What do you need?
a wooden pencil box (optional)
7 wooden peg dolls
acrylic paint in many colours
paint brushes
a letter template
The wooden toys from Grimms are beautiful, there is no better, in our opinion. Whether or not you are a convinced supporter of the Anthroposophical Doctrine, every child should be able to play and learn with such beautiful wooden toys.
Unfortunately, Grimms toys are not obtainable for everyone, because they are expensive to purchase. Understandable, because only certified wood and child-friendly paints are used. The Grimms toys are made in Germany with the help of people with disabilities. Of course, it cannot be more beautiful and that it costs money is also very logical. But you have to have that money.
In order to be able to pass on the learning while playing way to your child, you can also get to work yourself. First we made our Rainbow Friends, for our youngest. Toddlers learn the colors of the rainbow and the days of the week at the same time. Be inspired by Grimms but make your own Raninbow Friends. Super fun and affordable, if you already have some craft supplies.
How to make rainbow dolls
Lightly sand the box.
Paint the lid.
Paint the lid all around.
Allow the paint to dry well.
Paint the lid once more if necesarry, do not let the paint just dry, allow it to harden overnigt befor you continue.
Paint the text on the lid.
Use a template for a neat letter.
Tape the heads of the dolls.
We always paint the colours in the order that is taught in kindergarten, in the same order as the colours of the rainbow: red; orange; yellow; green; blue; violet; brown
We only used two colours of purple instead of two blues, we like it better ;)
Paint the doll in the same colour.
Repeat it with the other colours.
Allow the dolls to dry well.
Paint the days on the dolls.
Paint the heads in various colours.
Paint hair and faces on the dolls.
Allow all to dry overnight again.
! Acrylic paint is water-based and therefore child-friendly, but the dolls are also painted with a clear, matte varnish so that the paint remains beautiful for a long time. Turpentine based varnish is also not bad for children, as long as you first let it harden properly. That means that you have to wait at least a week before you give the toys to children. Then you can be sure that it won't harm them, even if they put it in their mouth.
Varnish the dolls and the box on the in- and outside.
A job well done!
Our cheerful friends box does not stay half empty, we are planning to make a lot of friends. Like 10 number friends with later on five numerical friends. But next time first the 4 seasons friends, nice!