As a young child, I loved playing with paper dolls. Barbie’s clothes required more manual dexterity than my little fingers could muster, but paper doll wardrobe changes were a snap. But to be completely honest, my relationship with paper dolls actually fluctuated between love and hate. As much as I loved the fact that I could change their looks at the drop of a dime, their fragility was a constant source of frustration. No matter how carefully I handled the dolls, the tabs that held the clothing in place always became worn and tattered over time. And eventually, they would tear completely, leaving me with a stack of useless paper clothes. Talking about a wardrobe malfunction!

Fast forward twenty (okay, okay, thirty-plus) years. I found myself wanting to introduce my daughter to the world of paper dolls, but I was also determined to find a way to eliminate the fiddly tabs. After all, I didn’t want her to go through the same frustration that had caused me to abandon my beloved paper dolls. Luckily, I found the perfect solution with printable magnet sheets. They’re truly the best of both worlds! Wardrobe changes are just as easy, but the magnets eliminate the need for the annoying tabs. Victory!

Are you ready for a 2D fashion show on a metal runway? Let’s start making our magnetic fashionista!

Materials

• Avery printable magnet sheets
• printer
• scissors

Print, Cut, Paper Doll!

Download the paper doll template. Next, print the second and third pages of the PDF on magnet sheets. Set the pages aside and allow the ink to dry for a few minutes before you cut out the figures to ensure that the ink does not smear. Trust me when I tell you that waiting five minutes makes the difference between a doll that you can be proud of and one that resembles a sad raccoon. Definitely not a good look. Once you’ve cut all the shapes, it’s time to get our girl dressed and find a venue for the fashion show. Your refrigerator is a great option, but a cookie sheet pan will also work if the kitchen is off-limits or you’re embarking on a car trip. With any luck, you’ll be a VIP with a front-row seat for the show!