Make a zine

I don't have a stapler for the step that says 'With an adult’s help staple twice along the center fold about 1 cm from the top and bottom to bind the zine' — what can I use instead?

If you don't have a stapler, substitute by stitching two small holes through the center fold with a blunt needle and strong thread or by placing a strip of clear tape along the center fold to hold the nested sheets together.

What should I do if the pages won't stay aligned after I 'Nest the folded sheets inside each other' and the outer edges are uneven?

If pages won't align, reopen each sheet and firmly re-crease every fold with a ruler or the side of a crayon, refold and nest them carefully so the folded edges match, press flat, then trim any uneven outer edges with scissors as the last step.

How can I adapt this zine activity for different ages, like preschoolers versus older kids?

For preschoolers, use only 2 sheets prefolded and pre-nested, let them make big drawings and stickers for the cover and have an adult do the stapling, while older kids can use 4 sheets, create thumbnail sketches for each page, write a longer story on the first inside page, and trim edges themselves.

How can we extend or personalize the zine beyond the basic steps like 'Create a title and decorate the cover' and 'Draw pictures on the pages and add color'?

To enhance your zine, add a small glued-in collage or pocket inside the back cover for extra notes, use colored paper for alternate pages before nesting, decorate the cover with washi tape or stamps, and take the final photo to share on DIY.org as the instructions suggest.