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Disguise a Turkey as a Cheerleader

To disguise a turkey as a cheerleader, add a pleated skirt and a top in your school colours, two shredded-paper pom-poms at the wing tips and a big hair bow, then colour the tail feathers to match the team. The pom-poms are the fun part and the part that makes it recognisable. About 30 minutes.

Time30 minutes
Best forK to 4th grade
CostFree with coloured paper
DifficultyEasy
Coloring page of a cartoon turkey disguised as a cheerleader
Download the Cheerleader 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
  • Paper in two school colours
  • Tissue paper, tinsel or shredded paper for pom-poms
  • Ribbon or paper for the bow
  • A paper megaphone (optional)
  • Glue stick and tape
  • Scissors

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 cheerleader, step by step

  1. Cut a strip of paper about twice as wide as the turkey's body and fold it back and forth into pleats. Glue the top edge across the middle of the body for the skirt.
  2. Cut a simple top shape and glue it above the skirt. Add a star or the first letter of the school name.
  3. Make two pom-poms: stack strips of tissue, pinch them in the middle with tape, and fluff the ends. Tape one to each wing tip.
  4. Glue a bow on top of the head.
  5. Colour the tail feathers in alternating school colours.
  6. Roll a small paper cone for a megaphone and glue it beside the turkey.
  7. Write the line: "My turkey is disguised as a cheerleader because the team needs her at the game, not on the table."

Printable cheerleader cut-out pieces

Printable cut-out costume pieces for a cheerleader 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

  • Tinsel from last year's decorations makes pom-poms in seconds.
  • Use the real school colours and the teacher will love it.
  • Tape holds pom-poms better than glue.

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:

  • “Give me a T! Give me an O! Give me a FU! What does that spell? Tofu!”
  • “Two, four, six, eight, put some pizza on your plate!”
  • “I am cheering for vegetables this year.”

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

More disguise ideas

Gumball machineFill a clear circle on the body with pom-poms or dot stickers and add a red base with a co…RumiAdd a very long braid, a stage jacket and a microphone, and colour the feathers as stage l…BatmanAdd a black cowl with two pointed ears, a cape over the tail feathers and a bat shape on t…ElsaGive the turkey a long side braid, an ice-blue gown and a sheer cape, and turn the feather…UnicornAdd a rolled-paper horn and make each tail feather a different pastel colour for the mane …Baseball playerAdd a cap, a pinstripe jersey with a number, and a craft-stick bat.…

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

Last updated 2026-11-14.