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November 5, 2016 — by Marissa (1 Comment)
Can you believe Thanksgiving is almost here? It feels like we just blinked and suddenly the whole year is wrapping up. That cozy, festive feeling starts to creep in, and I find myself reaching for simple, fun ideas to make the day special. These marshmallow turkey pops are one of those little joys. They’re easy, colorful, and honestly, kids love jumping in to help.
Think of them as tiny edible decorations. They add a pop of color to your table and a bit of playful charm. I’ve made these with kids before, and it always turns into laughter, sticky fingers, and sweet memories.
What You Need
Chocolate melts or discs
Large marshmallows
Mini marshmallows
Candy eyes
Red hot candies
Orange heart-shaped Sweetarts
Red, yellow, and orange sugar
Toothpicks
Sucker sticks
It’s a simple list, and you can usually find everything in one quick trip to the store.
How to Make Marshmallow Turkey Pops
Start by pouring each color of sugar onto its own plate. Then fill a small bowl with water. This part always feels a bit like setting up a mini art station, which makes it fun right away.
Now grab a toothpick and stick it into a mini marshmallow. This just makes it easier to hold. Dip the marshmallow into the water, then tap off the extra on the side of the bowl. Roll it in the colored sugar so it gets a nice coating. Gently slide it off the toothpick onto parchment paper. Keep going until all your mini marshmallows are bright and colorful. Then let them sit and dry.
While those dry, take your large marshmallows and push a sucker stick into the back, near the bottom. Set them aside. At this point, it already starts to look like a little assembly line, and I love that part.
Next, pour your chocolate melts into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat them for 30 seconds, then stir. Keep repeating until the chocolate is smooth and melted. Don’t rush this step. Slow and steady keeps the chocolate nice and glossy.
Now dip each large marshmallow into the melted chocolate. Make sure it’s fully coated. Tap it gently on the edge of the bowl to remove extra chocolate. Then, while it’s still soft, quickly add the eyes, nose, and wattle. This is the fun part where each turkey starts to get its own little personality.
And just like that, you’ve got a batch of cute, festive treats. They’re simple, a bit messy, and full of charm—just the way holiday memories should be.
While those are setting and getting firm, you can start on the fun part—the “feathers.” I always enjoy this step because it feels a bit like making tiny colorful stacks. Take a toothpick and gently slide on a yellow marshmallow about halfway down. Then add an orange one, and finish with a red. Keep going until you’ve got a whole bunch ready—it’s oddly satisfying, like lining up little rainbows.
Once everything feels dry and solid, it’s time to bring it all together. Grab three of your feather toothpicks and press them into the top back of your marshmallow. I remember the first time I did this, I was worried I’d mess it up—but honestly, it’s pretty forgiving. Just aim for a fan shape, and it starts to look like a tiny turkey right away.
And that’s it—they’re ready to be gobbled up! There’s something so cheerful about seeing them all lined up. They look playful, and they always make people smile before they even take a bite.
I’ve used these marshmallow turkey pops as party favors, and they disappear fast. They also work as cute centerpieces if you group a few together. It gives the table a warm, homemade feel, like you really put thought into it.
So tell me—what kind of turkey decorations do you love making?