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Disguise a Turkey as a Pirate

To disguise a turkey as a pirate, add a pirate hat or bandana, an eye patch on a string, a striped shirt and a rolled treasure map under one wing. The tail feathers can become the ship's sails or a parrot's bright tail. It is a forgiving disguise for all ages because the eye patch alone is recognisable, and it takes about 30 minutes.

Time30 minutes
Best forPre-K to 4th grade
CostFree
DifficultyEasy
Coloring page of a cartoon turkey disguised as a pirate
Download the Pirate 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
  • Black paper for the hat and eye patch
  • Red scrap for a bandana
  • White paper and a red or blue marker for stripes
  • Brown paper bag scrap for the map
  • String or yarn
  • Gold stickers or foil for coins
  • Glue stick

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 pirate, step by step

  1. Cut a wide black hat with a curved brim and glue it on the head. Decorate it with a simple X or a feather rather than anything scary.
  2. Cut a small black oval for the eye patch and glue it over one eye. Run a piece of string from it around the head.
  3. Draw stripes on white paper, cut a shirt shape and glue it over the body.
  4. Tear the edges of the brown paper, draw a dotted path and an X, roll it loosely and tape it under one wing.
  5. Colour the tail feathers as striped sails, or in bright parrot colours.
  6. Add a few gold coin stickers at the feet and a belt with a square buckle.
  7. Write the line: "My turkey is disguised as a pirate because it is sailing away until Friday."

Printable pirate cut-out pieces

Printable cut-out costume pieces for a pirate 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

  • Tearing the map by hand looks more convincing than cutting it.
  • A drop of cold tea or coffee on the map ages it nicely; dry it before gluing.
  • A hoop earring made from a paper ring is a quick extra.

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:

  • “Arrr, there be no turkey on this ship.”
  • “X marks the spot, and the spot is far away from the kitchen.”
  • “I be Captain Wattle, and I be leaving port tonight.”

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

More disguise ideas

PrincessAdd a crown, a long gown that covers the body and legs, and make the feathers the puffed s…UnicornAdd a rolled-paper horn and make each tail feather a different pastel colour for the mane …AstronautCover the head with a clear or white helmet circle, wrap the body in foil and add star sti…FirefighterAdd a red helmet with a badge, a yellow-striped coat and a paper hose; colour the feathers…KnightWrap the body in foil armour, add a helmet with a visor and a cardboard shield with your o…MermaidTurn the lower body into a scaly tail with a fin, add a shell top and colour the feathers …

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

Last updated 2026-11-14.