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This set of cute paper dolls brings back the chubby-cheeked, big-eyed kids from old greeting cards, each one caught mid-giggle, mid-pout or mid-splash during an ordinary day of play. Print the whole set for card fronts, gift tags and junk journal spreads, or pick a few favorites to keep in a card-making tin for whenever a grandchild needs a laugh.
Print on matte cardstock at actual size, then cut each doll out with a thin white edge left around the outline so the colors stay crisp. The 24 kids are grouped by the kind of day they are having, from backyard games to a run of small home dramas, so it is easy to find the right mood for the card in hand.
Using these images: free for personal projects such as printing, coloring, cards, journals and gifts. Handmade items that include them may be sold up to 30 pieces per design. More than that is commercial use and is not permitted, and neither is selling or sharing the images themselves or passing them off as your own. Please ask before any other use.
Backyard Treats
Blonde curls bounce as she giggles over a swirl lollipop nearly as big as her head, which makes a sweet card front for any child who has just lost a tooth or earned a treat.
Mount her on foam dots over a bright gingham background and the lollipop will lift slightly off the page, catching the light the way a real candy wrapper would.
A good line to tuck beside this one reads something about the wind winning again, written in looping script next to a freckled boy pouting over his broken kite.
Pigtails flying and eyes wide with wonder, this little girl holds a frog in both cupped hands like she has just discovered something that belongs in a museum. She pairs naturally with any of the other garden-themed kids in this set for a two-doll card about a long summer afternoon outside.
Chest puffed and chin high, a small boy in a sailor suit holds his toy sailboat straight up over his head as if it has just won a race across the bathtub. Anyone writing a card for a grandson who loves the water might also enjoy browsing 29 Watercolor Boat Ideas for a matching background scene.
Quiet Little Moments
Blushing pink cheeks peek out from behind a bunch of daisies held up like a tiny shield, perfect for a card that needs a gentle, bashful kind of sweetness rather than a loud one.
Heavy eyelids and a slow shuffle tell the whole story here, a toddler in a duck print romper dragging a worn teddy bear by one arm on the way to bed. Glued low on a journal page with a strip of soft flannel scrap beside it, this doll anchors a spread about naptime routines or bedtime stories read aloud.
Determination sets his jaw as he rides his stick horse at full gallop, hat pulled low, checked shirt flapping, off on some serious imaginary errand across the yard.
Up on tiptoe in her tutu, laughing with her head tipped back, she makes a lively centerpiece for a birthday card aimed at a small dancer in the family.
Melting Moments
A cowlick stands straight up and his mouth falls wide open as he stares in total disbelief at an ice cream cone with nothing left on it, which makes a wonderfully silly card for anyone who just missed out on dessert.
Write a line about the ice cream melting faster than he could eat it, placed right beside his shocked little face for the full comic effect.
Delight spreads across her face as she stomps into a puddle with her open umbrella tipped back, boots covered in little hearts and a raincoat glossy with rain. The five-minute version works well here: cut only her outline, skip the umbrella trim detail, and she still reads clearly on a small gift tag.
A baseball cap sits slightly crooked on a boy grinning ear to ear while holding a bat nearly twice his own height, ready for a summer card to a grandson who lives for the next game.
Sunny Day Fun
Excitement lights up her face under a wide sun hat as she holds her bucket and spade, ready to run for the shoreline, a cheerful match for any reader planning a summer card swap. Anyone building a beach-themed journal page might also like 12 Easy Watercolor Ocean Scenes as a quiet background wash behind her.
Rocket print pajamas and a yawn so big his eyes are shut make this boy an easy choice for a goodnight card or a bedtime page in a baby book.
Red braids swing as she holds a spoonful of medicine at arm’s length with a grumpy scowl, the perfect bit of humor for a get-well card that does not want to take itself too seriously. Set her on a journal page with a tiny paper pill bottle and a scrap of gingham fabric for a whole little sickbed scene.
Proud Moments
A cardigan and plaid skirt frame a proud little smile as she holds up a school paper stamped with a gold star, ready for a congratulations card after a good report or a first spelling test.
A boy in short pants and a neat bow tie dissolves into giggles as his puppy licks his whole face at once, arms still trying to hold on through the laughing.
Pair him with the gold star girl for a two-doll card about a good day all around, or mount just the puppy on a foam dot so it seems to leap up at his cheek.
Eyes wide with wonder, she holds a birthday cupcake topped with one lit candle, her frilly party dress puffed out for the occasion, a natural pick for any birthday card she is meant for.
Little Investigators
Round glasses magnify his curious stare as he bends a magnifying glass low over a ladybug, a sweet choice for a thank-you card to a grandchild who loves bugs and leaves more than toys.
A bonnet sits at a jaunty angle as she pushes her doll pram with one hand on her hip and a sassy little smirk, full of mock seriousness about her important errand.
Chest out and chin lifted under an oversized toy fireman’s helmet, he grips a toy hose like he is about to save the whole street, which makes a fun card for a boy who loves trucks and sirens. Glue him onto a craft stick for a stand-up decoration that can prop against a cake or a window ledge.
A toddler girl in a sunsuit stares in open amazement at a dandelion puff nearly as big as her own head, caught in the split second before she blows it apart.
Small Dramas
Serious concentration sets her brow as she carefully bandages a teddy bear’s paw, nurse’s cap pinned neatly in place, a gentle choice for a get-well card to tuck in with flowers or soup.
A paper chef’s hat tips to one side as he holds up a thoroughly messy mud pie on a plate, bursting with pride over his very questionable cooking.
This one works nicely glued onto a recipe card or tucked beside a kitchen-themed journal page, and readers planning a full kitchen scene might enjoy 33 Kitchen Watercolor Art Ideas for a backdrop behind him.
What to Do Next
Print out a few favorites first, test the paper and scissors on one doll, then run off the rest of the set for a stash of cards and tags ready whenever the next birthday or thank-you note comes along.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paper works best for printing these paper dolls?
Matte cardstock in a medium weight works best because it holds color well and cuts cleanly without curling. Avoid glossy photo paper, since it can make small scissor cuts slip and tear.
What printer settings give the sharpest colors?
Set the printer to its best or photo quality setting and print at actual size, not scaled to fit the page. This keeps the fine outlines crisp and stops the dolls from printing smaller than intended.
What is the easiest way to cut out the small details?
Small detail scissors handle curves like hair and hands far better than regular scissors. For tight inner corners, such as the gap between an arm and the body, a craft knife on a cutting mat gives a cleaner line.
How can these paper dolls stand up on a shelf or table?
Glue the printed doll onto a folded cardstock strip to make a simple stand, or mount it on a wooden craft stick like a little puppet. Both options let the doll stand upright for a display or a photo.
Can these dolls be used for pop-up or 3D cards?
Yes, foam adhesive dots raise the doll slightly off the card front for a simple pop-up effect. Layering just the held object, like the lollipop or cupcake, on a second foam dot adds even more depth.
Have any thoughts?
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