Thanksgiving Classroom Activity: How to Make Turkey Fruit Kebabs

Looking for a Thanksgiving classroom activity that’s healthy, easy, and fun? Turkey fruit kebabs are the perfect way to celebrate the holiday with your students!

I’ve been making these Turkey fruit kebabs with my classes for over ten years, and they’ve become one of my favorite classroom traditions. They’re simple to prep, kid-friendly, and a healthy alternative to sugary classroom party treats.

Supplies:

• Skewers (one per student, plus a few extra)

• Tape (painter's tape or other colored tape)

• Melon (for the body)

• Pear (for the head)

• Firm fruit like grapes, strawberries, even watermelon

• Cheese

Prep Ahead:

• Label the skewers: Wrap a small piece of tape around the top of each skewer and write each student’s name on it. This helps ensure each child touches—and eats—only their own kebab. (Fewer germs = happier teacher!)

• Build the turkey base: Cut a small slice off the bottom of the melon so it sits flat. Use a skewer to attach the pear (the head) to the melon (the body). Don’t forget to add eyes! You can draw them with a Sharpie or get creative with wiggly eyes, raisins, or mini chocolate chips.

• Prep the fruit and cheese: Wash and cut the fruit as needed, and cube the cheese. Keep everything refrigerated until you’re ready to start assembling.

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Assemble the Turkey

In small groups, invite students to the table to build their turkey feather kebabs.Each student can choose the fruit and cheese pieces they want to add—usually around six per skewer works best. (There’s always one student who picks all cheese… a child after my own heart! 😉)

Once complete, an adult can stick each feather into the melon body to create the turkey.

Teacher Tips:

• Make extras to share with school staff and administration—they’ll love the treat!

• Ask families for fruit and cheese donations to help with costs.

• Invite parent volunteers to assist with prepping, cutting, or helping students assemble their kebabs.

• Model safe skewer use: Before you start, demonstrate how to safely handle skewers and set clear behavior expectations.

  
  

Party Time:

Take your turkey on a tour of the school to spread Thanksgiving cheer. School staff and admin will love seeing your class, the turkey and being offered a healthy turkey fruit feather.

When it’s time to eat, talk about what your class is thankful for, play “Thankful” by The Juicebox Jukebox, and enjoy your healthy Thanksgiving classroom celebration together.

And don’t forget—you can even cut up and eat the melon and pear too!

This Thanksgiving classroom activity is:

• Easy to prep and perfect for all grade levels (especially Kindergarten and 1st grade)

• Hands-on and engaging for students

• Healthy (no sugar crash!)

• A great way to build classroom community and gratitude

  
  

Your students will love this healthy, fun, and memorable Thanksgiving party idea!