Feb 6

Feb 6 DIY: Purim clothespin dolls

It’s a Purim costume dress-up party with clothespin dolls

In Hebrew we say, Mishenichnas Adar marbim b'simcha, which translates in English to: As soon as the Hebrew month of Adar starts, we should increase in joy. Wearing costumes for the Jewish holiday Purim is one way to be joyful during Adar! In the United States, many children wear Purim costumes to synagogue, and in Israel, adults wear costumes to work, children wear costumes to school, and friends celebrate together with parties and parades! Anything goes when it comes to dressing up for Purim! You can dress any way you’d like - or as a character from the Purim story - like Queen Esther, Queen Vashti, Mordechai or even the villain Hamen!

This year because of social distancing, Purim celebrations might look a little different - but with a little imagination, you can still celebrate with “friends,” by making Purim clothespin dolls!

Dress the dolls up in fancy one-of-a-kind costumes! Make lots and invite them to a pretend Purim parade - and if you are social distancing with one or two families - you can invite them over to create clothespin dolls with you too!

Making clothespin dolls is a process art activity. There really isn’t a right way to make one, but I think it’s best to have a lot of supplies on hand! Half the fun is exploring all the wonderful materials that you can use to create them!

Here’s some ideas of what we used to make Purim clothespin dolls!

Purim Clothespin Dolls

Here’s some ideas of our favorite crafty materials:

Wood Clothespins
Markers
Fabric scraps
Chenille stems
Yarn
Fabric flowers
Pom poms
Washi tape
Rhinestones
Glue
Scissors

Here’s how to make them:

Gather up some clothespins.

2. Decorate the clothespin with markers and glue on fabric.

3. Cut pieces of yarn to make your doll some hair.

4. If you’d like, add chenille stem arms.

5. Glue on other decorations, like sparkly rhinestones, fabric flowers or pom-poms.

And that’s it! A joyful Purim clothespin doll!

Since there are at least a dozen clothespins in each package, you can make a festive doll collection!

If you’d like, you can make Hamen (Boo!) with a three cornered hat!

The best part - there are even enough clothespins in each package to share with friends!

Are you planning on making clothespin dolls for Purim? What materials do you love to use? For more ways to increase your joy during the month of Adar, we have these other wonderful activities, like DIY Mini Royal Crowns, DIY Groggers (Noisemakers) -and for something delicious - DIY “No Bake” Hamantaschen, and DIY Better-than-best Hamantaschen, bake gluten-free double orange Hamantaschen and pack your kiddo a Purim themed lunchbox! Share with us how you are celebrating Purim in the comments below!

We hope your Purim will be filled with joy and happiness!

~Jennifer