Russian Nesting Dolls Game

Ready to ignite your elementary art curriculum with engaging, no prep cultural art projects? This Russian nesting dolls drawing will boost student confidence and creativity. Kids will love learning Matryoshka folk art and the symbolism of these stacked dolls. Moreover, they’ll enjoy playing this roll a dice game to design their own.

And, it’ll help time-starved teachers like you create art lesson plans based on the rich history of Russia. 

During this art project, your class will learn about symbolism, folk art, wood turning, and the art of creating Matryoshka Dolls. They’ll learn about Vasily Zvezdochkin, the first Russian nesting dolls wood carver. Students will create a painting of a doll with crayons and markers using the step-by-step guide and PowerPoint.

Plan lessons for students about the art history of Russia in a way that excites them. Finally feel confident in your art curriculum and be organized and prepared to teach art!

What’s Included

Can I be honest with you? Art history can sometimes be boring for kids. There, I said it. Teaching about artists and cultures doesn’t have to be a snoozer, though! 

I’ve designed 3 different ways for students to attempt this Russian nesting dolls art project. All will engage kids to create! Choose which way works best for your classes:

• Roll a dice game to add randomness to your student’s artwork
• “You Pick” idea worksheet for kids to choose their own elements
• Digital spinner wheels, so kids can randomly pick elements and you can integrate technology in the art room
• Printable dice template in case you have no dice
• Nesting doll template, which kids can draw directly on or transfer it to heavy drawing paper
• Step-by-step picture directions to guide students through the art process
• Drawing practice worksheet, for kids who want to sketch out their ideas
• History of nesting dolls handout which explains the symbolism, origin, and tools used to create Matryoshka dolls in Russia
• “Big Ideas” reflection worksheet where students write about their art process 
• Self-assessment worksheet so kids can think about how they performed during the project
• Art grading rubric which assesses expectations, craftsmanship, work habits, creativity, and clean-up
• 8 “I CAN” Statements aligned to the Studio Habits of Mind to use during instruction or post on your bulletin board
• 4 Art exit tickets with quick, thought-provoking prompts
• Art history coloring pages to keep kids inspired by nesting doll history outside of the art room

Ways to Use This Russian Nesting Dolls Art Project

This Russian art history project is flexible and can be used in many ways throughout your art room and beyond. It’s great for maternity or emergency art sub plans, early finisher activities, and even for virtual art class or an after-school art club.

You Will Receive

• 1 Non-Editable Printable PDF (Russian Nesting Dolls Art Project)
• 1 Non-Editable PowerPoint 
• 5 Digital Spinner Videos (downloadable, and links to them on Google Slides and YouTube)
• Paperless Google Drive Digital Resource

Why You’ll Love It

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

This was a fun way for us to add art to our study of Russia. I love the way these lessons are set up–they look very professional…

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We used this activity for a European room transformation station. My students loved being able to learn about Russian Nesting Dolls and then being able to create their own!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a cute activity as we studied Russia! The kids enjoyed learning about Russian nesting dolls.