Looking to make Thanksgiving dinner fun and festive for your little ones? This veggie turkey platter is not only a healthy addition to the table but also a creative activity your kids will love! With a few simple veggies, you can turn your appetizer tray into a turkey that’s kid-approved and dinner-ready!
Thanksgiving dinner is all about family, and what better way to involve your kids than with a fun veggie turkey project? This easy Thanksgiving craft doubles as a healthy dish, bringing creativity and fresh flavors to the table. No more boring vegetable trays—let’s make a veggie turkey that will impress everyone!
How to Make a Turkey Veggie Platter
The process of making this turkey veggie platter couldn’t be easier! It’s an adorable activity for the whole family that literally turns into something good to eat!
Here is a quick video of the process, from making the dip to arranging the veggies! Check it out and you’ll be ready to make your own turkey veggie tray in no time!
Turkey Veggie Tray Video
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Get ready to build your turkey! Start with these simple, healthy ingredients for a colorful and creative platter.
- Cucumber – Leave the peels on for a nice contrast on the tray.
- Carrots – Baby carrots are easy to use, but you can also grab whole carrots and slice them!
- Celery – Use the stalks for the platter and the leaves for the grass under the turkey!
- Bell pepper – Grab several different colors, but use red for the turkey face for the best contrast against the dip.
- Black Olives – These are optional, but they make super cute turkey eyes!
- Ranch Dip – We use this easy Ranch Dip that can be made without sour cream and is literally SO delicious!
Step 2: Start Building the Turkey
Now comes the fun part—assembling your turkey! Let your kids take the lead as they piece together the veggie turkey on a festive tray. It’s like painting, but with food!
First, thoroughly wash all of the veggies. I like to use a vegetable scrubber on the carrots rather than peel them but suit yourself! Then quarter one pepper and or ring-slice the rest, slice the carrots into strips lengthwise for feathers and separate the broccoli florets.
I like to let the kids cut the eyes, beak, wattle and feet…under close supervision, of course! Then you build your turkey!
- Create the body: Place the quartered yellow pepper in the center of the tray.
- Add the face: Stick mini cucumber wedges into the pepper for eyes and place the orange pepper triangle as the beak.
- Form the feathers: Arrange carrot sticks, bell peppers, and tomatoes behind the body like a fan, creating a colorful display.
- Complete the details: Use orange peppers for the feet and red pepper for the turkey’s waddle. Add broccoli for grass and scatter pepper and tomato “flowers” for a finishing touch.
Step 3: Let Your Kids Get Creative
The best part about this project is watching your kids use their imaginations! They can create patterns with the vegetables and choose their own favorite colors and textures. It’s a fun, hands-on way for them to contribute to the Thanksgiving spread while learning about healthy food choices.
A year or two ago, our daughter and grandson made this beautiful veggie turkey!
The Finished Turkey: A Colorful, Fun, and Healthy Centerpiece
Your veggie turkey is now complete, and it’s sure to be the star of the Thanksgiving appetizer table. The kids will be proud of their creation, and you’ll love serving a healthy, colorful dish that’s bursting with fresh vegetables.
Don’t forget to serve the dip on the side—our turkey was way too big to fit it on the same tray! (Delicious Ranch Dressing recipe below!)
Looking for some Thanksgiving Go-Withs?
Try These Delicious Side Dishes From Our Friends at A Modern Homestead!
More Awesome Thanksgiving Ideas
Looking for more fun ways to celebrate Thanksgiving with your family? Check out these favorites:
- Thanksgiving Thankful Door
- Make Your Own Butter – Holiday Science and Fun for the Kids
- Fall Owl Craft
- Thanksgiving Printables for Kids
- Our Favorite Cyber Monday Buys
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I really want to make this with my kids this year. My oldest would love it! She’d eat more veggies because of it and she’s artistic so she’d enjoy the challenge and new medium! Thanks for your great idea!!! (as usual!)
Mia! Thanks so much, my friend–do share a photo when your kiddo is finished! (Before the veggies are eaten, of course!)