Looking for a Thanksgiving activity that’s equal parts silly, creative, and educational? This Blow Up a Turkey activity checks all the boxes!
Using just a plastic glove, a cup, a straw, and our printable turkey template, kids can make their very own turkey that magically inflates when they blow into the straw. And the best part? You probably already have most of the supplies at home!
I love activities like this because they’re easy to put together, don’t require a ton of materials, and have that little element of surprise that kids can’t get enough of. Plus, there’s actually some pretty cool science happening behind the scenes!
Watch the turkey come to life!
What You’ll Need
You don’t need anything fancy for this one! Just grab a few basic supplies:
- Blow Up a Turkey Printable – includes the turkey head, four colorful feathers, and instructions
- 1 disposable plastic glove
- 1 plastic cup
- 1 paper or plastic straw
- 1 rubber band
- Scissors
- Glue
Get the Blow Up a Turkey Printable!
Our printable includes everything you need to decorate your turkey, along with simple step-by-step instructions to follow.
Quick tip: I recommend using a thin, latex-free plastic glove. These tend to inflate more easily, and they’re a good option for avoiding latex exposure.
How to Make Your Blow Up Turkey
This activity is so simple to set up, and kids can help with almost every step!
Print and Cut Out Your Turkey
Start by printing the turkey template on regular printer paper. Cut out the four colorful feathers and the turkey’s head. Younger kids may need a little help with the cutting.
Decorate Your Glove
Glue one feather onto each of the four fingers of the glove. Then attach the turkey’s head to the thumb. Once the glove inflates, the four fingers will look like colorful turkey feathers, and the thumb becomes the turkey’s head!
Attach the Glove to the Cup
Stretch the opening of the glove over the outside of the cup’s rim. Secure it tightly with a rubber band so that air can’t escape around the edges. This part is important! A good seal makes it much easier to inflate your turkey.
Add Your Straw
Have an adult carefully make a small hole near the bottom of the plastic cup, just large enough for the straw to fit through. Insert the straw through the hole. If there’s any extra space around it, use a little tape to help create an airtight seal.
Blow Up Your Turkey!
Now comes the fun part! Have your child gently blow through the straw and watch as the glove slowly fills with air. The turkey’s feathers will begin to rise until the whole turkey is standing tall! Stop blowing, and watch what happens as the air escapes and the turkey deflates.
My favorite part of this activity is that kids can do it over and over again. Inflate, deflate, repeat!
The Science Behind the Blow Up Turkey
This might look like a silly Thanksgiving craft, but it’s also a really fun way to introduce kids to air pressure. Here’s what’s happening:
When your child blows into the straw, they’re pushing air into the cup. Since the glove is secured tightly around the top, that air travels up into the glove. As more air enters, it takes up space and pushes outward, causing the glove to inflate.
When your child stops blowing, air can escape back through the straw, allowing the glove to deflate. It’s a simple way to show kids that air takes up space, even though we can’t see it!
Want to Take the Science a Little Further?
Before your child starts blowing, ask a few questions:
- What do you think will happen when you blow into the straw?
- Which part of the turkey do you think will inflate first?
- What happens when you stop blowing?
- What do you think would happen if the glove wasn’t attached tightly to the cup?
Let them make their predictions and then test them! That’s one of my favorite ways to turn a simple activity into a little learning experience without making it feel like school.
Turn It Into a Thanksgiving Game!
Want to make this activity even more fun? Turn it into a Turkey Race! Give each child their own blow-up turkey and see who can inflate theirs first.
You can also try a few other variations:
- Count the Breaths: How many gentle breaths does it take to inflate the whole turkey? Have kids count and compare.
- One-Breath Challenge: See how much of the turkey they can inflate with just one comfortable breath.
- Turkey Race: Set up two turkeys side by side and have kids race to see whose turkey inflates first.
- Design Your Own Turkey: Skip the printable feathers and let kids decorate their gloves using craft feathers, paper, or other lightweight decorations.
Or Try a Real Feather Turkey!
Another fun way to switch things up is to decorate the glove with actual craft feathers! Attach a feather to each of the four fingers, then decorate the thumb with a turkey face, beak, and wattle. You can even add a googly eye for a little extra personality.
The activity works the same way, but the finished turkey has a completely different look!
A Fun Thanksgiving Activity for Kids of Different Ages
This is a great activity for preschoolers and elementary-aged kids, with a little help from an adult.
Younger kids will love decorating their turkeys and watching them inflate, while older kids can get more involved in predicting what will happen, testing different ideas, or turning it into a friendly competition.
It’s also a fun activity for Thanksgiving parties, classrooms, or keeping kids entertained while everyone is getting ready for the big meal. And since the supplies are inexpensive and easy to find, you can make several turkeys if you’re working with a group!
Get Your Blow Up a Turkey Printable
Ready to give this activity a try? Our Blow Up a Turkey Printable includes the turkey head, four colorful feathers, and step-by-step instructions to make putting everything together super easy.
Just print, cut, decorate, and get ready to blow up your turkey!
Looking for More Thanksgiving Activities?
If you’re looking for more ways to keep the kids busy this Thanksgiving, check out these activities too!
More printables
More on the blog
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t my turkey inflating?
What kind of glove works best?
Can we use real feathers instead of the printable?
Is this really a science experiment?
Can we reuse our blow-up turkey?
Safety note: Adult supervision is recommended. Have an adult make the hole in the cup, and supervise children when using scissors, straws, rubber bands, and small decorations. Choose age-appropriate materials and check glove packaging for latex if allergies are a concern.