Guatemalan Worry Dolls Craft for Kids

This post is also available in: Español

This Guatemalan worry dolls craft for kids is a fun and meaningful activity that introduces children to the rich cultural traditions of Guatemala. This simple craft uses pipe cleaners and colorful yarn to create Guatemalan worry dolls or “quitapenas”. Learning how to make Guatemalan worry dolls not only sparks creativity but also provides an opportunity to explore the customs and folklore of Guatemala. This makes it an ideal Hispanic Heritage Month activity and a wonderful Guatemalan craft for kids to learn about.

Growing Up With Worry Dolls

When I was growing up in Guatemala, I was fascinated by the legend of the worry dolls. Worry dolls, or “muñecas quitapenas,” are tiny handmade dolls that are part of a traditional Guatemalan craft. As a child, I often shared my worries with these little dolls, hoping they would take them away as I slept. After moving to the U.S., I loved sharing this piece of my culture with others. I travel to Guatemala and would always get “quitapenas” that I bought at the market there and would gifted worry dolls to my kids’ teachers and friends, which felt like giving them a small piece of my heritage. When my children and I began making worry dolls together, the experience became even more special. Now, we make about ten or twelve worry dolls, place them in colorful Guatemalan coin purses or small muslin drawstring bags, and include a printed version of the legend and instructions on how to use worry dolls. These handmade worry dolls make our gifts more meaningful and are a wonderful way to connect with our cultural roots.

What Are Guatemalan Worry Dolls?

Guatemalan worry dolls are small, colorful dolls that originated in the highlands of Guatemala. Traditionally, these dolls are made from wire, small pieces of wood, and scraps of textile, dressed in vibrant, traditional Mayan clothing. Worry dolls are given to children to help them manage their fears and anxieties. The tradition involves telling your worries to the dolls before bedtime and placing them under your pillow. According to the legend, the dolls take on the worries, allowing the child to sleep peacefully and wake up feeling relieved.

In Guatemala there are many traditional ways of making worry dolls. Tiny worry dolls are made wrapping thread and pieces of traditional textiles onto a cardboard doll. Other versions of worry dolls are larger and the tolls are made of cloth and dressed with traditional skirts or cortes and headpieces.

The Mayan Legend of Guatemalan Worry Dolls

The legend behind Guatemalan worry dolls is deeply rooted in Mayan culture and spirituality. It is said that a Mayan princess named Ixmucane received a special gift from the Sun God, granting her the ability to solve any problem a human might worry about. In honor of this gift, people began making small dolls as representations of Ixmucane to help relieve worries and troubles. These dolls have been passed down through generations and continue to be a beloved tradition in Guatemala today. Here’s the exact wording of the legend you can print when gifting your worry dolls:

“According to Mayan tradition, the Sun God gave a special gift to the Mayan princess Ixmucané. This gift allowed her to solve any human problem. Since then, people have been making little dolls in her honor, called “muñecas quitapenas” or worry dolls. Before going to sleep, tell your worries to the dolls, place them under your pillow, and in the morning, they will have taken away your worries.”

The Cultural Significance of Worry Dolls

Worry dolls hold cultural significance in Guatemala as symbols of comfort and care. They are not just toys but are also used as tools for emotional support. The act of telling one’s worries to the dolls can be therapeutic, providing a traditional way to teach children about expressing their feelings. The vibrant colors and detailed craftsmanship of each doll reflect the rich cultural heritage of Guatemala. In Guatemala, these dolls are often sold in markets in hand-painted wooden boxes or traditional textile drawstring bags. When we make worry dolls, we love to gift them in Guatemalan coin purses, which can be found on Amazon, or in small muslin drawstring bags, including about 10-12 worry dolls along with the printed legend. This makes them even more special and unique.

How to Use Worry Dolls

Worry dolls, also known as “muñecas quitapenas,” are small figurines that serve a special purpose, as their name suggests. According to Mayan beliefs, if someone has trouble sleeping because of worries or nightmares, these little dolls can help ease those concerns and bring peace to their sleep. Originally, worry dolls were made to help children overcome nighttime anxieties, but today they are also popular among adults who seek comfort from their worries.

To use worry dolls, it is suggested to have a quiet moment with them before going to bed. During this time, share your problems, worries, or fears with the dolls, as if you are talking to a trusted friend. Then, tell the dolls that you want to feel better and happy. You can even give them a small kiss as a gesture of thanks, then place them under your pillow before you sleep. The idea is that, as you rest, the worry dolls will work on taking away your worries so that you can wake up feeling calm and refreshed.

Worry dolls usually come in sets of 5 or 6 and are kept in small bags or decorated boxes. It is recommended to rotate which dolls you use each night to give them a break and prevent them from getting overloaded with worries. In the morning, it can be nice to hold the dolls gently, as if thanking them for helping you with your worries and ensuring they are not affected by what they have taken on.

