Turkey Hand Print

 
 
 
Each year when my kids were little we would make a hand print turkey.   The boys would write their name under their creation and we would add the date.  These fine feathered fowl would be transformed into a holiday greeting card and away it would travel over the miles to brighten the face of their Granny.  Granny saved these cards for years creating a flock of turkeys of varying sizes on her refrigerator door.  We didn’t plan it, but it turned out to be a wonderful way to watch and remember the growth of our children. 
 
This week I plan on pulling out the paper, markers and maybe even paint or ink pads
 to continue the tradition onto the next generation of children in our family. 
I foresee a flock of turkeys being created to decorate my refrigerator!
 
Traditions are a wonderful component of building strong families.  Spending time together, interacting, laughing and communicating helps cement the bonds of family relationships.
 
Why not add turkey hand prints to your family traditions?
 
 
Supplies Needed:
 
Paper – size and color are your choice
Markers if you want to trace your hand print
Finger paint or ink pads if you want to stamp your hand print
Crayons or markers to add  a turkey beak, feet, wattle etc.
 
Directions:
 
Trace or imprint your hand print onto a piece of paper with your fingers spread out  wide.  The fingers become the turkey’s feathers.  Your thumb is the turkey neck and head.  Use a thumb print for the turkey wattle.  Or, use markers/crayons to add the feet, eye, wattle, feather colors, etc. 
 
 
 
Variations to try:
 

Thumbprint Turkey

 
 
Thumbprint turkeys . . . Cute Kids craft! Would be cute place cards
 
http://thecharmedmom.com/2010/11/thanksgiving-craft-fingerprint-turkey-cards.html                                         
               

Hand/Foot Print Turkey

 
 
 
 
Note: 
 
Turkeys should be allowed to be any color, depending on your child’s preference. 
In reality, they DO show a rainbow of colors in the wild when sunlight hits their feathers! 
 
When my oldest son was in kindergarten, the teacher refused to hang up his turkey because he colored it “wrong”.  He had made a beautiful purple turkey with green legs.  His self esteem took a big hit that day, when he was not included with the rest of his class.  So, no matter what color your child interprets their turkey to be, hang it up with pride and joy.  Let their creativity be expressed in any form they wish to take.  Let them think “out of the box” and enjoy the fruits of their efforts!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *