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Spark your kid’s creativity with this easy Guatemalan quetzal craft! It is a great way to celebrate Guatemala’s independence day or as a classroom project for Hispanic Heritage Month. The quetzal is Guatemala’s national bird. It symbolizes liberty and is part of the Guatemalan coat of arms. For us, it’s vital to celebrate the Día de La Independencia and keep our Latino culture alive. So, get your craft table ready for a super easy Guatemalan quetzal bird craft the little ones can enjoy!
Reconnecting to Our Guatemalan Roots
Even though Sebastian was only three months old and Ariane was 2 when we left, Guatemala is still very important to us. We enjoy sharing traditions and memories of Guatemala with them. However, I have to admit that Paula is the one more passionate about keeping that connection to Guatemala alive.
Guatemala’s Independence Day is the perfect excuse to connect to our Latino roots. And what better way to do that than with a fun Guatemalan Quetzal! You’ll only need simple materials you might have at home (or easily buy at the craft store). And it makes for a colorful Guatemalan-themed decoration perfect for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Fun Facts About Guatemala’s Independence Day
Guatemala’s Independence Day, celebrated on September 15th, marks the country’s freedom from Spanish rule in 1821. The day is filled with parades, concerts, and cultural events, with celebrations varying across different regions of the country. In the capital, Guatemala City, people enjoy traditional dances, music, and the raising of the national flag. The Quetzal bird, the national symbol, is featured in many festivities, symbolizing the country’s freedom. This holiday is a time for Guatemalans to honor their history and come together in a display of national pride.
What Is a Quetzal?
The quetzal is a striking bird that lives in the mountain regions and tropical forests of Central America. Many consider it among the world’s most beautiful birds, with its vibrant green plumage, deep red chest, and long tail feathers. The quetzal is Guatemala’s national bird, considered a symbol of freedom and light. You can find its image embedded in countless places, like the Guatemalan coat of arms, the National flag, and even in the currency.
Why the Quetzal is a Symbol of Freedom in Guatemala
The Quetzal, known for its vibrant colors and long tail feathers, is more than just a beautiful bird—it’s a powerful symbol of freedom in Guatemala. The Mayans believed that the Quetzal could not live in captivity, making it a representation of liberty and independence. Its image is found on Guatemala’s coat of arms and currency, emphasizing its significance. During Guatemala’s struggle for independence, the Quetzal became a national symbol, representing the country’s fight for freedom. Today, it remains a beloved icon of Guatemala’s cultural identity and independence.
How to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Guatemalan Traditions
Incorporating Guatemalan crafts, like the quetzal bird, is a great way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Teachers and parents can use these activities to teach kids about Guatemala’s culture while highlighting its importance during this special month. Other activities might include making Guatemalan worry dolls, creating colorful alfombras, or learning about traditional Guatemalan foods. These crafts and traditions allow children to explore Guatemala’s rich history while engaging in meaningful celebrations. This not only makes the month more festive but also promotes a deeper understanding of Latin American heritage.
Teaching Kids About Guatemala’s Culture Through Crafts
Engaging children in Guatemalan crafts is a fun way to teach them about their heritage. Creative activities, like making a quetzal bird craft, help kids connect with their roots and learn about important cultural symbols. These hands-on projects make it easier for children to understand the significance of Guatemalan traditions and feel pride in their cultural identity. By incorporating crafts into learning, parents and educators can make cultural education both fun and meaningful. This approach ensures that the next generation values and celebrates their unique heritage.
An Easy Guatemalan Quetzal Craft For Kids
Now that Sebastian is older, he loves making crafts. It is something we have in common. So I thought we could do something fun to celebrate Guatemala’s independence day. And for some reason, my little guy has been saving toilet paper tubes for months.
September 15th is Independence Day in Guatemala and is just around the corner. It is the perfect opportunity to finally make something with those paper tubes! So I decided to make an easy quetzal craft perfect for those little hands.
Materials For Guatemalan Quetzal Craft
- One piece of yellow foamy
- Twine
- One toilet paper tube
- Two sheets of green tissue paper
- One sheet of red tissue paper
- Two googly eyes
- Scissors
- A stapler
- Tape and glue
- Wooden dowel
How to Make a Guatemalan Quetzal Bird Craft
- Roll a small rectangle of yellow foamy into a cone. Secure it with staples, leaving a small hole at the point of the cone.
- Cut a 12″ piece of twine and pass it through the hole. Make a knot on one end to secure.
- Pass the yellow cone throughout the toilet paper tube to come out on the other end. Secure everything to the tube with a couple of staples.
- Take green tissue paper and fold lengthwise to about 1 inch deep. Cut into 1 1/2 inch rectangles.
- To make the fringe, cut about four slits into the open end of each rectangle, leaving about 1/4″ at the top.
- Create a fringe at least 3 or 4 inches long using a larger piece of green tissue paper. It will make the tail of the quetzal.
- Begin wrapping the tube, starting with the tail fringe at the bottom of the tube. Then, work your way up to the top. Use tape or glue to secure the trim. Finally, ensure the last piece of fringe covers the edge of the tube where the beak comes out.
