First let me apologize for this activity being posted so late – it has been a challenging morning from the technology standpoint as we maxed out our server space and things started to act a little wonky. No worries though – I have fixed it and now we can return to our regularly scheduled doll play fun!
Back in the fall we reviewed some outfits from today’s sponsor, Dream World Collections and were absolutely blown away by the quality of her work. Her Black Swan Ballet Outfit has continued to be one of our favorite outfits for the dolls so we decided that today’s activity should be focused around ballet! And if you check her site she has a few different (and all gorgeous) ballet outfits and some gymnastics leotards for dolls, too.
McKenna knows that in order to be a great gymnast she needs to have plenty of ballet training. In order to have a ballet play day with your dolls they need a leotard and a tutu if possible and a ballet bar. If you have McKenna’s gymnastics equipment, her bar works very nicely as a ballet barre, however, if you do not, you can use a towel rack (just place a large box under it to raise your working surface to the right level) or a wooden dowel rod resting on two even stacks of books.
Your doll will need to practice her basic ballet foot positions – first, second, third, fourth and fifth, as well as some of her Jetés (French for jump), pliés (French for bend) and other dance skills. For a full list of ballet terms and what they mean, check the Glossary of Ballet. Put on some classical music and help her make up a dance of her own, too.
Today’s printable is more for you than your doll! Print out our Ballet Word Search and find the ballet words in the puzzle. You will have to look side to side, up and down and diagonally to find the answers.
Download the printable Ballet Word Search as a PDF file.
Even if you do not have a leotard or tutu for your dolls you can still have fun playing ballet, but I did find some cute no-sew tutu tutorials you can try so your dolls can look the part of a ballerina.
- Our very own Karen shows you how to make a no-sew tutu on her site
- Jennifer from A Heart Full of Love is also a Doll Diaries reader and she shows you how to make a patriotic no-sew doll tutu
- Duds for Dolls is one of our Facebook friends who makes fun stuff for dolls of all sizes and she shows you how to measure and make a no-sew tutu for any size doll
Have fun and don’t forget to point your toes and hold your head high!!
I used to take ballet in high school. We not only had to know the moves, but we had to know the French words, their definition, and how to spell them! BTW…the SFStyleClub (Springfield Collection dolls), has an activity on how to make a ballet studio for your doll. You can go to SFStyleClub.com and click on the Activities tab.
Cute! Firstie.
Never mind! Secondie
Sharry – great tip! I have seen that activity before and had forgotten about it.
i LOVE it!!
You don’t wear a tutu to ballet class. Just a leotard and sometimes a flat skirt.
I was in ballet when I was like 2 but I was to focused on starring at myself in those giant mirrors. My friend had the exact same problem. LOL!
cute
I love ballet it’s basically my dreAm! And a quarter or half of my life. I could never give it up. And my dOlls couldn’t either now I must make a ballet bar!!! Thanks!!
Fun!!
J’adore danser! Mes poupées modernes prennent tous des cours de danse chaque semaine.
I wear sweat pants to ballet, but I’m more concerned about poor McKenna’s calves. Those ribbons must really hurt tied so high! Also, we usually have 2 dress rehersals, one in the classroom and one on stage, so to me its not that strange that she’s in full costume.
Lena – Ok I admit it – I tied them that high so you could see how long the strings were. But when it comes right down to it, I know a whole lot more about the details of competitive gymnastics and swimming than I do about ballet
Hi char!
Hi Jordy!
Its ok. McKenna’s a cousin of Barbie’s, and that girl ties them up to her knees, so I figure its genetic.
Besides, after tying the shoes on H4H Consuelo, I’m convined longer ribbons are better on dolls.
The same happened to my computer!
When do you think the summer release for American Girl will be? Or do you think its the swimsuit that came out with the Lacrosse outfit ect.?Thanks!
Sarah, I’ve heard the summer release will be on the 28th in stores, the 3rd of July online.
Your usually not allowed to wear a tutu into class. You need tights as well.
in ballet we r supposed to wear a leotard, tights, a flowy skirt,or shorts, ballet shoes, and hair in a bun or ponytail. (i dont think people in my class enjoy buns they never wear them) – they like them probably just as much as i do.
Lena- Thank you!
My ballet school is kind of strict. We have to wear a certain color leotard, depending on which class you take. We have to wear buns and tights too.
I made a gymnastics bar for mackeena because the bars are back ordered. I use four American girl boxes and a dowel in between them. I covered them in cool duck tape then clipped two of the same sized hair clips and rubber bands on to the dowel and put their hands through. It is just like her bars!
Hanna – I’d love for you to send in photos of the bars you made!
I am doing this right now .