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Start a Scrap Book

Start a Scrap Book
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Create a personal scrapbook using paper, glue, scissors, photos, drawings, and found items; arrange pages to tell stories and preserve memories.

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Step-by-step guide to start a scrapbook

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Scrapbooking | Creative Memories Episode 1

What you need
Adult supervision required, colored paper, coloring materials such as markers crayons pencils, found items like tickets leaves stickers, glue stick or liquid glue, photos or printed pictures, plain paper, scissors, stapler or hole punch and ribbon

Step 1

Choose a base for your scrapbook like a blank notebook or a stack of plain paper.

Step 2

Pick a theme or title for your scrapbook that tells what your pages will be about.

Step 3

Gather your photos drawings and found items into one pile.

Step 4

Sort the items into groups by event date or theme to decide the order of your pages.

Step 5

Turn to the first page and lay out the items on the page without glue to plan your design.

Step 6

Trim photos or found items to the sizes you want using scissors with adult supervision.

Step 7

Glue a piece of colored paper to the page as a background if you want one.

Step 8

Glue your photos and found items onto the page following the layout you planned.

Step 9

Use your coloring materials to draw borders decorations or small pictures on the page.

Step 10

Write captions dates or short stories next to each photo so the page tells a memory.

Step 11

Let the page dry completely before you turn to the next page.

Step 12

Repeat steps 5 to 11 for each new page until your scrapbook has all the memories you want.

Step 13

Bind or secure all the pages together with a stapler or by punching holes and tying ribbon.

Step 14

Decorate the cover and write the scrapbook title so it looks special.

Step 15

Share your finished creation on DIY.org

Final steps

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

Complete & Share
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Help!?

What can I use if I don't have a blank notebook, colored paper, glue, scissors, or ribbon?

Use a sturdy cereal box or poster board as the base instead of a blank notebook, torn magazine or wrapping paper instead of colored paper, double-sided tape or glue stick in place of liquid glue, safety cutters or pre-cut photos instead of scissors, and yarn or twine if you don't have ribbon for binding (step 1, step 6, step 12).

My photos move or pages stick together—how do I fix that while making a page?

When items shift after gluing (step 8), use small glue dots or photo corners and press the page flat under a heavy book until it dries (step 9), and put a sheet of wax or baking paper between pages to stop them sticking before you bind (step 12).

How can I change the activity for different ages of children?

For preschoolers, skip trimming (step 6) and give them stickers and pre-cut photos to glue with supervision, for school-age kids add written captions and dates (step 10) and let them trim with adult-supervised scissors, and for teens encourage complex layouts, journaling, and punching holes to tie ribbon (step 12).

What are some ways to make the scrapbook more special or longer-term?

Add pockets for tickets and found items before gluing (step 8), create fold-out pages or mini-books, decorate and laminate the cover (step 13) for durability, and scan or photograph pages to share your finished creation on DIY.org as a digital keepsake.

Watch videos on how to start a scrapbook

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

Scrapbooking | Creative Memories Episode 4

4 Videos

Facts about scrapbooking and memory keeping for kids

♻️ Scrapbooks are perfect for upcycling — ticket stubs, magazine cutouts, and fabric scraps make great decorations.

✂️ Modern scrapbooking became a big hobby industry in the late 20th century, with themed kits, stickers, and special tools.

🧠 Making a scrapbook helps memory: turning events into visual stories and adding captions makes moments easier to remember.

📚 Scrapbooking grew out of 15th-century "commonplace books" where people collected quotes, recipes, and clippings.

📸 The earliest known permanent camera photograph was taken by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1826 — long before digital cameras!

How do I help my child create a personal scrapbook step-by-step?

Start by choosing a scrapbook, binder, or cardstock stack. Gather photos, drawings, and found items like ticket stubs or leaves. Lay out each page before gluing—arrange photos, add captions and dates, and let your child decorate with stickers, markers, or washi tape. Use photo-safe glue and page protectors for preservation. Encourage storytelling by asking questions about each page, supervise cutting and small items, and make the process child-led and fun.

What materials do I need to make a child’s scrapbook?

You’ll need a scrapbook, ring binder, or thick cardstock; colored and plain paper for backgrounds; photo-safe glue or adhesive corners; child-safe scissors; markers, crayons, or colored pencils; photos and drawings; small found items (leaves, tickets, postcards); stickers and washi tape; labels and a ruler. Optional: page protectors, hole punch, corner rounder, and archival pens. Keep tiny items away from very young children and choose acid-free supplies for long-term preservation.

What ages is scrapbooking suitable for children?

Scrapbooking can be adapted for many ages. Toddlers (2–3) can collect and paste large items with supervision. Preschoolers (3–5) enjoy simple layouts and stickers. Early school age (6–9) can cut, arrange photos, and write captions. Tweens and teens (10+) can design themed pages, write longer stories, and experiment with layouts. Always match tools and complexity to the child’s fine motor skills and supervise scissors and small decorations.

What are the benefits of making a scrapbook with my child?

Scrapbooking supports fine motor skills, storytelling, and memory recall while boosting creativity and self-expression. It encourages organization as children sort photos and keepsakes, and builds language when they describe events or write captions. The activity fosters family bonding through shared memories and provides a tangible keepsake that strengthens emotional development and self-esteem. It’s also a screen-free project that can adapt to varied interests, from travel to seasonal themes.
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