DIY book
A quick-prep, open-ended invitation to create a book from scratch using whatever materials you have on hand.
This is one of those activities that takes barely a minute to set up but can turn into a whole afternoon of creativity.
Fold a few sheets of paper and staple them in the middle to make a blank book - and let your child take it from there. It could be a storybook, a colouring book, a sticker scrapbook, a comic, or a “things I love” list.
Add pencils, crayons, stickers, washi tape, or even bits from the recycling box and let their imagination lead the way. There’s no right or wrong way to do...
Materials
Prep / make
Step 1:
Fold 2–4 sheets of paper in half to create a booklet.
Step 2:
Staple along the fold or use a hole punch and tie string to bind.
Step 3:
Set out with drawing and collage materials.
Play
Step 1:
Invite your child to create their own book - it can be themed (e.g. a story, a nature journal) or totally freeform.
Step 2:
If they're feeling stuck, ask questions like “What’s the title?” or “Who’s in your story?” to spark ideas.
Step 3:
Let them draw, decorate, and “read” it back to you.
Extend
Real-life storybook: Print a few photos of recent outings or family members and let your child turn them into a picture story.
Collaborative authoring: Take turns adding to each page - you write one line, they draw, then swap.
Mini book series: Once they’ve made one, encourage them to create a collection - like a series of mini books on different topics (“My Pets,” “Dinosaurs,” “Things That Make Me Laugh”). Keep them together in a little library.
