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Disguise a Turkey as a Ballerina

To disguise a turkey as a ballerina, gather a tutu from a coffee filter, tissue paper or tulle around the waist, add ballet slippers with crossed ribbons up the legs and a small bun or tiara on the head. Colour the tail feathers as a stage curtain or a bouquet thrown from the audience. It takes about 30 minutes and works with supplies from the kitchen drawer.

Time30 minutes
Best forPre-K to 3rd grade
CostFree
DifficultyEasy
Coloring page of a cartoon turkey disguised as a ballerina
Download the Ballerina pack (PDF)Picture only (PNG)

The PDF has three pages: this picture to colour, the cut-out pieces, and a blank turkey to build on.

What you need

  • Printed turkey outline on cardstock
  • One or two coffee filters, or a strip of tulle or tissue
  • Pink marker or paint
  • Thin ribbon or yarn
  • Foil or glitter paper for a tiara
  • Sequins (optional)
  • Glue stick and white glue

No printer ink to spare? Print only page 3 (the blank turkey) and draw the costume by hand using the picture as a guide.

How to disguise a turkey as a ballerina, step by step

  1. Colour a coffee filter pink with marker, then fold it in half and gather the folded edge into pleats.
  2. Glue the gathered edge across the turkey's waist so the ruffle sticks out. Add a second layer for a fuller tutu.
  3. Colour the top of the body as a leotard and add two thin straps.
  4. Colour the feet pink for slippers and draw or glue ribbon crossing up each leg.
  5. Glue a small paper circle on top of the head for a bun, with a tiny tiara or bow in front.
  6. Colour the tail feathers deep red like a stage curtain, or pink and white like flowers.
  7. Write the line: "My turkey is disguised as a ballerina because the show starts at dinner time."

Printable ballerina cut-out pieces

Printable cut-out costume pieces for a ballerina turkey disguise

Print the cut-out sheet at 100% on plain paper or cardstock, colour the pieces first, then cut them out and glue them onto the turkey. The pieces are not scaled to one particular outline, so hold each one against your turkey first and trim it, or use it as a pattern to trace at the size you need.

Cut-out sheet (PNG)Blank turkey outlines

The cut-out sheet was drawn with an AI image tool and checked by hand. Shapes are simple on purpose so small scissors can follow them.

Tips that save time

  • A cupcake liner flattened and cut in half also makes a good tutu.
  • A drop of water on washable marker spreads the colour through a coffee filter like tie-dye.
  • Glue sequins only on the leotard; they pop off ruffles.

Lines for the writing part

Most classes ask for a sentence or a short paragraph in the turkey's voice. Three starters your child can change:

  • “I am a prima ballerina, and I have a performance on Thursday.”
  • “Turkeys cannot dance on their toes. I can.”
  • “Please hold your applause, and your forks.”

There are printable writing pages for three grade bands in the project guide.

More disguise ideas

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See all 81 disguise a turkey ideas, or type your own into the turkey disguise generator.

Last updated 2026-11-14.