All Activities
Collect souvenirs

Collect souvenirs
Green highlight

Make a personal souvenir collection box and scrapbook using safe found objects, photos, and labels; organize, document memories, and learn about preservation.

Orange shooting star
Download Guide
Collect Badge
Background blob
Challenge Image
Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to make a personal souvenir collection box and scrapbook

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Handmade Souvenirs: DIY Ideas for a Personal Touch

What you need
Adult supervision required, blank notebook or plain paper sheets, clear tape or photo safe tape, coloring materials and stickers, glue stick, label stickers or sticky labels, marker pen, photos or printed pictures, scissors, small resealable bags or envelopes, small sturdy box or shoebox, tissue or plain paper sheets

Step 1

Clear a clean workspace and spread out all your materials so everything is easy to reach.

Step 2

Choose up to fifteen safe dry souvenirs and the photos you want to keep for your collection.

Step 3

Gently wipe each souvenir with a soft dry cloth to remove loose dirt or sand.

Step 4

Put any slightly damp items on a paper towel and let them dry for at least 24 hours before using them.

Step 5

Lay out a scrapbook page or plain paper and arrange photos and flat souvenirs until you like the design.

Step 6

Write a short label for each item with where and when you found it using your marker and label stickers.

Step 7

Place tiny loose items into resealable bags and stick a matching label on the outside of each bag.

Step 8

Glue or tape photos and flat items onto the scrapbook pages so they stay in place.

Step 9

Fold tissue or plain paper and place a sheet between layers of items to protect photos and keepsakes.

Step 10

Put labeled small bags and sturdier items neatly into your box using the protected scrapbook pages as dividers.

Step 11

Decorate the box lid and scrapbook pages with coloring materials and stickers to make them look awesome.

Step 12

Write a title and the date on the box lid with your marker so you remember when you made it.

Step 13

Close the box and store it in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight to help preserve your souvenirs.

Step 14

Share your finished souvenir collection and scrapbook on DIY.org so everyone can see your memories.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
Challenge badge placeholder

Help!?

What can we use if we don't have resealable bags, label stickers, or a scrapbook?

If you don't have resealable bags or label stickers for tiny loose items (step 6–7) use small envelopes or fold a sheet of plain paper around the items and secure with tape, and substitute a plain cardboard shoebox or sheets of plain paper for a scrapbook (steps 5 and 10).

My photos are sliding or curling after I glue them—how can I fix that?

Make sure photos and souvenirs are completely dry (step 4), then use double-sided tape or photo corners and press firmly when you glue or tape photos onto the scrapbook pages (step 8), and add folded tissue between layers (step 9) to prevent rubbing and curling.

How can I adapt this activity for different ages?

For younger children (2–5) limit to 3–5 large, safe dry souvenirs and have an adult wipe items and pre-cut labels while kids stick photos and color the box lid (steps 1, 2, 3, 11–12), while older kids (10+) can handle up to fifteen items, write detailed labels with the marker, use archival tape for photos (step 8), and upload a narrated collection to DIY.org (step 14).

How can we enhance or personalize our souvenir box and scrapbook?

Add a small silica gel packet to the storage box for preservation (step 13), draw a map on a scrapbook page showing where each souvenir was found (step 5), decorate the box lid with themed stickers and a title using your marker (steps 11–12), and include a QR code linking to extra photos when you share on DIY.org (step 14).

Watch videos on how to make a personal souvenir collection box and scrapbook

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

A Tour in a Recycling Factory - Why is Recycling Important? - Recycling for Kids - Kids Recycling

4 Videos

Facts about memory keeping and preservation for kids

✂️ Scrapbooking grew from centuries-old 'commonplace books' where people saved clippings, notes, and memories.

🖼️ Printed photos stored in cool, dark, dry places can last over 100 years, and making digital backups keeps memories extra safe.

📦 Souvenirs are tiny time-travelers — museums often use people’s keepsakes to learn about everyday life.

🧾 Using acid-free paper and avoiding sticky tape helps keepsakes and pages stay bright and intact for much longer.

🔖 Writing who, where, and when on a label saves the story — details about objects are often forgotten over time.

How do you make a personal souvenir collection box and scrapbook?

Start by choosing a sturdy box and a scrapbook or binder. Sort safe found objects, photos, and small keepsakes. Clean and dry objects; place fragile items in clear sleeves or small envelopes. Arrange items by date, place, or theme, and photograph larger pieces. Write short labels and memory notes for each item, attach photos with corners or adhesive, and decorate pages. Seal sensitive items with acid-free paper and store the box in a cool, dry place to preserve memories.

What materials do I need for a souvenir box and scrapbook?

Gather a sturdy box or wooden keepsake chest, a scrapbook or binder, acid-free paper, photo corners or archival sleeves, double-sided tape or archival glue, labels or a permanent marker, scissors, small envelopes, zip bags, and decorative paper or stickers. Optional: silica gel packets for moisture control and a camera or phone for photos. Choose non-toxic, child-safe supplies and avoid sharp tools unless supervised.

What ages is this souvenir-collecting activity suitable for?

This activity works for toddlers through teens with appropriate supervision. Ages 3–5 enjoy sorting and gluing with help; 6–8 can write short labels and arrange pages with guidance; 9–12 take ownership of layout and preservation choices; teens can design themed scrapbooks and learn archival care. Always supervise young children with small items or scissors and adapt tasks to each child’s fine-motor and reading skills.

What are the benefits of making a souvenir collection and scrapbook?

Creating a souvenir box and scrapbook builds memory skills, storytelling, and organization. It strengthens fine motor skills and writing, encourages observation and reflection, and teaches basic preservation and responsibility. The project fosters family bonding through shared memories, supports emotional expression, and provides a lasting keepsake. It also promotes environmental awareness by valuing found objects and can spark interest in history and science related to conservation.
DIY Yeti Character
Join Frame
Flying Text Box

One subscription, many ways to play and learn.

Try for free

Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Discovery Tools

DIY Wiki

DIY TV

Creativity Tools

How to draw

Teacher Tools

SafeTube

DIY Blog

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.

Collect souvenirs. Activities for Kids.