How to make blank books for kids

As well as reading books, the kids and I have been making some books as well. Perfect holiday activity. Here’s instructions for two different types of books to make – one with a sewn binding and the other with a stick and rubber band.

Excuse my photos – I don’t usually post my own photos as I can’t claim any skill with a camera!

Sewn binding blank book

1. Place five pieces of white A4 paper on top of a coloured piece of A4 paper.
2. Make sure they are stacked neatly, and then fold in the middle to make an A5 size book.
3. Use a sewing machine to sew down the crease, doubling over your stitching at the top and bottom.
4. You can use white cotton and snip off your threads to make it look neat or you can use a contrasting cotton like red and leave the thread ends dangling for an artistic look.
5. It will take you longer to thread your sewing machine than sew these books – so it’s worth making a pile of them at once!

Rubber band and stick book

1. Place three pieces of white A4 paper on top of a coloured piece of A4 paper.
2. Make sure they are stacked neatly, and then fold in the middle to make an A5 size book.
3. Use a guillotine or scissors to cut your books. Our books measured 10.5cm long and 7cm wide but you can make them smaller than this. You can make two books from the A4 size paper, with some scraps left over.
4. Choose a sturdy twig from your garden or the park and snap it if necessary so it is just a little shorter than the length of your book.
5. Use a single hole punch to punch a hole about 1.5cm in from both ends of your book, along the folded side.
6. Put the stick on top of your book, with an end over each hole.
7. Thread the doubled loop of a rubber band through one hole from the back and put it over the stick.
8. Thread the other doubled loop of the rubber band through the other hole from the back and put it over the stick.

Of course, you can use your blank books for any type of writing or drawing project. Mr 6 started to write a story about Jack and his soccer boots. Miss 9 began a story about a girl who wanted a tiger for a pet. With each story, we used these writing worksheets as prompts for the story. I find it’s easier to start with the character, then ask what the character wants. Often kids are great at coming up with a character, but then don’t know what to do with their character. The writing worksheets guide kids to

• create their character
• work out what their character wants
• think of some obstacles or an antagonist that might stop their character getting what they want.

And there, you have your story started!

Let me know if you find these worksheets or blank books useful.