If you’re planning a road trip this summer or just looking for something special to bring out on a rainy day, consider the paper doll. It’s retro, it’s lovely, and it’s so fun to create. Cutting out paper dolls is great for your preschooler’s fine motor skills. There are dolls your preschooler can color and there are dolls in all sorts of themes and variations. Here are a few that you and your preschooler can peruse, print, and enjoy.
Marilyn The ToyMaker has an amazing set of fairy-inspired, nature-inspired, and just plain inspired dolls. We love the imaginative games and toys that you can download and print from her web site. For those who want traditional human dolls, her tiny littles paper dolls come in many different hair colors and heights and there are girls and boys. You can dress them up in historical costumes and Halloween costumes as well!
Treasures for Little Children has a page of glorious sunbonnet babies costumes for your child’s small paper doll. These are perfect for summer time.
Want a little realism in your doll collection? Cut out pictures of famous American characters and dress them up.
Making Friends has a selection of paper dolls from around the world in their traditional costumes.
Looking for summer-inspired dolls? How about a mermaid doll for a beach trip? Check out the dolls here at Tangarang.
You don’t need much to create these paper dolls. If you can, print them in color on a thicker piece of paper. Very light card is best if it will go through your printer. Get your preschooler to cut around the edges, leaving a little bit of white space in case of mistakes. A few of The Toymaker’s dolls and crafts need extra supplies like a penny or a paper clip, but most paper dolls only require scissors and some folding.
If you get very inspired, you might want to drop by the Original Paper Doll Artists’ Guild where you and your child can learn about those who love to create these paper dolls.