The Adventures of the Peg Dolls
Wooden dolly peg dolls are one of the most popular traditional homemade toys, going back to Victorian times in Britain — still loved by many and made in the same way. Poor children in 19th century England who couldn't afford magnificent Victorian dolls made humble peg dolls with wooden cloth pegs and scrap fabrics.
We love making peg dolls, but this time we painted the pegs and took them on whole new adventures with fun cardboard animals and vehicles they can ride on!
How to make peg dollies, cardboard animals and vehicles
- Saw the wooden dolly pegs down to about 6–7cm so they stand at a good doll size. Sand the cut end smooth. Parents should do the sawing.
- Paint a face and hair on the round head of the peg using acrylic paints and a fine brush. Let dry completely.
- Paint the body of the peg in clothing colors — add a dress, shirt, trousers, whatever you fancy. Fine details can be added with a marker pen once the paint is dry.
- Print the cardboard animal and vehicle templates. Trace them onto salvaged cardboard and cut out carefully with a craft knife (parents only).
- Cut the slots where marked — they need to match your cardboard thickness exactly so the pieces slot together snugly without glue.
- Let children decorate the cardboard pieces with paint or markers, then slot them together.
- Sit the peg dolls on top of the animals and vehicles and the adventures begin!
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