Traditional Handprint Turkeys

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.

It’s that time of year again to pull 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?

Below seven people comprising four generations enjoy making handprint turkeys
 as an after dinner family activity.
Each person traces their hand, colors in the feathers then adds what they are thankful for somewhere on the paper. 
They sign and date their creation and it is added to the photo album.

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

Hand/Foot Print Turkey

http://www.squidoo.com/Thanksgiving-Kids-Crafts

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!

This Blog Post is inspired from the book: