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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 writing journals.
Step One - We used cardboard from cereal boxes and granola bar boxes. Then, we covered the covers with fabric.
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.
Step Three - Then, we marked where to hole punch the paper and punched the paper.
Step Four – Bend the left side of the book to make a fold about .5 inch in from the edge.
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.
Step Six – Pull down to the bottom hole. Push the rubber band through the hole and around the bottom of the stick.
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.
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.
Another writer used pipe cleaner all the way around as binding for her Pink Book.
What will you make?
And what will you write?
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Melissa Taylor is a mom and educator from Denver who is passionate about playful learning. Thanks for visiting the site!
13 Comments
Great idea as usual. I will also share on my site :kidnplayja.com.
Cheers!
Renee
Wonderful! I love it. Thanks for the acknowledgement.
AAAANd now you’ve just given me the next project idea for the kiddos! Thanks Melissa!
[...] Make a Handmade Journal Out of Recycled Materials [...]
I love Susan’s ideas! It’s heart-warming to see your young students are so delighted with being able to make something “real” and useful – and they immediately want to make one for someone else. Beautiful!
[...] came across this neat idea that I wanted to share. It is directions for children to make their own journal, from a site called Imagination Soup. She always shares neat ideas on getting your children to [...]
These are awesome! I think my kids would love to do these (especially my 4 year old who is really into making up stories). Thanks for posting the directions!
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!
I love an ‘empty book’ as an adult — even more so, one that I have invested my own energy into. Great tutorial. Thanks
Nicely done! Ah, girls are such girls!
Pink and purple! LOL
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.
I love this idea! Great way to recycle- my girls love store bought journals- now they can make their own.
[...] Handmade Upcycled Book & Story from Imagination Soup [...]