Turkey Twinkies: The Cutest (and Easiest!) Thanksgiving Treat
Updated on November 9, 2026
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These adorable Turkey Twinkies are an easy Thanksgiving treat for kids that doubles as a fun edible craft! Made with just three ingredients—Twinkies, candy corn, and candy eyeballs—these little turkeys are almost too cute to eat.
If you’re looking for a simple Thanksgiving activity to do with your kids, this is a great one! There’s no baking involved, and kids can have fun decorating their own turkeys.
My kids loved making these, and they were even more excited to eat them afterward! We don’t eat a lot of candy or packaged sweets, but sometimes a fun holiday treat is worth making an exception for.
Why Kids Will Love These Turkey Twinkies
These cute Thanksgiving treats are:
- Easy to make: Just three ingredients and a few minutes of assembly.
- No-bake: No oven or complicated preparation required.
- Fun and creative: Kids can arrange their turkey feathers and create silly faces.
- Perfect for Thanksgiving: A cute addition to a holiday dessert table or a fun afternoon activity.
- Great for little hands: Placing the candy feathers and eyes gives kids an opportunity to practice fine motor skills.
Plus, each Twinkie makes two little turkeys!
How to Make Turkey Twinkies
You only need three ingredients to make these adorable Thanksgiving treats. They’re perfect for an afternoon activity with kids or as a fun addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table.
Ingredients
You’ll also need a small knife for cutting the Twinkies and preparing the candy pieces. An adult should handle the cutting.
Step 1: Cut the Twinkies
Cut each Twinkie in half crosswise to make two smaller pieces.
Each half will become the body of one turkey. Place the Twinkies on a plate or cutting board with the rounded end facing up.
Step 2: Add the Candy Corn Feathers
Using a small knife, carefully poke holes along the rounded top and sides of each Twinkie.
Gently insert pieces of candy corn into the holes to create the turkey’s colorful feathers.
Tip: Don’t make the holes too close together, or the cake may tear and the candy corn won’t stay in place.
Step 3: Attach the Candy Eyes
Scoop a little cream from the cut end of the Twinkie and use it to attach two candy eyeballs to the front.
The cream acts like edible glue, so there’s no need for additional frosting!
Step 4: Make the Beak and Wattle
Cut a piece of candy corn into a small triangle for the turkey’s beak.
Use another small piece of candy corn for the wattle (the little flap that hangs beside a turkey’s beak).
Attach both pieces with a tiny dab of Twinkie cream.
That’s it! Your adorable Turkey Twinkies are ready to enjoy.
Tips for Making Turkey Twinkies With Kids
Prepare the cutting ahead of time. If you’re making these with younger kids, cut the Twinkies and prepare the smaller candy pieces before starting. That way, kids can focus on decorating.
Be gentle with the candy corn. Twinkies are soft, so pushing the candy in too hard can cause them to break apart. Making small holes first helps.
Set up a decorating station. Place the candy corn and eyeballs in small bowls so everyone can easily reach the ingredients.
Let kids get creative! Some turkeys might have extra feathers or silly-looking eyes. That’s part of the fun!
Make them close to serving time. These treats are best enjoyed soon after assembling so the cakes stay soft and the decorations look their best.
Keep younger children supervised. Hard candy decorations can be a choking hazard for young children. Choose age-appropriate decorations and supervise while making and eating the treats.
Can You Make Turkey Twinkies Ahead of Time?
You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time to make assembly easier.
Cut the candy pieces and organize everything into small containers before your Thanksgiving gathering. Then let the kids assemble their turkeys when they’re ready.
For the freshest results, I recommend decorating the Twinkies on the day you plan to serve them.
More Fun Thanksgiving Treats and Activities for Kids
Looking for more Thanksgiving fun? Here are a few other easy activities and treats to try:
- Ice Cream Cone Cornucopias – A fun Thanksgiving treat made with candy-filled ice cream cones.
- Peanut Butter Ball Turkeys – Another adorable edible turkey activity for kids.
- Turkey Food Art – A healthier Thanksgiving snack made with fruit and other simple ingredients.
- Candy Hand Turkey Craft – A colorful Thanksgiving craft that uses candy for decorating.
- Turkey Toilet Paper Roll Craft – A simple Thanksgiving craft made with recycled materials.
- Learning Fractions With Pumpkin Pie Playdough – A hands-on Thanksgiving math activity for kids.
You can also browse my collection of 20 Fun Thanksgiving Food Crafts for Kids for more festive inspiration.
These Turkey Twinkies are proof that Thanksgiving treats don’t have to be complicated to be fun. With just a few ingredients, you can turn an ordinary snack into a cute holiday activity your kids will enjoy making—and eating!
Turkey Twinkies
Ingredients
Method
- Cut the Twinkies in half.
- Using a small knife, poke small holes along the sides of the Twinkies. Make sure to leave some space between the holes, or the candy corn will not stay in. Then, gently poke the candy corn into the holes to create the turkey’s feathers.
- Use a little cream from the cut side of the Twinkies to attach the candy eyeballs.
- Cut candy corn into small triangles for the beaks, and even smaller triangles (you can use the excess from the beaks) to create the wattles. Then, use a little of the cream from the Twinkies to attach them to the turkey.
