DIY Virtual Reality Goggles for Dolls

I have another STEM inspired craft post for you today!  In a recent interview with Brandy’s Happy Home’s youth writer, Jayla, Dr. Shelley Cazares mentioned that she enjoyed and benefited from her training with virtual reality goggles for NASA’s Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA).  We decided to craft up DIY Virtual Reality Goggles for dolls.  These goggles will be perfect for anyone in love with American Girl’s newest Girl Of The Year, Luciana Vega.  Luciana is a STEM loving character with space inspirations!

You can find our interview with Dr. Cazares and our previous Luciana STEM posts here: http://brandyshappyhome.com/the-doll-room/lucianas-stem-room/

All you need for this craft is the free printable, scissors, and a glue stick. I printed this printable onto 65 pound cardstock.  This cardstock works well in printers and is sturdy for doll play.  I do not recommend printing this printable onto regular printer paper unless you would be using it as a template for foam paper.

Your free DIY Virtual Reality Goggles for Dolls printable can be found here: Virtual Reality Goggles for Dolls

1.   Cut out the side panel for the goggles.

2.  Fold side panel at solid line.  *Tip- I used a ruler as a guide to fold the paper.

3.  On the folded edge: cut small slits about 1/8 inch apart the entire length of the paper.  The closeness of these cuts allows for more curving of your paper.

4.  Cut out the front of the virtual reality goggles (solid black) and lay it down, face first.  Find the center points of the goggle mask and side panel.  I did this by gently folding the paper in half without creasing.  Mark with a pencil.

5.  Place glue on center side panel and match up with goggle mask center.

6.  Continue gluing all around mask.  Take your time and manipulate paper so it curves.  Add glue as you go.   The slits will overlap to form curves.  When you are finished the inside should look like this:

7.  Next, cut out the screen for the inner goggle mask and glue in place.  The image is of the Mars Rover.

8.  Cut out the doll virtual reality mask straps.  Glue one strap to each side.  Make sure you get the right and left on correct sides: you’ll know this because the star will point up.  I made the straps long so you will have to cut some of the length off.  This was done to accommodate different thicknesses of doll hair styles.

9.  Finally, glue the straps together in the back.  The doll virtual reality goggles slide easily on and off of the doll’s head.

I wonder what our doll, Shelley, is learning with these DIY virtual reality goggles?  Mars exploration?  Rock collection??

These DIY Virtual Reality Goggles for dolls will be perfect for any American Girl doll Luciana scene!

What’s great about a DIY project is that every doll can have a pair!

What STEM activity would you like to learn with virtual reality goggles?

Craft on!