We’re still using our coffee filters to make coffee filter crafts for kids!

This week, we’re making a really easy (and cute) coffee filter turtle craft!

This easy craft is part of a science and ELA lesson we’ve been working on about animal collective nouns.

In our lesson, we’ve been learning about groups of turtles. It turns out that a group of turtles has some pretty nifty names.

Read on to see how we learned about turtles and made this fun turtle craft. Plus, grab a free collective animal nouns matching activity for use with your students.

Learn even more about turtles with our list of fun turtle books for kids to read!

What Do You Call a Group of Turtles?

We’ve been learning about animal collective nouns for the past few weeks. Many animals have their own unique collective nouns for groups, so we might refer to a “pride” of lions or a “murder” of crows.

Did you know that a group of turtles can actually be referred to four different ways?

While a “bale” of turtles is the most commonly used term, a group of turtles can also be called a “nest” of turtles, a “dole” of turtles, or (my personal favorite) a “turn” of turtles.

Try saying a “turn of turtles” three times fast.

So – we decided to make our own turn of turtles using coffee filters!

How to Make a Coffee Filter Turtle Craft

To make this easy coffee filter turtle craft, you’ll need a few items. (This post contains affiliate links. For more, see our Disclosure Policy.)

• Two white basket coffee filters (One for each turtle)
• Washable markers
• Crayons
• Construction paper
• Glue stick
• Scissors

If you’re only making one turtle, you’ll only need one coffee filter. To make a family, grab a few more.

Start by coloring the filter light green. I used green apple here.

Then use a glue stick to glue the green coffee filter onto the center of a piece of green construction paper.

Use a brown marker to outline several turtle shell spots.

Then go back and fill in the outlines to make your shell markings solid.

Use a pencil to outline the head and four feet.

To keep the turtle body even, I drew the feet at opposite ends of the shell.

Cut the turtle out around the shell. Be careful not to cut the feet or head off!

Because I used green construction paper, I didn’t have to color the head or feet in.

Add a happy face with a black marker and you’re done!

Working with very young children? Try this even easier version that doesn’t require scissors!

With this one, color in the turtle “shell” as before. But use a green marker to color in the feet and head directly onto the construction paper.

Add a few polka dots or swirls to complete the picture.

Aw….they love each other!

And that’s it! Our “turn” of coffee filter turtles is complete!

Get the printable instructions below!

Want to learn more about how animal groups are named?

Don’t miss these other simple crafts for kids!

Check out more fun creative collective animal noun ideas below!

• Paper Plate Pod of Whales Craft – Let Them Be Small
• Colony of Rabbits Craft – Play Learn Everyday
• Handprint Paper Plate Pride of Lions Masks – Kids Craft Room
• Sleuth of Bears Paper Plate Craft – Clare’s Little Tots
• Swarm of Bees Pipe Cleaner Craft – Thimble and Twig