Corn Husk Dolls

Nina's never been very interested in dolls, but she loved the idea of making her own. The alarming news that Pilgrim kids lived in a world without Toys "R" Us convinced her that learning to make toys of her own might also be an important survival skill.

MATERIALS
• Corn husks (available at craft stores, but we like to use the inner husks of corn we eat for dinner)
• Large bowl of water
• Twine or string
• Scissors
• Construction paper
• Watercolors or markers
• Glue

INSTRUCTIONS
Soak your corn husks in warm water for about an hour until they become pliable. Gather several damp husks and tie them together tightly with twine, about 1/2 inch from one end. To make the head, hold the knotted end in one fist, then fold the husks down (as though you were peeling a banana) so that they cover the knotted end. Smooth out the husks to make a face, then secure them with a piece of twine around the doll's neck. To make the arms, roll up a single husk and tie it off at both ends. Position the arms up between the husks, under the doll's neck. Smooth the husks over the arms to form the chest and back, then cinch in the waist with twine. For a skirt or legs, arrange several husks, inverted (like a skirt that has blown up over the doll's head) around the waist. Secure with twine, then fold the skirt down. For legs, divide the husks into two parts, tying each bunch at the knees and ankles. Nina felt the dolls needed clothes and took it upon herself to make a shirt from a piece of construction paper. Your kids can also use markers and watercolors to give the illusion of clothes or to add on facial features. To make hair, hats or headdresses, glue on little strips of construction paper.