Florence Nightingale & Mary Seacole peg dolls
A screen-free story-led craft project inspired by two remarkable women in history
What if a child could discover history not only by hearing about it, but by making it with their own hands?
This thoughtful, hands-on craft project introduces younger children to Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole through storytelling, creative making and gentle historical exploration. Working entirely away from screens, children design and create their own peg doll dressed in a Victorian nurse’s uniform, while learning about the lives, care, courage and achievements of these two extraordinary women.
Through cutting, folding, drawing, arranging and gluing, children engage with history in a way that feels personal, memorable and age-appropriate. Along the way, they build fine motor skills, strengthen focus and patience and begin to understand how clothing, work, place and purpose can tell us stories about people from the past.
5 to 8 years old
90 min. 2 sessions
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
People in History
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Care & Service
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Fashion & Workwear
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Focus & Making
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Story-Led Craft & History Project
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People in History - Care & Service - Fashion & Workwear - Focus & Making - Story-Led Craft & History Project -
Making history feel real
For younger children especially, hands-on making can be one of the most powerful ways to learn.
As children build their peg doll step by step, they begin to notice details they might otherwise miss; clothing, fabrics, practical design, historical roles and the idea that what we wear can reflect what we do. They also begin to understand that history is not only about dates and facts, but about real people, places and acts of service.
The process turns learning into something tactile and imaginative. Instead of history feeling distant, it becomes something children can hold, shape and take home.
Story - led craft & History Project
This project offers younger children a lovely introduction to history through making.
Rather than learning through screens or worksheets, children are invited to listen to the stories of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole in a warm, accessible way, then respond creatively by designing and constructing a peg doll inspired by Victorian nursing dress.
This makes history feel much more alive and understandable. Children begin to see that people from the past were real individuals who made brave, caring and important choices. Through making their own doll, they develop a stronger emotional connection to the story and a much more memorable understanding of what they have learned.
5 to 8 years
90 minutes per session
2
Up to 2 children
In-person, fully screen-free
Age Group:
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WHAT CHILDREN WILL EXPLORE & LEARN
In a world filled with fast entertainment and constant digital stimulation, this project offers something slower, gentler and more grounding.
Children are encouraged to focus, listen, cut, arrange, glue and create with care, enjoying the satisfaction of seeing a meaningful object gradually come together. This calmer pace supports concentration and confidence, while also making the creative process feel soothing and rewarding.
Because the sessions are small and thoughtfully structured, children can feel supported at every stage. That sense of reassurance is especially important for younger children, who often flourish when activities are broken into manageable steps and completed in a warm, encouraging atmosphere.
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Designing and drawing simple dress templates.
Folding templates to explore symmetry and neatness.
Cutting felt and fabric with care and control.
Gluing and assembling accessories with intention.
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Learning about Victorian life and the Crimean War in an age-appropriate way.
Understanding how people’s lives were different (and similar) to our own.
Exploring the roles and responsibilities of nurses in a historic context.
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Locating the Crimea and Istanbul on a map.
Looking at photographs and illustrations of people, clothing and daily life.
Building curiosity about places beyond their own experience.
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Understanding how clothing communicates role and importance.
Exploring workwear, uniforms and practical design features.
Learning vocabulary linked to textiles and clothing (such as felt, wool, collar, cuffs, belt and buckle).
PROJECT ESSENTIALS
Materials Provided
All materials are supplied, including:
- Felt squares, wool and fabric elements.
- Paper doilies and miniature decorative accessories.
- Fabric glue and spreaders.
- Visual references, maps and historical imagery.
Safety & Accessibility
Child-friendly scissors and easy-cut materials are used.
Tasks are broken into small, achievable steps.
Pre-cut elements are provided where needed to ensure success.
Glue is applied with spreaders to minimise mess and sensitivities.
Activities are adapted to support children with SEN or fine motor challenges.
Pricing
1 child: £80 per session.
2 children: £120 per session.
Custom pricing available for schools or whole-class projects.
WHY PARENTS LOVE IT
A screen-free introduction to history through making.
Perfectly pitched for younger children.
Develops focus, patience and fine motor control.
Introduces diversity and balanced historical perspectives.
SMall-group teaching with individual attention.
Children take home meaningful object they’ve made themselves.
Get started today
About the Project Leader
Lucy
Qualified Primary School Teacher (PGCE) with over 30 years of classroom experience.
Extensive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in art education with leading institutions including:
Bow Arts Trust
Tate Modern
The Line
The Visual Arts Foundation
London Gifted & Talented
Designed and delivered whole-school CPD on sculpture, supporting and training class teachers.
Since 2003, has created and led bespoke art workshops for children aged 6–11, thoughtfully tailored to curriculum and enrichment themes including: History and cultural studies, Science and nature, Multi-faith and global stories, PSHE, Maths through creative exploration.
Strong background in fashion, sewing, and upholstery, bringing practical, tactile skills into her sessions.
Led large-scale intergenerational costume-making workshops involving children, parents, and grandparents, with themes such as: Insects, The Lion King, African animals, Arabian Nights, Ancient Egypt.