Yarn and Clothes Pin Dolls, a Folk Tradition (lesson 2)

Last year at the Barton House, students taught fair visitors how to make corn husk dolls. This year we thought we try something new and make our dolls out of yarn. For centuries, dolls have been crafted by mothers for their children, using a variety of household materials.  In the   days of the early  American  settlements, girls  and  their  mothers crafted dolls of ordinary household materials such as wooden spoons, whittled  clothes-pegs, yarn, buttons, rags, socks and cornhusks.   Later,  fabrics,  felt  and    handkerchiefs became widely available and were used for doll-crafting. 

These  historical  folk  dolls  were  often a little girl's best play-friend.  A child could pretend her folk doll  was carrying on   a  conversation,  crying,  laughing  or  helping  out  with household chores.   

 Students will teach visitors to the fair how to create their own yarn keep sake.

Barton House Learning Objectives:

1. Children will learn how games and toys have changed from the past through today.
   
2. Children will learn about their families’ members’ lives when they were younger.

 History Extension
Sample of how Dolls have changed through history
Share with your child, your favorite childhood memories and keepsakes while growing up.