Thanksgiving Kid's Crafts

thanksgiving kid’s crafts

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Cornhusk Dolls Children can Make for Thanksgiving Kid's Crafts

Cornhusk dolls were originally made by American Indians who then taught pilgrim children to make these, probably at the very first Thanksgiving. This craft is fun any time of the year, but it makes a perfect Thanksgiving craft. Children in grade 3 and up may be able to make these on their own; younger children will enjoy the craft, but they will need some help.

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Ask your local children's librarian for age appropriate books that depict these cornhusk dolls either in stories or non-fiction. A quick search in Google Images for "corn husk dolls" will give you some visuals. As you will see the clothing can be quite authentic looking and very detailed, or it can be simple enough that a young child can put together an ensemble. For your Thanksgiving cornhusk dolls, you may want to dress the doll in American Indian or pilgrim fashion.

Supplies

Corn husks: Nine to 12 pieces of green husks. These will dry after the doll is created and are much easier to work with when green. Collect them from your own corn or purchase at a craft store.

Corn silk: This is optional, but it does make nice hair.

Bowl of water.

Twine (or string).

Glue.

Scissors.

Decorative Items: These can be glued to the doll to depict clothing or you can purchase doll clothing from a craft store. Seeds and other natural items can be used to create facial features, or these can be drawn.

Directions

Bunch together a handful of cornhusks. Adjust them in your hand so that they are of equal length. Hold securely and tie with the twine (or string) about a 1/2 inch below the top. When tying, wrap the twine around a couple of times and make a good knot. Now, you have the body of the doll. Set aside.
For the doll's head, roll together two or three small pieces of cornhusks. If the husks are too stiff, soak in a bowl of water for about 30 minutes and then form the ball.
Drape a single piece of husk over the head you just molded, gathering the two ends at the base of the head. Pull the ends tightly down so that the parts covering the front and back of the head are smooth (This will make it easier to add the facial features). Twist the loose ends once and secure with a piece of twine. Set aside.
Creating the arms is a bit tricky, but it's easier than it sounds. Pick up the tied bunch of cornhusks. From the bottom, pull up a cornhusk as if you were peeling a banana. Pull it up to where the arms would be, a little bit above the middle of the bunch. Then tie it off. You can create a wrist on the arm by tying a piece of twine towards the bottom of the arm. Then repeat these steps on the other side of the doll.
Now it's time to position the head. Hold the head on top of the doll so that the two loose ends of cornhusks at the bottom of the head drape over the front and back of the doll's neck. Then tie a piece of twine around the flaps to secure the head. If it won't stay put, use some glue to adhere and allow drying.
For the doll's waist, tie a piece of twine around the body where the waist would be. Pull tightly and knot.
To make the legs, split the bunch of cornhusks in half just below the waist, so you have two even bunches below the waist. Tie each bunch off so that they stay separated. This will probably take a few pieces of twine.
For the feet, tie twine near the bottom of each leg.
Now it's time to add the face, clothing and any other decorations you want to have on your doll.

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Here are a few ideas:

Facial features can be drawn with felt tip markers or crayons, or they can be created with items like seeds, craft eyes, yarn (shaped into a smile, for example), etc.

Clothing and headdresses or pilgrim hats can be made with paper (like paper doll clothes) or other items such as fabric or additional cornhusks that have been dyed or painted with watercolors and then glued to the doll. Beaded necklaces and feather headdresses could be made with real beads and feathers or paper. Shoes can be painted on the feet or crafted.

Hair can be crafted with corn silk, twine or yarn.

10. To display your cornhusk doll, insert a pipe cleaner to help it stand up and make it easier to bend into the position you want.

Once you've made one of these cornhusk dolls, you will find they get much easier to craft, and you will probably come up with more ideas of how to decorate. Happy Thanksgiving!

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