Today we are sharing with you different ways to make Worry Dolls with your kids. These worry doll crafts are fun to make and teach a sweet lesson about worry and stress. This big list has our favorite ways how to make worry dolls. These crafts work for kids of all ages at home or in the classroom.
21 Worry Doll Crafts for Kids
Worry dolls are more than little dolls, they have a special cultural meaning and they are also a very fun craft for kids of all ages to make.
What is a Worry Doll?
Guatemalan Worry Dolls, also known as trouble dolls, in Spanish “Muñeca Quitapena”, are handmade little dolls that come from Guatemala.
Traditionally, Guatemalan children tell their worries to the Worry Dolls, then, the dolls are placed under the child’s pillow when they go to bed. By the next morning, the dolls will have taken the child’s worries away.
History of the Worry Doll
But where did this tradition begin? The origin of the Muñeca Quitapena goes back to a local Mayan legend, and it refers to a Mayan princess named Ixmucane. Ixmucane received a very special gift from the sun god which made it possible for her to solve any problem a human could worry about. The worry doll represents the princess and her wisdom. Isn’t that so interesting?
Guatemalan Worry Dolls Crafts & Ideas
Keep reading to find 21 simple ways to make your own worry dolls with different materials and techniques. Let’s get started!
1. Making Worry Dolls
AccessArt shared 3 great ways to make a worry doll, each comes with a different level of complexity. The first version uses pipe cleaners, making it easier for young children. The second version uses lolly sticks, also suitable for small hands, and the third version uses Y-shaped twigs and other fun materials like wool and fabric.
2. How to Make Worry Dolls with Pegs
This tutorial on how to make a large worry doll from Red Ted Art is a great craft for the summer. The materials are simple enough: wooden pegs, colored pens, popsicle sticks, and a little glue.
3. How to Make a Worry Doll
Here’s a step by step tutorial to make your own worry doll with a pipe cleaner or wooden peg. This craft is very therapeutic and suitable for kids of any age to do. From WikiHow.
4. Make Your Own Worry Dolls or Toothpick People
My Little Poppies shared 2 ways to make worry doll craft, one uses pipe cleaners and the second requires wooden clothespins. Both are equally easy and perfect for young children.
5. Free Pattern For DIY Worry Dolls
Here’s a video tutorial and free pattern for making DIY worry dolls. They are simple to make and can be a fun craft for kids with a little bit of adult assistance. You can make them look just like you! From Lia Griffith.
6. Make your Own Worry Dolls or Toothpick People
My Baba shared two ways to make your own worry doll with embroidery thread, the first one can be a little tricky for smaller children, so they also shared an easier version for younger kids. Both are great activities for fine motor skills.
7. Worry Dolls For Children: A Creative Way to Take Worries Away
Follow the step by step tutorial to make these easy worry dolls – they will become your little one’s best friend and help ease the transition back to school. They also shared a fun craft to make a worry monster, so give it a try. From Create and Craft TV (link unavailable).
8. How to Make your own Worry Dolls
If you’re afraid your toddler or preschooler might want to eat the worry doll, then you should make a giant worry doll. Here’s a tutorial from Actually Mummy to make safe worry dolls that are large but still very simple to make.
9. Quick and Easy Worry Doll Craft
This is one of the simplest worry doll crafts, as it requires few materials, very little time – but still, lots of imagination! In a matter of minutes, your little one will be able to make their own set of worry dolls. From Kiddie Matters.
10. Bendy Doll Faerie Family Tutorial
These worry dolls are slightly different – they are bendy, and look like fairies – but will still listen to your worries and take them away! Children of all ages will have so much fun using their creativity to make these fairy worry dolls in different colors. From The Juise.
11. DIY Worry Dolls
Check out this tutorial to make DIY worry dolls with a twist: they are Halloween-inspired! Younger kids may need help getting started and finished, but the rest of the activity will be pretty easy to continue on their own. From Patchwork Cactus.
12. Worry Dolls (Made Of Old Batteries)
Let’s make colorful worry dolls with supplies you’ve already got at home, this time we’re using old alkaline batteries! This craft is suitable for kids 5 years old and older. From Mama is Dreaming.
13. Clothespin Worry Dolls
Homan at Home shared a very simple way to make worry dolls. Kids of all ages can enjoy making these crafts out of clothespins and then placing them under their pillow before bed. We recommend having embroidery floss in many different colors.
14. Clothespin Wrap Dolls
Make these wooden friends for fun family activity as many times as wanted, as they are pretty easy and inexpensive. This tutorial from This Heart of Mine shows how to make worry dolls with only 3 supplies.
15. DIY Worry dolls
Let’s make these worry dolls in any colors your kid likes, and then add pretty embellishments. These dolls are smaller than others, making this craft more suitable for older kids with better finger dexterity, but you can also help your little ones make their own. From Art Bar.
16. Make Your Own Worry Dolls
All you need to make these worry dolls are a simple pipe cleaner – nothing else. These are especially good if you’re looking for a simple 5-minute craft to do with your little one. Plus, it’s a great activity to relax and focus on after a long day. From Play Dr. Hutch.
17. Pipe Cleaner Dolls
These cute pipe cleaner and bead dolls are easy to make. The best thing about this easy tutorial is that these dolls are bendy, making them even more fun to play with for hours and hours. From Mini Mad Things.
18. Worry Doll РMu̱eca Quitapenas
Follow the images to make a wooden worry doll with some colored yarn, pipe cleaners, and clothespins. Then use markers, colored pencils, or paint to add a facial expression, hair, skin tone, shoes, etc. From Gretchen Miller.
19. DIY Mermaid Worry Dolls
Worry dolls can look any way you want them to – that’s why this tutorial on how to make mermaid worry dolls will be a hit with kids of all ages. They are easy to make and use fairly simple supplies that you can pick up at any craft store. From House Wife Eclectic.
20. Newspaper Dolls to Catch Them
If you’ve got some extra newspaper, you can learn how to make worry dolls with a different technique. For this tutorial, you will need newspaper, colorful embroidery thread, and your typical scissors and glue. We recommend this tutorial for older kids and adults. From The New York Times.
21. How To Crochet Your Own Worry Dolls
You can also crochet your own worry dolls! The pattern is fairly easy, especially if you’re already familiar with crochet stitches. There’s a video tutorial too if you’re a more visual person. From Let’s Do Something Crafty.
More Doll Crafts From Kids Activities Blog
- Make and use these princess paper dolls to put on a fun puppet show.
- You can also make some pretty accesories for your paper doll project.
- Need a winter doll? We have some really cute printable paper doll winter clothes cut outs you can download & print too.
- Get some more clothespins and follow this pirate doll pattern to make your own pirates! Arrgh!
- Have you ever wondered what to do with a box? Here’s an idea: transform it into a doll house for your worry dolls!
- How To Fix American Girl Doll Hair: I Had No Idea You Could Do THIS With An American Girl Doll!
Did you like these worry doll crafts? Which one do you want to try first?
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