Create Ballerina Paper Dolls that are flexible and poseable, just like real dancers! This is a super adorable DIY paper toy that’s easy enough for kids to make.
Ballerinas are so graceful and beautiful to watch, especially when dressed in costume!
If you have a young ballet fan on your hands, these printable dolls are going to be a hit. They’re quick and easy to put together and you can bend their limbs and torsos into different dancing poses.
There are four ballerinas to make … Mia,
Stephanie,
Flora and Rosa.
I don’t know about you, but the little kid in me is in love with all four of these dolls, haha.
If you prefer to colour your own ballerina, there is a line art version of each doll included too.
To make this craft, you will need white card stock and paper fasteners (also known as brad clips or split pins). The smaller the fasteners, the better. Ours are 8mm in width, and they worked but I would have preferred to use clips that are half the size like these because it would make the limbs easier to move and less visible at the back when the ballerinas bend their arms and legs.
Age recommendation is 6+, but younger kids could make these with some adult help.
How to make Ballerina Paper Dolls
You will need
- Card stock in white
- Brad clip paper fasteners
- Markers if making the colour-your-own version
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Something sharp to poke holes in the joints before inserting the pin – I used a paper crafting tool but the point of a compass will work just as well, (or alternatively, an adult can make holes with a craft knife and cutting mat first).
- The ballerina paper doll template, available in our printables store and TPT store
How to:
Colour the ballerinas if using the line art version, then cut the shapes out.
Use a sharp paper tool (or similar), to make holes in the joints as marked. Place the piece over a thick piece of scrap cardboard before making the hole.
Connect the doll parts together with your paper fasteners. There is no set order, but the arms need to be connected before the neck on the torso piece.
The Rosa and Stephanie dolls are designed to have the bodice of the costume layered over the skirt. The Flora and Mia dolls are designed to have the skirt layered over the bodice.
These four are off to the theatre!
More DIY paper toy ideas
- Make a set of paper fairy dolls with mix-and-match wings
- These paper cats are super easy to make—there are 7 in the set
- Create a Spring Woodland Animal set complete with a paper forest and lake (plus there are baby animals!)
- This paper ice cream ball-and-cup toy is great for some old-fashioned fun
Check out more of our printable DIY toys
