Paper House and Pretend Play Guides

Choose a paper house or pretend-play project by the scene you want and the room you have for it. Compare village construction, animal pictures, small-table playsets and paper pocket pets with sliding bed boxes.

Choose one scene to begin

A fairy cottage, an animal picture and a bakery support different stories. A pocket-pet bed box adds sliding and tuck-in play on a smaller scale. A group village also needs a decision about who will make each building or character.

Start with the part children most want to use. You can build one house before arranging a whole neighbourhood. If a table is small, keep unused scenery in a tray and bring pieces out as the story needs them.

Separate construction from play

Read the individual supply and help notes before printing. House models can involve roof shapes, tabs, floors and bases that need to be assembled in order. Keep related pieces together and follow the guide supplied with that design.

The articles compare actual included pieces without assuming different downloads share a scale. They also distinguish a finished model from the digital templates you buy and assemble.

Browse paper houses and villages for building designs. Add a character from puppets and paper dolls when it suits your scene. For ornaments, learning activities or wearables, return to all craft guides.