One of our favorite Thanksgiving traditions is making an apple turkey. While mom is busy in the kitchen, I gather the kids with me and make this fun and easy craft, which is even more fun to eat at the end of the day. Apple turkeys have been a long standing tradition at our house for Thanksgiving Day.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: About 15 minutes

Here's How:

1. Take one large red delicious apple and lay it on its side, with the smaller end to the right.

1. On the right end (smaller end of the apple), insert five toothpicks in a fan-type arrangement.
2. On the left (larger end of the apple), insert a toothpick even with the center toothpick on the opposite end.
3. On each toothpick of the fan you created on the smaller end of the apple, slide gum drops or small colored marshmallows so that they look like feathers.
4. Take a large marshmallow which will be the head of the turkey, and using the end of scissors or a small pocket knife, cut two small slits for eyes, one for a beak and one on the bottom of the marshmallow for the turkey wattle (the little red dangling thing).
5. Put two chocolate chips with the pointed ends facing in on the marshmallow for eyes, a candy corn with the pointed end facing out for a beak, and a small red licorice bit cut in half under the marshmallow for the wattle.
6. Stick the marshmallow "head" onto the toothpick you put on the larger end of the apple.
7. Turn the apple turkey over and put four toothpicks, two in front and two in back, so the apple will stand on the toothpick legs.

Tips:

1. Some apple turkeys I have seen have used raisins or other dried fruit for the feathers. This would make a healthier treat at the end of the day.
2. The toothpick legs may need to be at different lengths to make the turkey stand straight, depending on the shape of the apple. Experiment a little until it looks right.

What You Need:

• Big red delicious apples
• Toothpicks
• Gum drops or small colored marshmallows
• Large marshmallows
• Chocolate chips
• Red licorice bits
• Candy corn
• Scissors or a small paring knife