Activities


Apple Head Dolls



Have you ever bitten into a sour apple and made a funny face? These directions will show you how to make apple head dolls that will have these same funny faces. With a little peeling, carving, and IMAGINATION, you will can make silly apple head puppets just like kids did in 1901.

Materials Needed:
  • 1 cup Lemon Juice
  • 1 Tablespoon Salt
  • Fresh Apples, medium to large size
  • Whole Cloves (good for eyes, teeth and facial expressions)
  • Popcicle Stick or Pencil or skewer
  • Squares of Fabric (about 8 inch square)


Directions:
  • Peel the apples. Trim away bruises.
  • Mix lemon juice and salt to make a mixture.
  • Place peeled apple into mixture of salt and lemon juice (this will preserve them)
  • After a few minutes, remove apple from mixture and pat dry.
  • Insert a wooden stick, pencil, or skewer firmly into the core for a "handle".
  • Carve faces using a spoon or table knife. BE CAREFUL! You may need help.
  • Remember that the apples will shrink to less than one-half their original size. So the features should be a bit exaggerated when carving.
  • Add cloves as eyes, teeth, ears, etc.
  • Insert the handle with head attached into a pot of sand or a block of styrofoam.


Allow the apple heads to dry for several days. The apples will remain a bit soft even when they are completely dry. If you live in a humid climate, you can dry apple heads in an oven. Oven should be heated to 200 degress, and the oven door should be left slightly open. This method should take only about 4 - 5 hours. Then leave them to dry in the open air for a short time.

After drying, tie or glue fabric and other decorations to the handle to create a doll or hand puppet. HAVE FUN!

More directions with step by step pictures.

Do you want to see Ashton's Apple Head Doll?





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