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Disguise a Turkey as a Gumball Machine

To disguise a turkey as a gumball machine, cover the body with a clear globe full of colourful dots, stand it on a red base with a coin slot, and put a round lid on its head. Dot stickers or pom-poms make the gumballs, and the result looks far harder than it is. Allow about 35 minutes, more if you glue pom-poms one by one.

Time35 minutes
Best forK to 5th grade
CostFree to low
DifficultyMedium
Coloring page of a cartoon turkey disguised as a gumball machine
Download the Gumball machine 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
  • Dot stickers, pom-poms or a hole punch and coloured paper
  • A clear plastic lid or a zip bag cut into a circle
  • Red paper for the base and lid
  • Grey or foil scrap for the coin slot
  • White glue and tape
  • Black marker

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 gumball machine, step by step

  1. Draw a large circle over the turkey's body in pencil. This is the globe.
  2. Fill the circle with dot stickers, pom-poms or punched paper dots in as many colours as you have. Overlap them so no white shows.
  3. Tape the clear lid or plastic circle over the gumballs for the glass. Skip this if you used pom-poms; they look good bare.
  4. Cut a red trapezoid base, glue it under the globe, and add a grey rectangle for the coin slot and a small flap for the door.
  5. Cut a small red half-circle lid with a knob and glue it on the head.
  6. Colour each tail feather a different gumball colour, and write "25 cents" on the base if your teacher allows words.
  7. Write the line: "My turkey is disguised as a gumball machine because people put coins in it, not stuffing."

Printable gumball machine cut-out pieces

Printable cut-out costume pieces for a gumball machine 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 hole punch and a few sheets of coloured paper make a hundred gumballs in two minutes.
  • Glue one or two loose gumballs below the door, as if they just rolled out.
  • Pom-poms need white glue and a night to dry.

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 gumball machine. Twist my knob and take a treat.”
  • “I am full of gum, not gravy.”
  • “Please insert one coin and do not insert me into the oven.”

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

More disguise ideas

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…The GrinchColour the turkey green, add a Santa hat and coat, a sly grin and a sack over the tail.…AstronautCover the head with a clear or white helmet circle, wrap the body in foil and add star sti…Slice of pizzaCover the body with a yellow triangle, a brown crust on top and red circle pepperoni.…

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

Last updated 2026-11-14.