Best way to keep Paper dolls for 4yo? Should I laminate them
 

My 4yo DD just discovered the joy of paper dolls ala her Kim Possible underwear, LOL there was a paper doll inside and you would have thought that was made of gold, the way she had fun with that.

Since she is such a great stamper fiend (yes can you say she makes a mother proud) I thought I would pass along my paper dolls set that I bought for her in mind years ago but have never used. Well, I have used the apple but that is all, and that was for her preschool scrapbook page!

Ok so I digress. The only thing I found through searching here was the luncnbox idea, which is great, but I am thinking for the whole set, what should I do - cut out and laminate all the dolls? Then have her color/stamp the clothes and help her cut them out? Wondering what best to do so she can play with this set and 1) not get frustrated and 2) not get ME frustrated, LOL.

Any advice?

I think I would laminate them. I might also put that magnetic stuff on the back so she could adhere them to the fridge or that magic board you'll now have to buy and put in her playroom!!!

I've also read that people cut off the tabs and put tiny bits of magnetic strip on the back of the clothes, too... that way the close stay on and tiny fingers don't have to struggle with tabs that don't want to stay down.

How cute that she's into paper dolls. I wish I had a granddaughter to play with my set. Or at least if one of my grandsons was gay... lol (just kidding... don't flame me!)

I found this set cool....but challenging. By the time my daughter was old enough to cut it out, she wasn't interested in playing w/ it! And, the tabs were a bummer! I would definitely laminate & put magnets on...& keep it all together in a metal lunchbox. I didn't see these 3 suggestions until it was too late. Luckily, I have 2 more girls to try it on.

I made an entire set for my 4 year old this summer and laminated them and placed them on magnet sheets. I also made her a magnetic doll house, that opens up to reveal a three bedroom house with all the furnishings.

She and her brothers (go fiqure) love it. I made one for her cousin a few years back that was much less involved. I only made one background out of a sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" paper and sprayed it w/ spray fixative and placed it on magnetic sheeting and she still plays with it on her mom's fridge.

I had a lot of fun w/ both of these, and know the kids enjoy it makes it all worth it.

Good luck and hope they enjoy.

Dusty Patrick

Oh, I love paper dolls! I collect them from the 1920's - 1940's (long before even my mother was born.) I have quite a few sets framed with their clothes and hanging on the walls in my bedroom.

My daughter wanted to play with mine. NO WAY! I bought her a cheap set and ended up putting them on a new poster board to make them thicker and then I did not have to laminate them. The tabs are a tough thing at that age. I love the magnet idea! I think I have seen that there is also a thin felt you can apply to the doll and clothes. Have fun!

Sounds like the PERFECT excuse to buy a xyron :lol: then you can laminate AND magnetise all at the same time 8) :wink: