Dolls are universally popular toys for your children. Toddlers love to imitate and try out the role that they see the most — that of adult caregivers! Playing with dolls gives your child the opportunity to pretend to be the mommy or daddy and also helps her or him to be less egocentric.

Baby Bonnet Doll

This adorable craft also makes a nice gift idea.

• Show your child how to stuff the sock half full of cotton balls.

• Tie the open end of the sock securely. If there is concern that the ribbon could be a hazard for your child, take extra steps to secure it with glue or a few stitches.

• Fold back the cuff to create a bonnet.

• Let your child use fabric paints to add on the facial features.

My Statue Doll

Your child can use this personalized doll as a prop in pretend or block play. For added fun, consider making a doll to represent her friends and members of the family.

• Have your child stand facing forward in a simple pose. Compose the picture so that her head and feet are close to the edge but still in the frame. Make sure you use good lighting to get a clear photo.

• Let your child glue the photo onto the poster board.

• Help your child cover the photo with the clear contact paper. The contact paper should overlap the photo by half an inch on each side.

• Cut out the photo, following the contours of the body.

• Have your child roll out a piece of clay into a disc the size of a half dollar. This will form the statue's base.

• Show your child how to stand the photo doll up in the clay base.

• When the clay is dry, your child can then play with the statue doll.

Handkerchief Doll

Here is a cute doll that is easy to make. Skip the ribbons if your child is still putting things in her mouth.

• Fold the handkerchief in half.

• Have your child place the ball inside, positioning it at the center of the fold.

• Secure a rubber band under the ball to create a head.

• Help your child to gather the fabric from each top corner to form points.

• Secure each point with a rubber band to create arms.

• Tie a ribbon around the neck and arm joints.

• Let your child paint on a face and other features with the fabric paint.