Kids Kreate

Thanksgiving Fun: Pumpkin / Gourd Turkey Centerpiece

MATERIALS:

Gourd
Round toothpicks
Pumpkin or gourd
Red chili pepper
Orange rind
Cloves
Corn husks or tamale wrappers
Tempera paint
Pair of red gloves

Directions:

1. To create the turkey's face, push a few toothpicks halfway into one side of the gourd, then attach it to the pumpkin by pushing the protruding toothpick ends through the pumpkin shell.

2. Use the same method to attach the chili-pepper wattle. For eyes, use two orange-rind circles. Push a clove through the center of each one and into the gourd.

3. Next, tint the corn husk feathers by dipping them into diluted tempera paints (2 parts water to 1 part paint) and attach them to the pumpkin with toothpicks. Set the completed pumpkin atop the red gloves so that the fingers resemble turkey feet.

Belinda Mooney is the mother of seven children, a veteran homeschooler and a freelance writer. Her articles have appeared in over 70 publications. Her Kids in the Kitchen column is carried Mid-Ohio Valley Parenting, Families First and Gainesville Family. You can reach her at

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