Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and festive fun. Adding a creative touch to a holiday outfit can make the celebration even more memorable.
Finding the perfect holiday look doesn’t have to be complicated. These creative ideas transform hair into festive masterpieces that everyone will love.
Get ready to celebrate the season with style and flair. Here are 17 Thanksgiving turkey hairstyles for kids to try this year.
1. Classic Sock Bun Turkey
Start by pulling the hair into a high, sleek ponytail at the crown of the head. Use a mesh donut or a rolled sock to create a voluminous, rounded bun that serves as the turkey’s body.
Once the bun is secure, tuck colorful craft feathers into the back of the hair elastic so they fan out behind the bun. This creates a vibrant plumage effect that looks professional yet playful.
To finish the look, add a small turkey face to the center of the bun using felt or cardstock. Secure the facial features with small bobby pins to ensure the “turkey” stays intact during dinner.
2. Ribbon Braid Fan
This style utilizes a series of small braids to mimic the appearance of a turkey’s spread tail. Create five to seven small three-strand braids starting from the mid-section of the head.
Weave thin ribbons in traditional fall colors like orange, red, and yellow through each braid. Secure the ends with clear elastics and fan them out toward the top of the head in a semi-circle.
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Bring the remaining hair into a low bun at the base of the fan to act as the turkey’s body. Use a large brown bow or a custom clip to cover the elastics and complete the theme.
3. Pipe Cleaner Plumage Bun
Pipe cleaners are an excellent tool for adding structure and bright color to any festive hairstyle. Wrap several fuzzy pipe cleaners around the base of a standard bun, bending them upward into loops.
Alternate colors like gold, burnt orange, and deep red to give the “feathers” a realistic autumnal feel. Because pipe cleaners are flexible, you can adjust the “tail” to be as tall or wide as desired.
The metallic or fuzzy texture of the pipe cleaners adds a fun 3D element to the hair. This is a durable option that holds its shape even during active holiday games.
4. Feathered Space Bun Duo
If you want a modern twist on the turkey theme, consider using double buns instead of one. Part the hair down the center and create two high buns on either side of the head.
Treat each bun as an individual turkey by adding mini feathers or colored hair extensions to the back of each one. This creates a symmetrical and whimsical look that stands out in holiday photos.
Add tiny googly eyes to the front of each bun for a cute, double-turkey effect. It is a lightweight style that distributes the weight of accessories evenly across the head.
5. Felt Turkey Face Headband
For hair that is too short for elaborate braiding, a DIY headband is the perfect solution. Create a custom turkey face out of brown and orange felt pieces.
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Attach the felt turkey to a comfortable headband using hot glue or strong fabric adhesive. Surround the turkey face with stiffened felt “feathers” that stand upright when the headband is worn.
This option is great for kids who prefer not to have their hair pulled back tightly. It provides all the festive spirit of a turkey hairstyle with minimal styling time.
6. Tulle Tutu Hair Tie
Tulle is a fantastic material for creating a soft and voluminous turkey tail. Tie small strips of orange, yellow, and brown tulle onto a sturdy hair elastic.
Gather the hair into a high ponytail and secure it with the tulle-covered elastic. The tulle will naturally puff out, creating a textured and colorful fan behind the head.
Wrap the ponytail into a neat bun so the tulle surrounds it like a frame. This creates a soft, ballerina-inspired turkey look that is both elegant and festive.
7. Braid Crown with Fall Leaves
While not a direct turkey shape, this style uses the colors and textures of the season to complement a Thanksgiving theme. Create two French braids that meet at the back.
Tuck small silk autumn leaves or turkey-shaped clips along the length of the braids. This mimics the environment of a turkey and looks beautiful from every angle.
Finish the style by pinning the ends of the braids into a circular shape at the nape of the neck. This keeps the hair secure and out of the way during the big holiday meal.
8. Double Dutch Braid Turkey Tail
Dutch braids provide a raised, 3D look that works perfectly as the base for a turkey body. Braid two parallel Dutch braids from the forehead down to the nape.
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Merge the two braids into one large ponytail at the bottom. Fan out the hair in the ponytail and use temporary hair chalk to color the strands in “feather” shades.
The contrast between the structured braids and the colorful, fanned-out tail creates a striking visual. Use a small turkey-shaped charm at the point where the braids meet for extra detail.
9. Turkey Tail Mohawk
This edgy style is perfect for kids with shorter hair or those who want a bold look. Create a series of small “ponycorn” sections running down the center of the head.
Fan out each small ponytail and spray them with temporary fall-colored hairspray. The result is a row of colorful “feathers” that look like a turkey’s tail in motion.
This style is surprisingly easy to achieve with just elastics and a bit of hairspray. It provides a high-impact look that is sure to be a conversation starter at any gathering.
