Turkey Root Beer Drink: A Fizzy, Feathered Thanksgiving Drink for Kids

a bottle of root beer decorated to look like a turkey

When it comes to Thanksgiving, the spotlight is usually on the turkey, the pie, and the stretchy pants. But what if the drinks got their own moment to shine? Especially drinks that are cute, kid-approved, and fizzy to boot? Enter the Turkey Root Beer Drink, a playful, craft-meets-refreshment idea that’s a perfect Thanksgiving drink for kids.

So let’s gobble up the details and learn how to turn plain root beer into a perfect Thanksgiving craft for kids.

Supplies for a Thanksgiving Drink for Kids:

To make one Turkey Root Beer Drink, gather the following:

Turkey Root Beer Drink supplies a bottle of root beer scissors a black marker and construction paper

A “personal size” bottle of root beer
Construction paper
Black marker
Scissors
Glue stick or tape
Optional: googly eyes, ribbon, or name tag for extra flair

Tip: This also works great with cream soda or any other dark-colored bottled soda or juice, so it’s easy to customize for different tastes.

How to Make a Turkey Root Beer Drink

a close up of two white circles cut out for eyes

Step 1: Make the Face

Start by cutting out two white paper circles for the eyes. Draw black pupils with a marker. Offset the pupils from the center of the eye to avoid the “deer in the headlights” look.

a close up of the red construction paper cut out to look like a waddle

Next, cut out an orange triangle for the beak, and a little red wattle shape to hang next to the beak. (Sort of a teardrop/small squiggly blob. Imperfection is perfection here.)

Turkey Root Beer Drink with the eyes beak and wattle glued on

Step 2: Assemble the Face

Glue the eyes, beak, and wattle onto the front of the bottle, near the neck. For plastic bottles, glue dots or tape may work better than a traditional glue stick.

Make sure everything is close together to give each turkey a cartoony, wide-eyed look. Don’t worry if they’re a little crooked, it just adds personality.

Step 3: Cut Out the Feathers

Using fall-colored construction paper, cut out several feather shapes. These can be oval, leaf-shaped, or even spiky like cartoon feathers. A mix of yellow, red, orange, and green colors gives that perfect harvest vibe.

Each bottle needs 4–6 feathers, depending on the size.

colored feathers glued on to the root beer bottle

Step 4: Add the Feathers

Flip the bottle around and glue or tape the feathers to the back, so they fan out behind the “turkey’s” head. Arrange them in a half-circle shape or overlap for a fuller effect.

Optional: Tie a ribbon or name tag around the neck to turn each drink into a place card for the Thanksgiving table.

And just like that, this fizzy friend is ready to join the party.

Why This Is the Perfect Thanksgiving Drink for Kids

These turkey root beer drinks are easy enough for preschoolers to help make, but charming enough that older kids and tweens will still want to show them off. They make perfect Thanksgiving table ideas for kids, since the kids’ table is where food decor is just as important as flavor.

Plus, this kid-friendly Thanksgiving drink is portable, customizable, and mess-free. The turkey parts can even be cut out ahead of time. So they’re perfect for keeping little hands busy while grown-ups finish up the stuffing.

More Fun Ways to Use Turkey Root Beer Drinks

Thanksgiving Table Placeholders: Write names on a feather or tie a tag around the neck with twine. Each kid can find their seat by spotting their turkey drink.
Craft + Snack Station: Set up a DIY turkey drink table with all the supplies laid out. Let kids decorate their bottles while snacking on crackers or pumpkin muffins nearby. It’s a fun and simple Thanksgiving craft for kids.
Host a “Turkey Toast”: Gather the whole family before dinner for a fun toast with their turkey drinks in hand. Kids will love clinking their bottles together like grown-ups.
Party Favors: Hosting a Friendsgiving or classroom party? These make adorable take-home favors.

Easy Ways to Customize

Want to mix things up or avoid soda altogether? Try these turkey drink variations:

Juice Bottles: Use small apple juice bottles for a no-fizz version, especially good for toddlers.
Reusable Water Bottles: Decorate empty reusable bottles and let kids refill them with flavored water or punch.
Milk Bottles with Straws: Pour chocolate milk or cream soda into clear glass bottles and add a cute striped straw for a classic touch.
Add a Turkey Hat: Feeling extra crafty? Make a little pilgrim hat or headband for the turkey bottle using black and yellow paper.

This Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Drink is a Sip of Joy on a Busy Day

Thanksgiving tends to be chaotic in the best way. Between the parade, the cooking, the cleanup, and the naps, sometimes it’s easy to miss the little moments that make the holiday magical. Turkey Root Beer Drinks are one of those small but special touches that can bring kids in on the fun of the day in a way that’s hands-on, joyful, and entirely their own.

Plus, they’re a reminder that not everything needs to be fancy or fussy to be fun. Sometimes, a bottle of root beer with paper feathers is all it takes to make a kid’s Thanksgiving feel unforgettable.

So this year, grab the glue, give the soda a glow-up, and let your little turkeys decorate their own Thanksgiving drink. The bubbles are just a bonus.

stacie

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