Using Worry Dolls To Teach Kids to Manage Anxiety

Worry dolls aren’t just a cultural tradition; they also offer some psychological benefits. By sharing your worries with these dolls, it can help both kids and adults manage anxiety and promote better sleep. Talking to the dolls about your troubles can make it easier to let go of worries and relax, knowing that the dolls are there to help. We have done this with my kids and it has really helped them first to be aware of the things they are worried about and then because they are giving their worries to the dolls it makes it easier for them to let those worries go.

This tradition has even been featured in children’s books, such as “Silly Billy” by Anthony Browne. In the story, a boy named Billy learns to deal with his worries thanks to a set of worry dolls his grandmother gives him. The book has introduced many families around the world to the comforting practice of using worry dolls, showing how they can be a helpful tool for managing stress and anxiety.

A Great Craft for Hispanic Heritage Month

This Guatemalan worry doll craft excellent activity for Hispanic Heritage Month. It allows kids to explore the traditions and folklore of Guatemala while engaging in a hands-on project. This craft can be done in classrooms or at homeproviding. It’s a meaningful way to celebrate Hispanic culture. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to discuss the importance of expressing emotions and how different cultures approach mental health and well-being. Making worry dolls is a wonderful way for kids to connect with Guatemalan traditions. It’s also a great conversation starter for learning about the importance of storytelling and folklore.

How to Make Guatemalan Worry Dolls

Making Guatemalan worry dolls is a fun and easy craft for kids that requires only a few materials. This project can be a delightful classroom activity, a homeschool project, or a fun craft to do at home with family. Here’s what you’ll need and how to make your very own Guatemalan worry dolls:

Materials Needed for Your Guatemalan Worry Doll Craft:

Instructions for Making Guatemalan Worry Dolls:

Create the Body: Start by folding a pipe cleaner in half to create the body. Twist it around your finger to form the head, and then bend the ends to form arms. Continue twisting the pipe cleaner to create the torso and legs.

Wrap the Body: Cut a piece of yarn and tie it to the top of the doll’s head. Start wrapping the yarn around the head, moving down to cover the arms, torso, and legs. You can use different colors for different sections to make the dolls more vibrant and colorful.
Make the Hair: Use another piece of yarn to create hair for the doll. Tie it around the top of the head and cut it to your desired length. You can use multiple colors to create fun hairstyles!
Finish the Doll: Once you’ve wrapped the body and added hair, trim any excess yarn. Use the marker to draw the eyes and mouth.
Package the Dolls: Place 10-12 worry dolls in a small muslin or organza drawstring bag or a Guatemalan coin purse. Print out the legend of the worry dolls and include it in the bag.

By making this Guatemalan worry doll craft, children can learn about the significance of this craft in Guatemalan culture. This is also a fun craft that lets them express their creativity. When we first made these worry dolls I talked to my kids about this Mayan legend. We also read the Silly Billy book. Because my kids are bilingual and we are always encouraging them to read children’s books in Spanish we read the Spanish version of this book called Ramón Preocupón. It’s a wonderful way to share a piece of Guatemala with others and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month meaningfully.

More Ideas for Learning About Guatemalan Culture

Making a Guatemalan worry doll craft is just one way to explore the rich cultural heritage of Guatemala. Here are a few more ideas to continue learning about Guatemalan culture with kids:

Read Books About Guatemala: There are many children’s books that explore Guatemalan folklore, culture, and history, such as “Abuela’s Weave” by Omar S. Castañeda. You can also check out my article about the best Guatemalan books for kids that includes everything from Guatemalan books for toddlers to classic Guatemalan literature for older teens and young adults.
Explore Traditional Guatemalan Crafts: Try making other crafts, like Mayan-inspired jewelry or weaving simple textiles. You can also make. a Guatemalan quetzal craft using toilet paper rolls. Another great Guatemalan craft is my Guatemalan sawdust carpet craft. Find more ideas on my article about Guatemalan crafts and activities for kids.
Cook Guatemalan Food: Cooking traditional Guatemalan recipes, like Guatemalan tamales or pepian, can be a delicious way to explore the country’s culture. You can check out my article about Guatemalan recipes. There you will find a huge list of traditional recipes to choose from. My kids love making Guatemalan desserts and Guatemalan traditional candy. Their favorite recipe is canillitas de leche, a sweet milk and sugar base candy. If you’re looking for a super easy Guatemalan recipe to make check out my recipe for platanitos fritos or fried plantains. You can also make horchata or rosa de Jamaica drinks which are easy and quick to make.

Guatemalan canillitas de leche recipe — Guatemalan canillitas de leche.

By engaging in these activities, children can gain a deeper appreciation of Guatemalan culture. This craft is a great way to learn about the traditions that make it unique. Whether making worry dolls or exploring other crafts, these projects provide meaningful ways to celebrate Hispanic heritage.

Author
Recent Posts

Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz

Paula moved from her native Guatemala to SW Florida with her husband and two children and together they are discovering what it means to live life between two languages.

Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .

When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.

Latest posts by Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz (see all)