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Customize your sketch book

Customize your sketch book
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Decorate and personalize a sketchbook cover using markers, stickers, washi tape, stencils, and safe scissors. Practice design choices, creativity, and fine motor skills.

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Step-by-step guide to customize your sketchbook

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12 Simply Awesome Sketchbook Tips - EASY and FUN Ideas

What you need
Adult supervision required, eraser, glue stick, markers, pencil, safe scissors, sketchbook, stencils, stickers, washi tape

Step 1

Clear a flat workspace so you have room to decorate.

Step 2

Lay your sketchbook and all materials on the workspace where you can reach them.

Step 3

Pick a fun theme and choose 2 or 3 main colors to use on your cover.

Step 4

Use a pencil to lightly sketch a simple layout showing where your title stickers or drawings will go.

Step 5

Place stencils on the cover and trace the shapes you want with your pencil.

Step 6

Color the traced shapes and background with markers using your chosen colors.

Step 7

Cut washi tape into pieces with safe scissors to make borders or patterns.

Step 8

Stick the washi tape pieces onto the cover to create stripes frames or fun shapes.

Step 9

Add stickers to make focal points or fill empty spaces on the cover.

Step 10

Use a marker to write your name or a title on the cover in a style you like.

Step 11

Press down any loose tape edges or paper bits with a glue stick so everything stays put.

Step 12

Gently erase any visible pencil lines from your design.

Step 13

Let your cover dry for about 10 minutes so glue and marker ink set.

Step 14

Share your finished sketchbook cover on DIY.org

Final steps

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

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Help!?

What can we use instead of washi tape or stencils if they're hard to find?

Use colored masking tape or cut strips of wrapping or scrapbook paper instead of washi tape, and make your own stencils by tracing lids, cookie cutters, or paper templates when you 'Place stencils on the cover and trace'.

My marker colors look patchy and tape keeps peeling up—what should I do?

Test markers on a scrap page and put a spare sheet under the cover to prevent bleed, then press down loose edges and secure lifting washi tape or paper bits with the glue stick as instructed and 'Let your cover dry for about 10 minutes'.

How can I change this activity for younger kids or older kids?

For younger kids skip the 'Use a pencil to lightly sketch' step and let them place big stickers and color large areas with washable markers using safe scissors to cut tape, while older kids can create detailed pencil layouts, layered stencils, and precise lettering when they 'Use a marker to write your name or a title'.

How can we make the sketchbook cover last longer or more unique after finishing?

After you 'Press down any loose tape edges' and 'Let your cover dry,' seal the cover with clear self-adhesive film or a thin coat of clear-drying Mod Podge, or add fabric swatches under washi tape borders to personalize it before sharing on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to customize your sketchbook

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8 Tips to Make Your Sketchbook Great by Design

4 Videos

Facts about arts and crafts for kids

✂️ Cutting, sticking, and decorating a sketchbook cover are fun activities that strengthen fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

✍️ There are washable markers made just for kids that rinse off skin and most clothes with soap and water.

🎨 Artists from Leonardo da Vinci to modern illustrators use sketchbooks to test ideas and practice every day.

🏷️ Stickers began as simple labels but became collectible art — sticker sheets now come in thousands of fun designs.

📜 Washi tape is made from traditional Japanese washi paper, so it's thin, colorful, and peels off surfaces cleanly.

How do you customize a sketchbook cover with a child?

Start by protecting your work surface and choosing a clean sketchbook cover. Sketch a simple layout in pencil, then add color with markers and colored pencils. Use washi tape or stickers to create borders and patterns, and stencils for neat shapes or letters. Let the child cut paper shapes with safety scissors to glue on layered designs. Finish by smoothing any glue and, if desired, cover with clear contact paper for durability. Supervise younger children throughout.

What materials do I need to decorate a sketchbook cover?

Gather a plain sketchbook, washable markers, colored pencils, stickers, washi tape, and simple stencils. Include a pencil and eraser for planning, child-safe scissors, a glue stick or double-sided tape, scrap paper for testing colors, and paper towels for quick cleanups. Optional extras are clear contact paper or self-adhesive laminating sheets to protect the finished cover, and small embellishments like washi tape samples or fabric scraps for texture.

What ages is customizing a sketchbook cover suitable for?

This activity suits a wide range: preschoolers (3–5) can place stickers and use thick markers with close adult supervision. Elementary kids (6–9) enjoy layering tape, stenciling, and cutting simple shapes independently. Tweens and teens (10+) can tackle more detailed drawing, collage, or mixed-media designs. Adapt tools and complexity to the child’s skill level and always provide safety scissors and adult help for any tricky cutting or adhesive steps.

What are the benefits, safety tips, and variations for this sketchbook activity?

Decorating a sketchbook builds creativity, planning, and fine motor skills while boosting ownership of art supplies. For safety, use non-toxic, washable markers, child-safe scissors, and supervise glue or small embellishments. Variations: try themed covers (nature, space), mixed-media with fabric or magazine clippings, or create a collaborative family cover. Seal with clear contact paper for longevity, and encourage kids to write their name and a short title for added pride and identity.
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