Make Handmade Journals – Directions and Variations

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I was inspired by Susan Kapuscinski Gaylord, the author of Handmade Books for a Healthy Planet, to use recycled materials and teach kids how to make handmade journals.

handmade journals

Step One – We used cardboard from cereal boxes and granola bar boxes. Then, we covered the covers with fabric.

handmade journals

Step Two – Find paper (if you can use recycled paper, glue the two used sides together.) We hole punched the top and bottom of the cardboard first.

handmade journals

Step Three –  Then, we marked where to hole punch the paper and punched the paper.

handmade journals

Step Four – Bend the left side of the book to make a fold about .5 inch in from the edge.

handmade journals

Step Five – Add a back cover (not shown.) Then, find a stick that’s just a smidge under the length of your book. Wrap a rubber band around the top of the stick and pull through the top hole.

handmade journals

Step Six – Pull down to the bottom hole. Push the rubber band through the hole and around the bottom of the stick.

handmade journals

The kids in my writing workshop made all sorts of delightful variations . . .

Here’s a Duct Tape Journal version that became a gift for this writer’s mom.

handmade journals

JJ used tied pipe cleaners to bind her Purple Journal. It made it a bit harder to turn the pages but she liked the color coordination of all purple.

handmade journals

Another writer used pipe cleaner all the way around as binding for her Pink Book.

handmade journals

What will you make?

And what will you write?

EASY DIY HANDMADE JOURNALS FOR KIDS
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10 Comments

  1. This looks like a fun project my family will do. We try to write in our journals at least once a week. This post made me realize we didn’t do it last week. We had company in town.

    My oldest son is a lefty. I bet we could put the stick and opening at the top.

    Thanks for the fun idea and reminder to write in our journals.

  2. ooohhh… i LOVE this! i spend so much money buying journals for my girls that this is both a great cost saver and craft and frankly, just way cooler then the stuff you can buy.

    I will refer to this during the down weeks this summer! thanks for this great idea! i’ll send you a photo when we make them!