World Culture Tour: Russia part 7 - Matryoshka Dolls

Matryoshka Dolls are also known as Russian nesting dolls, the ones where the a succession of smaller wooden "dolls" inside the bigger dolls. "Matryoshka" means "little matron", so the nesting dolls usually start with a Russian lady painted on the outside doll. The smaller ones inside the first doll can be either gender with the smallest doll typically being a baby.

The dolls were first made as children's toys in 1890 by wood carver Vasily Zvyozdochkin and painter Sergey Malyutin,

A craft version of the dolls is simple enough to make.

1. Start with cups.

2. Cut a dress and bonnet out of separate colorful paper. We used wrapping paper.

3. Then, using construction paper, cut out a round head and draw in a face.

4. Use a glue stick to affix the dress to the cup.

5. Add the bonnet on top of the dress.

6. Finally, add the face over top of the bonnet.

While they don't get smaller, the cup Matryoshka dolls stack very well!

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