Easy Paper Dolls and Paper Shapes

by Lauri Griffin | More from this Blogger

21 Feb 2008 08:39 PM

Here's a simple craft that's guaranteed to charm young children. As a plus, it only takes paper and scissors. We called this craft "paper dolls" when I was little, but it's really paper shapes. To make your own shapes, fold a piece of paper back on itself by a couple of inches. Keep folding until you have a zigzag accordion of paper.

On the top of the paper you can draw the shape you want. The simple doll shape is a favorite. But think about hearts, snowmen, gingerbread men, shamrocks, or even dinosaurs. You can also change the look of the finished strip by drawing one of dolls hand going up and the other down. The main thing you want to remember is that shape needs to connect on at least one side to the fold in the paper. Connecting to both sides makes for a sturdier strip.

Cut out your shape, cutting through all the layers of paper.

Then comes the fun part, unfolding the shape to see what you have.

You can use any kind of paper, but thin paper is better than thick. You are cutting through quite a few layers. Construction paper, wrapping paper, or scrapbooks papers work great. Card stock is too thick to cut through more than a couple folds. Tissue paper works, but it is hard to fold and it shifts a lot under the scissors. I don't recommend tissue paper for younger children, it's too frustrating to work with.

What do you do with you shapes? You can color them, or cut out clothes for the dolls to wear. Or you could spell out messages on the individual shapes, like "I Love You" on hearts, or "Happy Birthday". They are also very cute on scrapbook pages. You can even use them to decorate the top of a window or as a border around a bulletin board.

This is so easy. What shapes can your children come up with?

Also See:

Thumbprint Art - Easy Crafts for Children

Pencil Cups - Easy Craft Idea

Fun With Rubber Bands

Learn more about Lauri Griffin

Lauri lives in Colorado with her husband and three sons. Amidst all the laundry and packing of lunches, she tries to keep parenting fun.

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