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.......................................................3 Old Fashioned Dolls
From Superkids by Jean Marzollo - Illustrations by Irene Trivas

Many of the activities on these pages may require adult supervision.
Be sure to tell a grown-up about what you're planning and ask for permission before getting started.

 

old fashioned dolls

 

Yarn Doll

1. Wrap some old yarn around and around a shoebox. Slip the yarn off the box and lay it carefully on a flat surface. This will be the doll's body. 2. Now wrap some more yarn around a smaller box, say a Cracker Jack box. Slip this yarn off and lay it on the table too. This skein will be the arms. 3. Tie yarn around the large skein of yarn to make a neck. 4. Open the skein beneath the neck and slip the arms through. 5. Tie another piece of yarn beneath the arms to make a waist. 6. Tie yarn near the ends of the arms to make wrists. 7. Split the bottom skein in two to make two legs. Tie yarn near the ends of the legs to make ankles. 8. Sew buttons to the face for eyes and a mouth.

yarn dolls

 

Corn-husk Doll

Next time you have corn-on-the-cob, save and dry the corn husks. Soak them in water for five minutes before you start the doll.

1. Cut one husk into a 1/4-inch strip. Roll it up into a 3/4-inch ball and pin it closed with a straight pin. This will be the head. 2. Make another, slightly larger ball for the chest. 3. Drape the head with a husk, removing the pin, and tie around the neck with string or a twist tie. 4. Roll a husk lengthwise around a pipe cleaner. This will be the arms. Tie it at each end where the wrists go. Insert the arms and chest ball beneath the neck. Tie the waist tight. 5. Tie many husks around the waist with a new string (belt) to make a skirt. Cut the husks off above the belt. Draw face with a marker.

 

corn husk dolls

 

 

Apple Doll
apple dolls

1. Peel an apple and then carve one side of it into a face. Do not get too fancy. Deep, basic cuts are all you need. Make cuts for eyeholes and mouth. Carve away cheek areas so a nose appears. Carve away a forehead area so eyebrows appear. Stick a pencil up into the middle of the apple, underneath the face. Put the other end of the pencil into a bottle, letting the apple rest on top. Paint clothes on the bottle. 2. Set the bottle on a counter where the apple can dry for a month. Watch the apple face as it slowly withers and turns into the face of an old person.

 

 

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Based on the book SUPERKIDS: Creative Learning Activities for Children 5-15
Text © Jean Marzollo, Illustrations © Irene Trivas

 
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