It is going to be a fun year with the Girl of the Year being a gymnast and having such an interesting collection. I already know that our readers will be working their creativity to find ways to add to McKenna’s collection using imaginative crafts, repurposed finds, and less expensive doll line substitutes. Hooray for creativity!
Let’s start today by making McKenna a practice balance beam. For those of you who are not gymnasts, a practice beam is often a little wider, lower to the ground and softer than a competition balance beam. She will practice new skills there before competing them.
You will need :
- 5 sponges (I got mine at the dollar store)
- 1 roll of duct tape (color of your choice – Duck brand makes it in wild patterns too)
- A pair of scissors
You can get all the supplies for less than $3 at the Dollar Store.
- Step 1 line up 5 sponges
- Step 2 add a small piece of tape to hold each of the sponges to each other
- Step 3 cover your sponges with the tape in long strips, layering as you go covering the entire length and sides of the sponges.
Once the sponges are covered you are ready for some fun gymnastic themed doll play!
It does take some practice and patience to balance your doll on her balance beam just like in real life!
I look forward to sharing more doll play fun with you next week!
Where did you get the leotard?
Caitlin – I am not sure where Karen got the leotard, but I will be putting together a post with all the etsy stores and other places you can get doll sized leotards later today.
thirdie
Looks like she made the leotard
So cute!! Do you know where i can poles for the balance beam?? Also could you maybe do a post about making an american girl doll pool?
You could make supports for the beam out of wooden dowels and board for the base.
I am working on a post/video on my youtube for the gymnastic bar.
Char, I have a tutorial on my blogspot on how to make a rhythmic gymnastic set 4 dolls with pictures!
also, can I use the duct tape/sponge idea to make a MAT for a doll
what would you suggest in making a bar set and a wedged mat
I love this Craft I’m gonna make it
Cut a sponge into a wedge shape and cover it with duct tape for the wedge mat. A bar is a little trickier. We may have to think on that…
Hi everyone I am so glad you liked the craft today! I made the leotard, though it is not perfect it was my first attempt! I love all your ideas for making more of your doll play items for your dolls! Good luck everyone!
To Nikki: I got an inflatable “baby pool” from Wal-Mart last summer for less than $10. It is perfect size for my girls dolls and even a couple more so they can have a “pool party” with their friends! Of course, we don’t put any water in it! Karen has posted something similar on her blog, which is where I got my idea from. Go check it out! =)
Char, I’m not really sure what you mean by cutting a sponge into a wedge shape, can you explain a little bit more? I did however manage to find a wedge shaped wood block though. I made the balance beam and mat this morning, it looks fabulous!
P.S to the readers who were wondering to raise the beam higher, you can lay stacks of duct tape coveres sponges under the beam or use teeny wood blocks.
Great idea! Is the AG beam “spongy”?
@lgrrl – I think she means to cut it across an angle, like making 2 triangles out of a rectangle. How did you make a mat?
Oh I really like the leotard!
the bottoms of the real board seem to made of metal splints?
you can also make a vault minus springboard
Char, I love this but need more sponges but I have an idea u could make a sponge cake to by cutting the sponge in half and putting foam in the middle then glue it back together. Then u would put foam for the frosting (if they aren’t color) and then cut out pieces of the cake for cake slices.
Cute!!
lgrrl- how do you make the vault? and what is your bloggs name p.s. im using my moms account again.
This is one of my FAVORITE doll craft ideas!! Honestly, this is so cute! Sorry I am writing
this so late, I just got back from buying sponges (YAY) and I have been watching the football
game on tv.
I don’t do gymnastics but could someone tell me the objects of it and what they exactly are?(vault?)
my blog address is agtlcrepair.blogspot.com The vault you can probably do wood boards and have sponges crossing the sides. I know not my best idea but it worked for me and it is much easier to make than an original vault design. For the mat I did the same things that you do for the balance beam except make it more wide and cover it with duct tape. If anyone knows how to make a bar for your doll it would be appreciated
@Chloe
Gymnastics has 4 main events known as the balance beam, vault, uneven bars and floor excersise
if you are really confused go on youtube and look up the events for examples
hope this helps:)
I love this craft and I think it will work perfect for McKenna!
YAY!!!! I just finnished it and it is PURPLE!!!!! Mine is a little different. I found a pack of ten sponges for a dollar, but I only used 4 for the balance beam. I put them in 2 pairs, and covered them. then I put one strip of tape over the top so that it could fold for storage
Now I need to think of something for the other six sponges…
Awesome Annika! Feel free to take photos of it and send it in.
Thx Annette!!!! That’s a good idea! I will check it out!!! I was just thinking About making a big trampoline the ones you see in Gymnastics. My sports are Soccer,Softball,and Field hockey! Maybe i should make things that are in those sports?
To Char~ How do we change our little icon pic???
My mom said I could!!! Actually, she asked me if I wanted to before I even opened my mouth. Thank you mommy!
hmm, now where is that camera….
You have to create an account through http://www.gravatar.com
lggrl thanks it helped alot now i know. u see i have really never had anything to do with it but i could try next year because it is optional.:)
How fun!!
@Nikki
kewl,i think I’ll do a trampoline too simply cuz I love gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics. Both are very beautiful to watch and to do. I practice with passion, dedication and grace
cool i will try to make it -sophia
I really like the balance Beam. Do you have any more Mckenna crafts?
Not yet but I hope to soon! Thanks everyone for your enthusiasm!
@Maria
I have some rhythmic gymnastics crafts on my blog if it helps I also have a craft on how to make a doll gymnastics mat
I just finished making this, and I’m going to create a gymnastics mat using the 3 remaining sponges that are left (I only got 7 sponges in 1 package).
Here’s how to create a gymnastics mat:
1) Cut 3 sponges in half lengthwise
2) line the sponges up so that they resemble a doll-sized gymnastics mat
3)cover them in duct tape
i have a suggestion for the mat. Repurpose a travel baby changing mat.
Heather – that is a great idea!!
when i go to the american girl store should i get my dolls ears pierced and the duluxe spa package or just ear piercing?
when i go to the american girl store should i get my dolls ears pierced and the duluxe spa package or ear piercing?
i’m sorry i posted that twice!
Thanks for showing this. I’ve always wanted to have a gym class for my dolls! Of course, Kirsten will have to sit out… she’s older than the other dolls and has loose legs so I don’t want to take my chances…
Nice! I’m going to the dollar store today! So I’m going to work on this craft
I just made it a couple of days ago and it’s so much fun for my dolls. Ruthie is giving Gwen a hard time on how to do their routine, while Kit and Lanie are just having fun and often goofing off. Kirsten will be judging them! Thanks for the craft!!!