Mini Paper Ballet Theatre

part of the Christmas craft pack - nutcracker edition!

One of my daughters favourite crafts, this tiny theatre brings a touch of old-world charm to your craft table — a layered paper scene where the Sugar Plum Fairy takes centre stage. With the help of their adult, children are invited to cut, fold, and assemble their own stage, complete with curtains, backdrop, and delicate details. With its blend of storytelling, spatial awareness and fine motor skills, this project encourages care, imagination, and creative play. Whether it becomes part of a seasonal shelf or a scene for retelling the Nutcracker story, this miniature theatre invites children into step inside a magical mini ballet show!

Download this printable as well as all the others in The Nutcracker Christmas Craft pack in the link below.

What you’ll need

• Mini Paper Theatre Printable, printed on A4 Watercolour paper or cardstock (we use 180g watercolour paper)

• Scissors or a paper trimmer

• Glue or double stick tape

Assembly

1. Print your paper theatre sheet and cut out all five parts: the backdrop, the Sugar Plum Fairy with her sweets, the foreground theatre frame, and the two curtain panels.

2. Carefully cut out the Sugar Plum Fairy piece. This piece is small and delicate, so it helps to use a sharp pair of craft scissors and take your time. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect — that’s part of the charm of handmade work.

3. Next, cut out the theatre frame that will sit in the foreground.

4. Now take one of the curtain pieces and fold it in half.

5. Fold the glue tabs back on themselves to create a zig-zag shape, as shown in picture 6.

6. Repeat this folding pattern with the second curtain piece.

7. Add glue along one of the tabs of your first curtain.

8. Attach it to one side of the foreground theatre frame.

9. Do the same with the second curtain piece, gluing it to the opposite side of the frame.

10. Now add glue to the remaining tabs on both curtains.

11. Carefully stick the entire assembled foreground piece to the backdrop, pressing gently to secure.

12. Finally, slide the Sugar Plum Fairy into the centre, between the background and foreground. Your miniature theatre is ready to enjoy!

Want to present this to your child? You’ll find how to present this project, along with many more thoughtful seasonal crafts, inside our Nutcracker Craft pack.