is designed with simplicity and fun in mind. Using basic materials like colored paper, glue, and scissors, kids can bring this cartoonish dessert-themed turkey to life in under an hour. Whether you're crafting with preschoolers or looking for a light-hearted project to entertain the whole family, this one’s a treat everyone will love.
Materials Needed
To make your own Turkey Sundae Surprise Craft, gather the following supplies:
- Pink, yellow, red, brown, and tan construction paper or cardstock
- Small googly eyes (optional)
- Glue stick or tacky glue
- Scissors (child-safe for younger crafters)
- Black marker (for detailing)
- Pencil (for tracing)
- Printable template (optional but recommended for easy cutting)

Step 1: Prepare the Sundae Cup Base
Start by creating the cone-shaped sundae cup. Use a piece of tan or light brown paper cut into a trapezoid with rounded corners at the bottom. With a black marker, draw a criss-cross pattern to mimic the waffle texture of a cone. This will serve as the base of your turkey sundae.
Step 2: Craft the Ice Cream Scoop Body
Using pink construction paper, cut out a large scoop shape that will form the turkey’s body and head. This piece should be slightly larger than the cone and have a soft wavy bottom edge to resemble melting ice cream. Glue this scoop on top of the cone base so it overlaps slightly.
Step 3: Add the Wings and Eyes
Cut two small wings from dark brown paper and glue them on each side of the pink scoop. Next, add two large white circles for the eyes. If you’re using googly eyes, glue them in the center of the white circles or directly onto the scoop.
Step 4: Decorate with Sprinkles and Chocolate Topping
Now it’s time to sweeten up your turkey! Cut out a wavy chocolate topping shape from dark brown paper and place it over the top of the pink scoop. Then, add small strips of colorful paper to represent sprinkles—stick them randomly on the chocolate topping for a fun effect.
Step 5: Add the Cherry on Top
Cut a red circle and a short brown stem to make the cherry. Place it at the very top center of the chocolate topping for that classic sundae finish. This playful touch brings the dessert theme full circle.
Step 6: Attach Beak and Wattle
Finish off your turkey by adding a yellow triangle for the beak and a red teardrop shape next to it for the wattle. Place both elements under the eyes so your turkey sundae has a cheerful (and slightly silly) face.
Customization Ideas
- Flavors Galore: Instead of pink, try other ice cream "flavors" like chocolate (brown), mint (green), or vanilla (white). Add glitter or pom-poms for a fun texture.
- Place Card Holders: Write names on the cone base and use these turkeys as table place cards for Thanksgiving dinner.
- Fridge Art or Magnets: Attach a magnet to the back and let your turkey sundae brighten up the refrigerator.

Educational or Seasonal Uses
This project is perfect for Thanksgiving-themed lesson plans. It reinforces fine motor skills, shape recognition, and creativity. Teachers can incorporate it into lessons about gratitude, food groups, or autumn holidays. It’s also a calming craft to wind down before holiday break.
Printable Template
To make crafting even easier, we’ve included a printable template that includes all the pieces you need—just print, color, and cut. Kids can customize their turkey sundae by coloring the scoops, wings, and cherry in their favorite shades.
This is a great option for group settings or younger children, making assembly quicker and less reliant on perfect cutting. With the template, even toddlers can enjoy this sweet little turkey project with a little adult help.

Conclusion
With its goofy grin and dessert-inspired charm, the DIY Turkey Sundae Surprise Craft is a sure hit for Thanksgiving fun. Whether you’re a teacher prepping classroom crafts or a parent planning holiday activities, this project adds a delicious dose of creativity to the season. Gather your supplies, download the template, and scoop up some crafting joy today!

DIY Turkey Sundae Surprise Craft
Equipment
- Glue stick or tacky glue
- Scissors
- Black marker
- Pencil
- Printable template
Materials
- Pink, yellow, red, brown, and tan construction paper or cardstock
- Small googly eyes (optional)
Instructions
- Start by creating the cone-shaped sundae cup. Use tan or light brown paper cut into a trapezoid with rounded corners at the bottom. Draw a criss-cross waffle pattern using a black marker.
- Cut out a large pink scoop shape with a wavy bottom edge to represent melting ice cream. Glue it on top of the cone so it slightly overlaps.
- Cut two small brown wings and glue them on the sides of the scoop. Add two large white circles for eyes and googly eyes if desired.
- Cut a wavy chocolate topping from dark brown paper and glue it over the top of the scoop. Add small strips of colorful paper for sprinkles.
- Create a red cherry and a brown stem from paper and glue it at the top of the chocolate topping.
- Cut and glue a yellow triangle beak and red teardrop wattle below the eyes to complete the turkey's face.
