Fun to make! A collection of simple handmade doll ideas using a variety of materials
Do you all have dolls?
When we were little, we used them for make-believe play, changed their clothes, and some people carried them everywhere—when going out or even when sleeping—and still treasure them to this day.
This time, we’ve gathered ideas for making such dolls by hand.
Many of these dolls can be made from recycled materials like cans and cartons, and most of the supplies can be found at 100-yen shops.
So find a doll you like, make it, and have fun playing with it!
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Fun to make! A collection of easy handmade doll ideas using various materials (21–30)
A rabbit plush made from fleece
Using fleece fabric that looks and feels soft, let’s make a palm-sized stuffed bunny.
The key is how you construct the body: cut the fabric into the shape you want, embroider the facial expression, sew the pieces together, then stuff them with cotton and shape as you go.
The way you stuff it will change the overall roundness and softness, so it’s a good idea to focus on this to create your own unique bunny.
After that, attach parts like the hands, feet, and ears, and finish it so it looks like a bunny, and you’re done.
It can also be fun to change the fabric color and the shapes of the parts to add originality.
Cute paper cup finger puppets
Here’s an idea for making finger puppets using paper cups.
The example shown here is a dog finger puppet, but with a little creativity you can make all kinds of animals.
Once you have a paper cup, cut four vertical slits along the side and remove the excess parts while shaping the dog’s ears and the rings that go around your fingers.
The bottom of the cup will be the face, so draw any expression you like with a pen.
Paper cups come in various colors, so using different colors might expand your range of expression.
Glove rabbit puppet
Make it without any prep! Here’s an idea for a glove bunny puppet.
Do you ever find yourself unsure what to do during small pockets of time, like before a walk or before and after activities? This impromptu puppet idea comes in handy at those times.
All you need is one pair of gloves—nothing else.
There’s no need to cut or paste materials; just fold the gloves and you’re done.
It’s great how easy it is, right? You can also enjoy chatting with the children, saying things like, “The bunny came to visit!” Give it a try.
Food Education Puppet
Carry food to its mouth—munch munch! Here are ideas for a food-education puppet.
Let’s make a food-education puppet that’s great for nutrition activities, too.
If you finish it with a cute bear motif, it’s sure to capture children’s interest! You’ll need felt, thread, adhesive tape, eye and nose parts, a pen, and so on.
The bear’s body is made by layering three pieces of felt, so you can create separate sections for the hand opening and a pocket for inserting food items.
Watching the bear eat deliciously will help children feel the joy of eating.
Ogre puppet made from a paper cup
@hoikushisatomi [Easy to Make] Oni (Demon) Puppet CraftNursery teacher / Childcare worker#100-yen shop DIY#NurseryTeacherDailyLifeSetsubunOni of SetsubunPuppet
♬ Find you in the dark feat. Nenashi – Ovall
The “Oni puppet” made from a paper cup is a unique handmade craft idea that can be enjoyed year-round.
By simply attaching horns and a face designed from origami or construction paper to a paper cup, you can create an oni with lots of expression.
Both the materials and tools are simple, making it appealing for children to work at their own pace.
During the process, imagination is nurtured through experimenting with colors and shapes, and it naturally encourages interaction with caregivers and teachers.
The finished piece is fun to display and is a highly satisfying craft made from familiar materials.
amigurumi puppet
The handmade charm of an “amigurumi puppet” makes it a perfect idea for playtime in nurseries and kindergartens.
Crafted with soft, fluffy yarn, this puppet is gentle to the eye and touch, and it’s a versatile item that can be used for performances and pretend play.
Using basic crochet techniques, you can freely customize it into animals or characters, creating uniquely expressive pieces.
The time and care put into making one bring a special sense of accomplishment when it’s finished.
It has a warmth you won’t find in mass-produced items, spreading smiles in children’s play—a highly recommended handmade puppet.
ghost puppet
The “Ghost Puppet,” made by sewing together white and black felt with a sewing machine, is a handmade puppet idea that can be enjoyed at nurseries and kindergartens.
The ghost’s body is securely stitched by machine, and the eyes and mouth are attached with glue using felt, making it durable and long-lasting—safe for small children to play with.
If you show the sewing machine in action during the process, it will spark children’s curiosity, and the finished puppet will be a hit in pretend play and performances.
It’s a perfect craft for seasonal events like Halloween, and a recommended idea for childcare workers and parents.