Did you ever order a “Shirley Temple” as a kid? That was my favorite drink at our local Mexican restaurant! It always required some extra stirring, and we had to dig the maraschino cherry out with a stir stick. This would be the perfect drink to serve at a kids’ party, and these stir sticks (inspired by Kokeshi dolls) add another element of fun (and function) to the party décor!

They are easy to make if you’re looking for a simple party craft, and they pair well with Shirley Temples, tea, or hot chocolate! It would be easy to paint “boy hair” if you’re planning for mixed company. You could even use them for a little puppet show when the party is over!

• 1” Unfinished wood bead (1/8” hole)
• Wood ball knob 1/8” hole (¾ in)
• 2 Round wood balls (3/8”)
• Apple Barrel Acrylic Craft Paint
(Hair: black, brown or yellow
Face: black, pink
Body: white & color of your choice)
• Various paintbrushes
• Toothpicks
• Wood glue
• 1/8 x 6.5 – 7” wood round dowel

Step 1
Use the end of a toothpick to paint a hair outline on a wood ball knob, then use a paintbrush to fill in the rest of the hair. Paint 1-2 round wood balls the same color as the hair to use as ponytails, pigtails, or buns. Allow to dry.

Step 2
Paint an unfinished wood bead in the color of your choice, and set aside to dry.

Step 3
Once the wood ball knob is dry, put it on the end of a dowel. Hold it steady while painting black eyes and a pink mouth on with a toothpick. You can do plain circles for eyes, or curvy slits with eyelashes, or half-circles with lashes, etc. Allow to dry.

Step 4
Use a toothpick and white paint to add a pattern to the wood bead “outfit.” It is easy to paint x’s, small dots, crosses, v’s, etc. Allow to dry.

Step 5
Once the outfit is completely dry, slide the wood bead onto the top of a dowel. Push it down until it no longer moves, but make sure that the dowel is below or level with the top of the bead. Use wood glue to glue the wood ball knob “head” onto the body. Allow to dry.

Step 6
Glue one or two painted wood balls on the top, sides, or bottom of the head – one at a time. You may have to lay the doll on its side to allow each ponytail to dry. You will also need to hold the ball in place for 30 seconds to a few minutes until it seems secure enough to dry on its own. Allow to dry completely.

Your Kokeshi dolls are ready to stir! Happy crafting!