A little girl colouring in a rainbow dress in a paper doll book using colouring pencils.

How to Play with a Paper Doll Book

There is something wonderfully special and nostalgic about playing with paper dolls. With just a little colouring, cutting and imagination, you can create your very own character, dress them in all sorts of lovely outfits and create your own story to go with them. A lovely gift to entertain a child that does not include technology and screens.

Follow these simple steps to bring your paper doll to life.

Step 1: Buy a Paper Doll Book from www.paperdollbooks.com

Choose a paper doll book of your choice from the paperdollbooks.com online shop or from a selection of retailers listed here.

Child carefully cutting out the Superhero paper doll from a paper doll book using scissors.

Step 2: Carefully Cut Out Your Doll

At the back of the Paper Doll Book, you will find your paper doll.

If the child is too young they may need the help of a grown-up to use a scissors.

Using scissors to carefully cut out the doll and outfits is a fantastic exercise for developing motor skills, coordination, and dexterity.

Carefully follow the cutting line (dash line) and cut around the outside edge of the doll and back stand, taking your time and following the lines as neatly as you can.

Step 3: Make Your Doll Stand

Once your doll is cut out, fold the stand pieces according to the instructions in the book.

These folds will help your doll stand upright on its own, so you can dress and display the clothes on them.

Make sure all folds are crisp and firm so your doll stands steadily.

Step 4: Colour In Your Outfits

Look through the book and choose the outfits you would like your doll to wear.

Use colouring pencils, crayons or felt-tip pens to decorate each outfit.

Use your imagination and create your own unique designs.

Child colouring in boots in the Popstar Paper Doll Book using colouring pencils.

Step 5: Carefully Cut Out the Clothes

When you have coloured in your outfit, it's time to dress the doll.

Cut around the outfit following the cutting line, taking extra care not to cut off the little tabs attached. These tabs are very important because they hold the clothes in place on your doll.

Step 6: Dress Your Doll

Place the outfit against the front of your doll.

Gently fold the tabs around the shoulders, arms and waist to secure the clothing.

Adjust the tabs until the outfit sits neatly.

A coloured paper jacket and boots showing the fold-over tabs used to dress a paper doll from a paper doll activity book.

Step 7: Style and Play

You have now dressed and styled your very own paper doll.

Change outfits as often as you like and create endless stories and adventures.

Create back drops by using cardboard boxes and paper. Be imaginative and have fun.

Tips for Looking After Your Paper Dolls

  • Store your doll and outfits in an envelope or folder.
  • Fold tabs carefully so they last longer.
  • Use colouring pencils for neat details.
  • Always cut slowly and carefully.

Three paper dolls standing on a table dressed in colourful outfits that were coloured in from a paper doll activity book.

Let Your Imagination Shine

Paper dolls are a wonderful screen-free activity that encourages creativity, storytelling and fine motor skills.

Once your doll is dressed, the adventure begins. Mix and match outfits, invent exciting stories and enjoy hours of imaginative play.

Little girl playing with a paper doll in front of a cardboard box decorated as a stage backdrop.

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