Kid's Crafts: Make a Toddler Sized Paper Doll

This is just like those dolls you see in the stores, with the interchangeable clothes, but a full sized version – well, a toddler full size version to be more precise! It’s easy to make, has limitless creative options and is very addictive. Here’s how we did it….

First we took a big cardboard box. I cut down one side and laid it out flat. Then I asked my fidgety three year old to lie down for just a minute (easier said than done!) while I drew around his outline to get the shape for our doll.

Now to work with the scissors…..

I carefully cut around the outline until I had fashioned myself a cardboard cutout boy.

The next step was to set to work on cardboard boy’s wardrobe.

I started with his shoes. I cut open a smaller box I had in my recycle pile and laid it underneath the cardboard boy’s feet. I drew around each foot, then I cut out each one of the cardboard shoes.


Next, I made his shirt… I cut open another box and laid it underneath the cardboard boy’s chest area. Exactly as before, I traced around his chest and arms, then cut out the outline. I repeated this process for shorts, a belt, a hat and gloves until I had a whole set of ready made templates for all of his clothes.


Once they were all done I put the cardboard boy (lets call him 'Carl" for the sake of ease) off to the side to prevent any unwanted damage. We then prepared to decorate Carl’s clothes.

Now, the next step is entirely up to you. You can decorate your paper doll’s clothes any way you like. I opted to use collage but how about paint, crayons, markers or stickers?

I selected some decorative paper that I had lying around (you could use craft paper, gift wrap, newspaper, magazine pages, or simply draw or paint directly on to the template). I laid the cardboard template shorts on top of the decorative paper and drew around them, leaving an outline on the patterned paper.


I then cut the paper shorts out and glued them onto the cardboard template (this is done to reinforce them, as they are ultimately going to end up in the hands of a toddler). Voila!… Carl now has a pair of snazzy beach board shorts.

I did this same procedure using different color paper for the gloves, the shoes and the hat.


Meanwhile, my son got busy working on Carl’s T-shirt. He just set straight to work gluing directly on the cardboard template. That works too.

He added space stickers (his love of the cosmos continues!) and pom poms (apparently all the rage this season)!


I’d be remiss if I did not point out the traffic light formation of the pom pom buttons down the middle of the shirt too - he was extremely pleased with those.




The beauty of this project is that it can be ongoing, and the options for creating clothing items are endless. Anytime you want to entertain the kids, you can get the paper doll out and craft a new piece for it's wardrobe.

Or simply just play dress up.

You can make a variety of different outfits, and accessories too.
Even better, how about making costumes?

Cardboard Carl could be an astronaut, a chef, or an engineer.

Consider making facial features for your doll too.
How about a different hairstyle?
Maybe change your doll from a boy, to a girl …. meet Carla perhaps?

You'll notice that I chose to glue flesh color paper on to Carl, just to make him more sturdy and neater looking. It is not necessary, but if you do decide to do the same I would recommend you do that particular part of the project alone. It needs a little focus and time.

To paper your doll you simply lay the cardboard template on top of the paper and trace around it. You'll have to overlap parts of the paper (as I did) to cover the entire doll if you don't have a large enough piece of paper to trace around him in one go. Cut the outline and paste on to the cardboard doll template.

I would love to see what you come up with, if you decide to take on this project.
Send me pics and maybe I can post them up here!

Happy pasting!

MSTTF

(My Submarine To The Future)