Materials
Roll of brown butcher paper or a similar kind of paper
Chalk
Drop cloths such as old blankets and sheets
Tempera paint in Styrofoam trays
Liquid soap
Small sponges
Scissors
Round sticky labels
Oil pastels
Miscellaneous materials such as fabric, felt, yarn, ribbon, wrapping and construction paper,
pompoms, and cotton balls
Glue
Stapler
Instructions
What to do
1. Invite the children to take turns lying on the butcher paper while one of their classmates traces
the outline of their body with chalk. When the outline is complete, encourage the children to
sketch in details on their own paper doll such as pants or a dress and shoes. Tell the children
that their doll can represent them, someone they know, or an imaginary person.
2. While they are working, cover the floor with drop cloths. Pour a small amount of paint into each
tray, adding a bit of liquid soap to extend the paint. Provide a sponge for each tray.
3. When the children are ready, set the trays on the floor and have the children lay their dolls on
the floor around the trays.
4. Encourage the children to work with one color until they are finished with it, then start a second
color. When they are finished painting, set the dolls aside to dry.
5. Afterward, help the children cut out their doll outside the outline.
6. Invite the children to use round labels, oil pastels, or other materials to add features and clothing
accessories. Suggest that the children make props from paper such as a football, a book, a
pet, or a favorite belonging.
7. Display the paper dolls along a wall, holding hands.
More to do
More art: Have the children sit beneath the display of paper dolls and take a photo; invite the
children to create a frame for their group photo. Create portraits with oil pastels.
Language: Have the children introduce their paper dolls and write or dictate a few sentences
about them.
