The hand turkey is a beloved Thanksgiving tradition for many families. But for those unfamiliar with this popular craft, you may be wondering – what does a hand turkey look like exactly? In this article, we’ll provide a complete guide to the hand turkey including its history, how to make one, and its significance as a cherished Thanksgiving symbol.
A Brief History of the Hand Turkey
While the exact origins of the hand turkey are unclear, it appears to have emerged sometime during the medieval period. The basic concept involves tracing a child’s hand on paper, then transforming that handprint into a colorful turkey through the addition of eyes, a beak, feathers, and other embellishments.
Despite its ancient roots, the hand turkey remains a common Thanksgiving craft today It offers a simple yet enjoyable way for children to express their creativity while also creating a keepsake for parents The enduring popularity of the hand turkey likely stems from its whimsical nature and deep associations with childhood, family, and Thanksgiving traditions.
What Does a Classic Hand Turkey Look Like?
The classic hand turkey begins with a tracing or print of a child’s hand. The fingers are then spread out to form the turkey’s tail feathers. The thumb becomes the turkey’s head. Eyes, a beak, legs, and brightly colored feathers are added to bring the turkey to life.
Key features of a hand turkey include
- Tracing of a child’s handprint with fingers spread out
- Thumb forming the turkey’s head
- Large oval eye, triangle beak, and ruffled feathers drawn on
- Wings, snood, and wattle added for extra detail
- Creative feathers in rainbow colors
- Legs and feet extending from the wrist
- Optional hat, bowtie, or other accessories for embellishment
While the basic construction is straightforward, each child’s hand turkey is unique with its own whimsical details and artistic touches. The variations are what make hand turkeys so cherished.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making a Hand Turkey
Ready to make a hand turkey? Here are the simple steps:
Materials Needed:
- White paper or construction paper
- Washable markers, crayons, or paint
- Glue (optional)
- Googly eyes, feathers, glitter, pom poms, or other embellishments (optional)
Directions:
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Trace your child’s hand on a sheet of paper. Have them spread their fingers wide.
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Draw a line across the wrist to separate the “feathers” from the turkey’s body.
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Use the thumb as the turkey’s head. Draw or glue on googly eyes. Draw a triangle beak.
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Draw or glue on wings and feet emerging from the turkey’s body. Add toes!
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Decorate the feathers vibrantly with markers, crayons, glitter, patterns, or stickers. Get creative!
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Optional: Add accessories like a hat, bowtie, glasses, scarf. Get silly!
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Display your masterpiece proudly or turn it into a Thanksgiving placemat.
That’s it! With just a few simple steps you can create an adorable hand turkey craft. Let the kids take the reins to make each turkey unique.
The Significance and Meaning of the Hand Turkey
Beyond just being a fun craft activity, the hand turkey carries deeper meaning and significance for many families. Here are some of the reasons this craft is so cherished:
Celebrates Childlike Creativity
The process of creating a hand turkey unleashes a child’s unbridled creativity. They get to choose colors, patterns, accessories, and silly details. This freedom promotes artistic expression.
Honors Precious Childhood Moments
The hand turkey preserves a moment in time capturing the child’s age, interests, and unique imagination. It’s a memento parents can treasure.
Fosters Thanksgiving Traditions
Hand turkeys often join the list of Thanksgiving crafts families make each year. The tradition bonds families.
Cultivates Gratitude
Hand turkeys remind us to be thankful for creativity, family, and the blessings in our lives – all central themes of Thanksgiving.
Evokes Nostalgia
For many adults, hand turkeys bring back fond memories of their own childhood Thanksgiving crafts. It’s a nostalgic symbol.
Promotes Family Time
Time spent creating hand turkeys allows for joyful family interactions. The cherished finished product reminds us to prioritize family.
For all these reasons, the humble hand turkey holds deeper meaning than just a simple craft. For parents and children alike, it represents cherished memories, family traditions, and the unique joys of childhood.
Displaying Hand Turkeys with Pride
Once complete, hand turkeys can be proudly displayed in a multitude of ways to highlight your child’s creativity. Here are some ideas:
- Frame the turkey and hang it on the wall for all to admire
- Use it as a Thanksgiving placemat or napkin ring
- String up hand turkeys to create a festive hand turkey garland
- Hang them from the ceiling or a doorway as colorful decorations
- Incorporate them into a Thanksgiving bulletin board or table centerpiece
Hand turkeys can also become cherished keepsakes saved in memory boxes or photo albums to preserve a moment in time. Each unique hand turkey becomes a representation of your child and their creativity.
Bringing Back the Magic of Hand Turkeys Each Year
Even very simple crafts like the hand turkey can hold special significance and create magical memories. If the hand turkey is not already part of your Thanksgiving traditions, consider adding it to the fun this year. Let a new generation of children discover the creativity and magic of crafting their own unique hand turkey. Just watch their faces light up with pride!
Step 3: Eye, Gizzard, and Beak
Step 1: Trace Hand
Hand Turkey Drawing
FAQ
What is a hand turkey?
Are all hand turkeys the same?
All hand turkeys kind of look the same – but they also are all really different. We’ve included some fun ideas below for other craft supplies to add to your project for even more creativity.
How do you make a turkey body?
Trace both your left and right foot. You can create the turkey body out of any color you want, but brown is the most commonly used and will resemble the look of a turkey the most. Trace your hands on six to seven pieces of colorful construction paper. Use whatever colors you like the best, and use a pencil or pen to trace around your fingers.
How do you make a handprint Turkey?
If you’re younger and aren’t sure how to create one, the steps are simple. You can create your turkey by using construction paper or by using finger paint. If you follow the techniques and get creative, you can make a handprint and footprint turkey that you can be proud of. Trace your feet on a piece of construction paper.
How do you draw a turkey wing?
In the middle of the turkey, draw the wing. Feet will be drawn at the bottom of the turkey by drawing two straight lines. At the end of each line, draw three more little lines. Using the green, red, orange, and yellow pencils or crayons, color the each of the fingers a different color. Color the rest of the body of the turkey brown.