How to make a paper doll that stands and waves

What your kid makes

Your kid ends with a card paper doll that stands by itself, waves one arm, and changes into an outfit with tabs, plus a short story about where it's going. The same paper friend can later star in a stop-motion film.

The 4 lessons

1. 

   Lesson 1. Draw your friend

   Thick card, thick legs, and one arm drawn on its own make a strong paper friend.

   1. Find thick card
   2. Draw your friend big, with thick legs
   3. Draw one arm on its own and cut them out with a grown-up

   Where: Paper

   Watch it free above

2. Lesson 2. Make it stand

   A tent stand or a slot stand keeps the friend standing up.

   1. Fold a card strip into a tent stand, or cut a slot stand
   2. Make the stand wider if it wobbles
   3. Get your friend standing by itself

   Where: At home

   In the app

3. Lesson 3. Make it wave

   A paper fastener at the shoulder turns the arm into a joint.

   1. Line the arm up at the shoulder
   2. Join it with a paper fastener or tape
   3. Make your friend wave

   Where: At home

   In the app

4. Lesson 4. Clothes and a story

   Clothes with tabs fold back and hold on, and give the friend somewhere to go.

   1. Draw one outfit with tabs
   2. Fold the tabs back to dress your friend
   3. Tell where your friend is going

   Where: Paper

   In the app

Lesson 1 transcript: Draw your friend

1. 0:00

   Hi, I'm Krea! Today you make a paper friend. It stands up, waves hello, and changes clothes!

2. 0:08

   Your friend can be anyone. A person. An animal. Or a creature nobody has ever seen.

3. 0:16

   Use thick card, like the inside of a cereal box. Thin paper flops over. Card stays strong.

4. 0:24

   Draw your friend big, about as tall as your hand. Give it thick legs, so it won't bend.

5. 0:31

   Here's the trick. Leave one arm off, and draw it on its own. That arm will wave later!

6. 0:38

   Meet Bix, my paper bear!

7. 0:42

   Cut around the outside, not every little gap. Ask a grown-up to help with the tricky cuts.

8. 0:48

   Your turn. Find some card. Draw your friend with thick legs, and one arm on its own. Cut them out with a grown-up. Then press Next.