- Using the red tissue paper, cut a small rectangle into fringes. Glue it in the front of the tube to make the red chest of the quetzal.
- Cut two 2″ by 6″ rectangles of green tissue paper to make the wings. Fold it in half and press the sides of the folded edge into the center.
- Glue the wings to the top of the tube.
- Put googly eyes on the head just below the beak and above the wings.
- Tie the other end of the twine to the top of a wooden dowel.
My little guy had so much fun with this craft! He could do most of it himself with minimal help from us. The wooden dowel and string let him play around with this fun Guatemalan quetzal bird. He enjoyed how it moved as if it were flying.
Check out other crafts and activity ideas for celebrating Guatemalan independence here.
We usually make some of our favorite traditional Guatemalan food to celebrate Guatemala’s independence day. Here are some Guatemalan recipes that you can try:
Traditional Guatemalan Recipes
If you crave traditional Guatemalan foods, add these delicious recipes to your menu. They are the perfect touch for a Día de La Independencia party or as a show-and-tell recipe for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Enchiladas are one of the most popular Guatemalan foods. They are a mixture of vegetables and ground meat piled high onto a crunchy tortilla.
If you want to learn how to make traditional Guatemalan food, these Guatemalan tamales recipes are definitely for you! From the savory tamales rojos to the sweet taste of tamalitos de elote, you will find these Guatemalan recipes simply divine.
This easy and healthy recipe for Pollo en Jocón is a heartwarming tomatillo and cilantro chicken stew. It is a traditional Guatemalan dish, the ultimate cold-weather comfort food.
One of Guatemala’s more staple dishes, Tostadas, are deep-fried corn tortillas with different toppings to create delicious concoctions full of flavors. You typically spread Guatemalan tostadas with recado salsa (tomato sauce), refried black beans, and guacamole, topped with onion slices and cheese.
Shucos is a Guatemalan-inspired hot dog, but unique ingredients and flavors make them different from any traditional American hot dog. It has delicious toppings like guacamole, repollo (sauerkraut-style cabbage), and meats (sausages and chorizo are the most common). Pile everything, including condiments like mayo, ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, chimichurri sauce, or anything else you like!
Buñuelos Guatemaltecos are the quintessential Guatemalan comfort food for cold weather. A fritter-like ball of dough soaked in a rich syrup, buñuelos dulces (or bunuelos) is a popular Guatemalan food commonly sold by street vendors, at state fairs, and during the holidays.
Empanada de Manjar is a traditional Guatemalan dessert, crusty on the outside and creamy on the inside! They are usually eaten during Lent and many Guatemalan holidays.
If you have a craving for something sweet, then Guatemalan torrejas should be at the top of the list. Torrejas are sweet bread or brioche soaked in a milk or eggs mixture before being fried in oil. Then, you bathe them in a sweet syrup made from boiling water and spices into a golden brown sauce.
Quetzal Craft for Kids to Celebrate Guatemala's Independence
A beautiful Guatemalan craft perfect for Independence day or Hispanic Heritage Month
Materials
- One piece of yellow foamy
- Twine
- One toilet paper tube
- Two sheets of green tissue paper
- One sheet of red tissue paper
- Two googly eyes
- Wooden dowel
Tools
- Scissors
- Stapler
- Tape and glue
Instructions
- Roll a small rectangle of yellow foamy into a cone. Secure it with staples, leaving a small hole at the point of the cone.
- Cut a 12" piece of twine and pass it through the hole. Make a knot on one end to secure.
- Pass the yellow cone throughout the toilet paper tube to come out on the other end. Secure everything to the tube with a couple of staples.
- Take green tissue paper and fold lengthwise to about 1 inch deep. Cut into 1 1/2 inch rectangles.
- To make the fringe, cut about four slits into the open end of each rectangle, leaving about 1/4″ at the top.
- Using a larger piece of green tissue paper, create a fringe at least 3 or 4 inches long. It will make the tail of the quetzal.
- Begin wrapping the tube, starting with the tail fringe at the bottom of the tube. Work your way up to the top. Use tape or glue to secure the trim. Ensure the last piece of fringe covers the edge of the tube where the beak comes out.
- Using the red tissue paper, cut a small rectangle into fringes. Glue it in the front of the tube to make the red chest of the quetzal.
- To make the wings, cut two 2" by 6" rectangles of green tissue paper. Fold it in half and press the sides of the folded edge into the center.
- Glue the wings to the top of the tube.
- Put googly eyes on the head just below the beak and above the wings.
- Tie the other end of the twine to the top of a wooden dowel.
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Que lindura de manualidad me encanto y tan sencillo nada como hacer manualidades con los ninos para educarlos acerca de nuestras tradiciones, saludos!
Que linda idea para celebrar la independencia, quedó precioso el quetzal!
I love this DIY!! great way to spend time with kids and teach them about our and other cultures!
Viva mi Guate querida!
Hola, nos encanto tu idea para hacer una manualidad para el día de la independencia, nos gustaria publicarla en nuestra pagina de facebook con tu referencia para que tengas más seguidores.
que te parece la idea?!
Encuentranos como productostucan en facebook 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/ProductosTucan?ref=ts&fref=ts