10. Googly Eye Bobby Pins
Sometimes the best festive touches are the most subtle ones. Glue small googly eyes onto the flat ends of brown bobby pins to create “turkey eyes.”
These pins can be tucked into any bun, braid, or ponytail to instantly transform a standard hairstyle into a holiday character. They are easy to make and very affordable.
Pair these pins with an orange ribbon “beak” clipped just below the eyes. It is a quick way to add holiday spirit to a daily hairstyle in under five minutes.
11. Glitter Root Turkey
Adding glitter to the hair roots is a trendy way to celebrate. Use a mixture of hair gel and biodegradable glitter in gold, bronze, and orange tones.
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Apply the glitter to the center part before pulling the hair into a bun or ponytail. The sparkle represents the shimmering feathers of a prize turkey.
This style works exceptionally well under bright dining room lights. It adds a touch of “glam” to the Thanksgiving festivities while keeping the turkey theme central.
12. Hand-Drawn Turkey Ribbon Bow
Take a wide brown grosgrain ribbon and use fabric markers to draw a turkey face and colorful feathers directly onto the fabric. Tie this ribbon into a large bow.
Place the bow at the top of a ponytail or the base of a braid. The hand-drawn element allows for a personalized touch that reflects the child’s own creativity.
This is a great activity to do together before the holiday begins. It turns the preparation for Thanksgiving into a fun craft project for the whole family.
13. Fishtail Braid Plumage
A fishtail braid has a unique texture that closely resembles the overlapping look of bird feathers. Create a single, thick fishtail braid starting at the mid-head.
Gently pull at the edges of the braid to “pancake” it, making it look wider and flatter. This width mimics the spread of a turkey’s tail feathers.
Weave in small pieces of orange and red yarn to enhance the color palette. It is a sophisticated take on the turkey theme that looks intricate and professional.
14. Mini Ponytail Fan
This style involves creating a semi-circle of mini ponytails around the back of the head. Each ponytail represents a single feather in the turkey’s tail.
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Use multi-colored elastics to secure each section, following a pattern of red, orange, and yellow. Connect the ends of all the mini ponytails into one central bun.
The central bun acts as the turkey’s body, while the radiating ponytails create a perfect fan. This style is very secure and keeps hair out of the face all day.
15. Clutched Claw Clip Turkey
Claw clips are making a huge comeback and can be easily decorated for Thanksgiving. Attach small felt feathers to the outer teeth of a brown claw clip.
Gather the hair into a twist and secure it with the decorated clip. The feathers will stand out from the head, creating an effortless turkey silhouette.
This is the fastest “pro” style for busy holiday mornings. It requires very little styling skill while still delivering a high-quality festive look.
16. Scarf Wrapped Bun
Use a small silk or cotton scarf featuring fall patterns or solid autumnal colors. Wrap the scarf around a high bun, leaving the ends to stick out at the top.
The ends of the scarf can be stiffened with a bit of wire or hairspray to stand up like feathers. This adds a classic, vintage-inspired look to the Thanksgiving ensemble.
The fabric adds a pop of color and texture that hair alone cannot achieve. It is a comfortable option that feels soft against the head throughout the day.
17. Braided Beak and Wattle
For a truly unique look, focus on the front of the hairstyle. Create two tiny braids near the forehead using orange and red extensions or ribbons.
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Cross the orange braid over the red one to mimic a turkey’s beak and wattle. Secure these to a headband or pin them back into a larger ponytail.
This detail is subtle but incredibly creative once noticed. It pairs perfectly with a brown bun or “feathered” ponytail to complete the full turkey transformation.
How long do these styles take?
Most of these hairstyles can be completed in 15 to 30 minutes. Styles using accessories like headbands or claw clips are even faster, often taking less than five minutes to secure.
What supplies are needed?
Basic supplies include hair elastics, bobby pins, and a brush. For the turkey theme, you may also need craft feathers, pipe cleaners, felt, ribbons, or temporary hair color spray.
Will these work on short hair?
Yes, many of these ideas are adaptable. For very short hair, focus on using decorated headbands, clips, or temporary hair chalk to create the turkey “plumage” without needing long strands.
Are they comfortable for all-day wear?
If elastics and pins are placed correctly without being too tight, these styles are very comfortable. Using soft materials like tulle and felt helps keep the style lightweight for long holiday events.
Can I use real feathers?
While real feathers can be used, craft feathers are usually preferred for kids. Craft feathers are sterilized, come in more vibrant colors, and are easier to attach to hair accessories.
How do I remove the accessories easily?
To remove the styles safely, carefully snip any disposable elastics with hair-cutting scissors. Gently slide out bobby pins and clips one by one to avoid tangling or pulling the hair.