Kristen Wiig Reflects on Home Life with Her ‘Gabby’s Dollhouse’-Loving Twins (Exclusive)

Kristen Wiig knows a thing or two about getting into a kooky character.

The Saturday Night Live alum and Palm Royale star is at it again in Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, in theaters now. Only this time, the actress, 52, is joined by her fun-loving twin daughters Shiloh and Luna, 5, who lend their little voices to animated characters in the film.

For this week’s print issue, Wiig opens up to PEOPLE about the seriously silly new role, answering everything from what it’s like playing the villain Vera opposite Laila Lockhart Kraner‘s Gabby, to how she manages her most important role: Mom.

(Bonus: Watch above as the costars field kid questions from Girl Scouts serving as tiny PEOPLE reporters themselves!)

PEOPLE: What made you sign on for a movie based on a Netflix children’s show?

My kids [with husband Avi Rothman] are almost 6 and don’t watch TV that much. And it’s hard because there are some shows that you prefer your kids to watch more than others, but this was an easy ‘yes’ for my husband and I, just because of the good nature of the show, the sweetness of it, the involvement with the kids, how she talks to the camera. Once the show was introduced to our house, it was a lot of Gabby. They’re just obsessed.

PEOPLE: So signing on for the movie must have been a no-brainer?

They’re why I did it. Of course, I really loved working with [director] Ryan Crego. I think he’s so talented, but it felt really good to make a creative decision for someone other than myself. And then I knew that they could watch it, even though they’re still in that age where they’re trying to figure out what I do.

PEOPLE: They also voice characters.

That’s generous. They play Hopper and Bopper, these two little cats. They just kind of laugh and jump around and squeal and say things in unison, but it was really cute seeing them in the little booth with their headphones on because they didn’t really know what was going on, and it was so hilarious.

Girl Scout Annalise, 8: You’ve played a lot of funny parts in your acting career, how was it playing the crazy cat lady [Vera]?

Wow, the crazy cat lady was really fun. I also loved the costumes, and I felt like once I got in the costume with the wig and had the nails, it helped me really find a little extra bit of crazy for the crazy cat lady, but it was really, really fun. It was hard to be not nice to Laila [Lockhart Kraner, who plays Gabby], that was hard.”

PEOPLE: Thinking back to when you were a kid, did you watch shows like Gabby’s?

I’m so jealous. I feel like most of the live-action stuff was for a much younger, toddler audience. I didn’t feel like we had a lot that wasn’t animated. I mean, there was Sesame Street, which I loved, but I think that’s another reason why this show is such a phenomenon.  I would’ve loved to have watched something like that.

PEOPLE: Back in the present, SNL just won an Emmy for this year’s 50th-anniversary special. 

That was one of the greatest weekends of my life, to be honest. It was overwhelming in the best way, and just seeing all those people and then just being back on that stage with everybody, it was hard to explain. It was emotional, and it was really a beautiful weekend.

PEOPLE: What about Palm Royale, returning for season 2 on Apple TV+? How does it feel leading that show?

I feel so lucky that this show came into my life. It’s the most fun, and the cast was and is just instant family. I feel very much ‘pinch me’ a lot of the time, and I don’t want it to end. I love it so much, everyone involved. It comes back out November 12th, and I’m excited. This season’s very fun. No spoilers!

PEOPLE: Well, in the words of Gabby, what makes you feel cat-tastic these days?

Everyone’s just going to think I am such a snooze fest, but I really mean this, being home with my family. That is where I am the happiest person.

For more exclusive fun with Wiig and costar Laila Lockhart Kraner, head over to the PEOPLE App.