Fun Family Crafts: Peg Doll Family Art Step-By-Step Tutorial

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Displaying your children’s artwork at home is always special, but not every masterpiece finds the perfect spot—especially those made of Cheerios! Finding family crafts everyone enjoys can be tricky, but this peg doll art is a fun, creative project for all ages. Plus, it beautifully blends into your decor while highlighting your little one’s creativity.

Handmade peg doll family craft on a white decorative plaque with 'Our Family' text, featuring four wooden dolls with googly eyes representing parents and children in yellow, pink, gold, and teal colors, displayed on a shelf with floral decor

Family Crafts for All Age Groups

This classic family craft transforms simple wooden peg dolls into a personalized family portrait that becomes an instant keepsake. It’s an ideal DIY project for kids ages 6 and up, though younger kiddos can participate with help from older siblings or parents. This family craft develops fine motor skills while providing hours of fun and a beautiful memento you’ll treasure for years.

Tip: Set up a dedicated craft night for the whole family to create their peg doll versions. Each family member can personalize their own character, making it a true collaborative family craft effort!

Four painted wooden peg dolls representing a family, displayed on a white decorative plaque with the text "PEG DOLL FAMILY Craft" in a stacked layout above and "♥ Our Family ♥" below.

How to Make a Peg Doll Family Plaque

Supplies:

Instructions:

  1. Paint the wooden plaque a solid color of your choice and allow to dry completely.
  2. Paint the heads of the peg dolls in skin-tone colors and the bodies in clothing colors. Let dry thoroughly. Alternatively, you could use scissors to cut construction paper or fabric pieces for clothes. 
  3. With adult supervision, use the hot glue gun to attach googly eyes and yarn hair to each peg doll.
  4. Add smiles or other facial expressions using the Sharpie marker.
  5. Apply a line of Gorilla glue along the back of each peg doll and position them on the plaque.
  6. Personalize your creation by adding a phrase to the bottom using vinyl stickers or paint. Popular options include your family name, “Our Family,” “Love Grows Here,” or “Together.”

Tip: Before gluing the peg dolls to the plaque, arrange them in different positions to find the most visually appealing layout. Consider height differences and spacing for the best overall look!

Gluing painted peg dolls onto a plaque for unique artwork

Why This Family Craft Project Stands Out

My kiddos had so much fun creating this fun craft, I love watching their artistic process unfold. It’s fascinating to see how children view their families through their creative lens. My daughter was quite concerned that we didn’t have the right color yarn to match my hair exactly and worried people might judge her craft because the peg dolls didn’t have arms!

Handmade peg doll family craft on a white decorative plaque with 'Our Family' text, featuring four wooden dolls with googly eyes representing parents and children in yellow, pink, gold, and teal colors, displayed on a shelf with floral decor.

What makes this family craft special is that it’s both a fun way to spend family time and creates a meaningful decoration that finds a perfect home in your living space. Unlike many kids’ crafts that end up hidden away, this project earned a prominent spot on our hutch, where my daughter beams with pride seeing her creation on display.

More Creative Family Craft Ideas to Try

If you enjoyed this peg doll family craft, you might also love these other family-friendly DIY projects:

Handmade peg doll family craft on a white decorative plaque with 'Our Family' text, featuring four wooden dolls with googly eyes representing parents and children in yellow, pink, gold, and teal colors, displayed on a shelf with floral decor.

Gift-Giving Ideas for Family Crafts

This peg doll family plaque makes a wonderful handmade gift for grandparents, aunts, uncles, or anyone who appreciates personalized presents made with love. Consider creating versions for different branches of your family tree! The project kept my daughter occupied for several hours, resulting in a classic craft keepsake that tells a unique family story.

Tip: Take a family photo with everyone positioned similarly to your peg dolls and display it alongside your craft for a fun comparison!

This craft is perfect for kids age 6+. Paint the peg dolls and glue them to a frame for a family portrait made by your little one

FAQs About Peg Doll Family Crafts

What if we don’t have all the fancy craft supplies?

Don’t worry! This family craft is highly adaptable. You can find basic supplies at any dollar store, and you can substitute materials you already have at home. No googly eyes? Draw them on! No yarn? Use colored paper or felt scraps for hair.

Is this family craft suitable for very young children?

While the complete project is best for kids 6 and up, little hands can participate by helping paint the bodies or selecting colors. Just be sure an adult handles the hot glue and assists with placement.

How can we preserve our peg doll family plaque?

To protect your finished family craft, consider applying a clear sealer spray or brush-on varnish. This will help prevent chips and make dusting easier over time.

Can we customize our peg dolls beyond family members?

Absolutely! Create peg doll versions of friends, pets, teachers, or even favorite characters. The possibilities for this family craft are endless!

The joy of family crafts like this peg doll project isn’t just in the finished product—it’s in the teamwork, creativity, and special moments shared while making it. What family craft will you try next?


 

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25 Comments

  1. This is so adorable. I want to make one for everyone I know!
    My kids are now all taller than me so I’d have to get 4 tall pegs and I little one for me! I love the idea of matching the colouring to match the family members. I’ve pinned for now but I would love to actually make this, rather than the pin and don’t make that I normally do!

  2. These are so sweet! I will be making a couple of these for Christmas gifts this year 🙂 Thanks so much for the inspiration xoxo

  3. These are simply adorable! Actually, love the whole entire hutch and wish it lived at my house. 🙂

  4. Ooh, I just love this idea! Definitely going to have to get some peg dolls and give it a try!

  5. Super cute, love them. I hope she makes another family too that she can play with/move around a bit… That would be fun too.

  6. This is such a cute idea! I would love to make this and hang this on a wall or something to represent our family. Thank you for sharing with us at #ThrowbackThursday we hope to see you again this week!

  7. This is such a cute idea! My 7 year old daughter would love this too! I might just have to set her up!

  8. These are adorable. I think my little grand daughter would love to make a family of them. Great idea!

  9. What an adorable idea!! I love it. I am going to have to remember this to do with my five year old on one of her days off from school. And I agree with Kara, your hutch is fantastic!

  10. That is so sweet. Your home has a lovely feel. Cheers from kidcandoodle.com

  11. Thanks for linking up at the Pretty Pintastic Party! We are excited to feature this post in next weekend’s party, so stop by, grab a featured button, and share some more amazing posts!

  12. Lindsey W olfe says:

    My daughter and I – mostly my daughter (4) – made this on our Mommy/Abby day last Friday. I wish I could add a picture to my comment. We simplified it a bit, but I love it. And more importantly – Abby LOVED it! She was so proud of herself and we had a blast!

    1. Thats so nice to hear. If you snap a pic, swing by Facebook, I’d love to see how she did! Thanks for leaving a comment

  13. Cindy deRosier says:

    I’m the Editor of Fun Family Crafts and wanted to let you know that we have featured your adorable peg doll project! You can see it here:

    http://funfamilycrafts.com/peg-doll-family-plaque/

    If you have other kid-friendly craft tutorials, we’d love for you to submit them. If you would like to display a featured button on your site, you can get one from the right side bar of your post above. Thanks for a fantastic project idea!

  14. Gail MacCauley says:

    I love your little painted peg people family do you have other patterns for wooden pegs Love it!!!!!