Playtime Nativity Paper Dolls
Bring the Christmas story to life with these Playtime Nativity Paper Dolls. Kids can mix and match paper doll bodies, hair, and nativity costumes to create Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, angels, and the Magi. This printable paper doll activity is a fun way to encourage imaginative play during the holiday season and makes a wonderful addition to Christmas classroom activities, Sunday school, or family craft time.
These printable templates are also a nice way to keep little hands busy while talking about the meaning of Christmas. Children can color each piece, cut them out, and create their own nativity scenes to play with or display.
You’ll also find an angel and Magi paper dolls to add to the scene.  Wintertime paper dolls are also part of the Playtime collection of paper dolls so keep cutting and pasting your favorites for fun activities.
Supplies
- Playtime Paper Doll Body
- Playtime Paper Doll Hair
- Nativity costume printables
- White paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
Instructions
- Print the Playtime Paper Doll Body and Playtime Paper Doll Hair pages on white paper.
- Print the nativity costume pages, including outfits for Mary, Joseph, and the Magi.
- Let the kids color all of the pieces before cutting them out. Coloring first makes the project much easier.
- Carefully cut out the paper doll body, hair, and nativity costumes.
- Glue the hair and costume pieces onto the paper doll body to create your nativity characters.
- Use the finished paper dolls to act out the Christmas story or create a festive holiday display.
Fun Facts
One of the oldest known nativity displays in the world is preserved in Bologna, Italy, at the Basilica di Santo Stefano. It dates back to the 13th century and features beautifully crafted figures made by skilled sculptors and decorators.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
Click on a pattern to open it in a new window to print at the correct size.
Teacher Friendly Educational Extension
This Christmas craft can be used as more than just a fun holiday activity. It also works well as a hands-on learning tool.
Invite children to retell the nativity story using the finished paper dolls. This helps build sequencing, storytelling, and listening skills. In a classroom or homeschool setting, children can also compare the different nativity characters and talk about the role each person played in the Christmas story.
For a creative writing extension, ask children to choose one character and write a few sentences about that person. Younger children can dictate their ideas while an adult writes them down.
Supplies
White Paper
Scissors
Glue Stick
Crayons, Markers or Colored Pencils
Instructions
Patterns, Templates and Printables
Click on a pattern to open it in a new window
Contributor
These projects are created by Terri, Betty, Jamie or one of the talented staff members at MakingFriends.com. They have been created exclusively for publication on FreeKidsCrafts.com with supplies you'll be able to find around your house.
