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How to Make your Own DIY Wooden Peg Doll Nativity Set

This post was originally published December 2019 and updated as of November 2022.

This simple Peg Doll Nativity Set is a beautiful reminder of the real reason we celebrate Christmas, and it will hold up through years of wear and tear!

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How to Make your Own DIY Wooden Peg Doll Nativity Set

Nativities are arguably my favorite decoration to pull out each Christmas. They are a beautiful reminder of the real reason we celebrate Christmas, which is so easily lost in all the hustle and bustle of the season.

Since I have rascally little children at my house, our nativities are limited to those that can live through dropping, throwing, etc. There are few things that hold up to kids better than wood, which is one of the reasons I’ve been wanting to make a peg doll nativity, and I’m so glad I followed through this year!

Keep reading to learn how to make this simple DIY Wooden Peg Doll Nativity Set!

Supplies needed to make your own Peg Doll Nativity Set

Peg doll set
Unfinished wood house
Wood star
Small unfinished wood box
Craft paint
Felt

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How do you make a wooden Peg Doll Nativity Set?

Stable

1. Paint the wood star white. Let dry, then hot glue it to the point on the roof of the house.
2. Cut patterned paper (I used a wood pattern) to fit the back piece on the inside of the house. Use glue or Mod Podge to attach.

Manger

1. Remove the hardware from the wood hinged box, and separate the pieces. You will only need the bottom portion of the box.
2. Fill the holes from the screws, if desired.
3. Fill the box with Easter grass or excelsior.

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Baby Jesus

1. Paint the baby peg doll from the neck-down, using white paint. Let dry.
2. Wrap a small piece of white felt around the baby body, and secure with glue. Trim felt to line up with the bottom of the body.

Mary

1. Using one of the triangular peg dolls, paint from the neck-down, using light blue paint (or color of your choice). Let dry.
2. Paint brown hair on the peg doll head. Let dry.
3. To make the head piece, cut a triangle (about 4 inches wide at the bottom and 2 inches tall) out of white felt.
4. Take the long straight side of the triangle and position it over the top of the head of the doll. Secure with hot glue on top of the head, and on the body (if needed to keep the felt hanging straight).

Joseph

1. Using one of the straight peg dolls, paint from the neck-down, using brown paint (or color of your choice). Let dry.
2. Paint brown hair and a beard on the peg doll head. Let dry.
3. Tie a piece of baker’s twine around the middle of the body. Secure with glue, if desired.

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Shepherd Option 1

1. Using one of the straight peg dolls, paint from the neck-down, using a neutral color. Let dry.
2. Paint hair and a beard on the peg doll head. Let dry.
3. To make the shoulder cloth, cut a strip of felt (about 5 inches long and 1 inch wide) in a neutral color.
4. Gather the strip long ways, and use hot glue to keep it secure.
5. Use hot glue to attach the felt to the doll body.

Shepherd Option 2

1. Using one of the straight peg dolls, paint from the neck-down, using a neutral color. Let dry.
2. Cut a triangle (about 4 inches wide at the bottom and 2 inches tall) out of neutral-colored felt.
3. Take the long straight side of the triangle and position it over the head of the doll, leaving a little hanging over the face. Secure with hot glue on top of the head, and on the body (if needed to keep the felt hanging straight).
4. Wrap a piece of twine around the head piece, and secure with glue.
5. Cut wood patterned adhesive vinyl into the shape of a hook and attach to the doll body.

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Wise Men

1. Using one of the straight peg dolls, paint from the neck-down, using the color of your choice. Let dry.
2. Paint hair and a beard on the peg doll head. Let dry.
3. To make the crown, cut a strip of gold felt (about 2 inches long and 1/4 inch wide).
4. Glue the strip into a circle, and use hot glue to attach it to the doll head.
5. To make the cape, cut a rectangle of felt (about 2 inches by 3 inches) that corresponds with the paint color on the body.
6. Use hot glue to attach one of the short sides of the rectangle around the top of the body.
7. Repeat to make the remaining wise men.

Angel

1. Using one of the triangular peg dolls, paint from the neck-down, using white paint. Let dry.
2. To make the wings, cut a piece of white felt into the desired shape. Use hot glue to attach to the back of the doll.
3. To make the halo, wrap gold wire in a circle and attach to the peg doll head with hot glue.

Arrange all the pieces together, and you have the sweetest little Nativity that will be so fun to pull out year after year!

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Happy crafting!
xo, Sam

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