Make-a-Matryoshka

Russian nesting dolls are also known as Matryoshka (ma-TRYOSH-ka) figures. It is believed the name came from the Latin word mater, which means mother.

Difficulty: easy

Sets of Matryoshka figures are usually made from wood. They open up at the middle so that each doll can fit inside the other from smallest to largest. The smallest doll is usually a baby and made from a single piece of wood.

Sets of Matryoshka dolls often follow a theme, like the dolls in our collection which are all wearing the same traditional dress.

Other sets can be themed on characters from fairy tales, special celebrations and even animals.

Download the template and decorate your own set of dolls. Each doll could represent you at different ages, your friends, family or dolls of your own design.

You could event make a house for your dolls using a cardboard box.

We have lots of dolls in our collection!

Join the mailing list and get the latest from our Museums direct to your inbox.

Share your thoughts to WIN

We'd love to hear about your experience with our website. Our survey takes less than 10 minutes and entries go in a draw to win a $100 gift voucher at our online store!