This doesn’t need much of an introduction – the title says it all. We had an amazing time at the MBPR Luncheon last week (we told our story and generally met some amazing people in the publishing/printing/marketing industry) and are feeling immersed in books, so here are a few ideas to share our enthusiasm:

MATCH-UP BOOKS are always a hit. We also played a game when I was little where everyone would draw a head and fold the paper down so only the neck stuck out. The papers got passed around and everyone drew a body, and folded their paper down with two legs sticking out. Pass the paper, draw the feet, and pass again or not before you unfold your creations. Lots of quiet entertainment followed by truly funny pictures – marvelous!

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/book-crafts4.htm

STITCHED BINDING for lacing practice. I’m not sure where this picture originated, but it looks brilliant. A hole punch and a ribbon gives you a bound book.

http://image.ssww.com/image/GP1300.main.jpg

BUTTON BOOKS – how cute are these!? Kids can draw anything, tell a story, color the dots different colors…and I’m sure create a million things I would never think of. Easy to carry in a purse too.

http://weheartit.com/entry/34650516#

SEWN NESTING BOOK … this one is outside my sphere, since I don’t own a sewing machine, but I still think it’s sweet. Maybe it really is as easy as it says? I’m also thinking of simply cutting it out with my nephew and combining it with the hole-punch binding above.

http://www.madeitonmonday.com/2011/05/kids-can-make-nesting-book.html

MAGNET BOOKLETS look like a great craft. They could have the single page shown or more, and they could be creative creations or lists. Many kids (and I use this term however loosely I need to so it includes me) love making things with magnets. A book and a magnet combined – it’s like a superhero/sidekick combo!

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/magnetic-marker-668892/

WOODSY BOOKS are a little more rustic and manly. They’re also a great tool for talking about how paper is made from trees. and an excellent reason to go on a nature walk (the hunt for the perfect stick). Have fun out there 🙂

http://www.tipjunkie.com/holiday-crafts/fathersday/fathers-day-craft/rustic-book-for-dad-easy-crafts/

MEMORY BOOK – this craft as it is requires some coordination. It turns out really cute this way too, but I also love the different parts of it. The cookie-cutter stamps, the foam cover, and the pop-up front (with simple stickies) could all be used for other projects too.

 

http://www.multiplesandmore.com/crafting-with-kids/crafting-with-kids-spring-memory-books/

ART SCRAPBOOK … easy to make, and a great way to store that refrigerator art. My mother-in-law just showed me a book done by my husband and it’s very precious (*manly wince*). I highly recommend something along these lines. Captions to say who/what was drawn might help when they’re older too.

http://www.crayola.com/things-to-do/crafts-landing/recycle-scrap-book.aspx

LEGO FACE BOOKMARK – cool! Not a book, but useful and fun. Also, don’t let the name limit you. I personally love yoshi…I think I might need to go make a bookmark…

http://momitforward.com/corner-bookmarks-kids

FOLDED PAPER BOOK – Ok, first, this seems fun in and of itself. A book out of a single sheet of paper is already spectacular. Then, this incredibly creative blogger made them into photo scavenger hunts.

http://www.iammommahearmeroar.net/2011/04/photo-scavenger-hunt.html

 Good luck and let us know if you find a project variation we should try!

 

Filed under: about books, Crafts