Share news for DIY Times
Create a mini DIY newspaper for DIY Times using drawings, short articles, and photos; practice interviewing, editing, layout, and sharing your news.
About this activity
Create a mini DIY newspaper for DIY Times using drawings, short articles, and photos; practice interviewing, editing, layout, and sharing your news.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Pick a fun name and date for your DIY Times and write the masthead at the top of a page
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Step 2
Choose three to five news items you want to include such as a main story a how to a community tip or an event
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Step 3
Write one or two simple interview questions for the main story on a sticky note
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Step 4
Ask a family member or friend your interview questions and write down their short answers
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Step 5
Use your notes to write a clear short article for the main story in one or two paragraphs
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Step 6
Write one short blurb for each extra news item in one or two sentences
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Step 7
Draw a picture or cartoon for each article and add a short caption under each drawing
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Step 8
Choose or take one photo for any article and decide which page it will go on
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Step 9
Sketch a page layout with pencil showing where the masthead headline articles photos and drawings will go
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Step 10
Edit your articles by reading them aloud and fixing any spelling or missing words
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Step 11
Cut out photos drawings and headlines as needed so they fit your layout
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Step 12
Glue or tape your pieces onto the pages following your layout sketch
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Step 13
Fold or staple the pages to make your mini newspaper and add page numbers and a small table of contents
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Step 14
Take a photo of your finished DIY Times and share your creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you create a mini DIY newspaper for DIY Times?
Start by picking a theme or issue and plan sections (front page, interviews, how-tos, photos). Brainstorm story ideas and assign roles: reporter, artist, editor, photographer. Prepare 3–5 simple interview questions, take notes or record answers, then write short articles (2–6 sentences). Add headlines, captions, drawings or photos, and arrange pages in a clear layout. Edit for spelling and clarity, assemble pages (staple or scan into a PDF), and share with family, classmates, or online with perm
What materials do I need to make a DIY Times mini newspaper?
Gather paper (printer or construction), pencils and erasers, colored markers or crayons, ruler, scissors and glue or tape, camera or smartphone for photos, and a stapler or binding clips. Optional: printer/scanner, laptop or tablet with simple layout tools (Word, Canva), sticky notes for editing, and a sample newspaper for inspiration. Also have a notepad for interview questions and a quiet workspace. Adult help is recommended when using scissors, cameras, or online tools.
What ages is creating a mini DIY newspaper suitable for?
This activity suits children about 5–12 years old. Ages 5–7 enjoy drawing, dictating stories, and answering interview prompts with adult support. Ages 8–10 can write short articles, plan layouts, and do basic editing. Older kids (11–12+) can lead interviews, use simple layout software, and act as editors. Adjust complexity and supervision to each child’s reading and fine-motor skills, and mix roles so younger and older kids can collaborate successfully.
What are the benefits of making a mini DIY newspaper for kids?
Creating a mini newspaper strengthens reading, writing, and verbal skills, boosts creativity and confidence, and teaches teamwork, interviewing, and editing. It encourages observation, sequencing, and basic layout thinking, and produces a shareable project that promotes pride in work. For safety and responsibility, teach children to get permission before using others’ photos or quotes, avoid sharing personal details online, and review all content together before distribution.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
I don't have sticky notes or a camera — what can I use instead for the interview questions and photo step?
Write your interview questions on a scrap of paper or in a notes app instead of a sticky note, and for the 'choose or take one photo' step either use a phone camera, print an online image, or draw a picture to place on the page.
My pages look crowded and the photos are too big — how can I fix the layout without starting over?
Follow the 'sketch a page layout with pencil' step before gluing, then 'cut out photos, drawings and headlines as needed so they fit your layout' and shorten blurbs or the main article to one paragraph to make everything fit.
How can I adapt this DIY Times project for younger or older children?
For younger kids, pick 1–2 news items, let a parent write answers from the sticky note and use crayons and stickers for drawings, while older kids can add extra interview questions, expand the main story to two paragraphs, and design a digital layout before assembling.
What are simple ways to personalize or extend our mini newspaper after it's finished?
Personalize by designing a unique masthead, adding a crossword or 'community tip' sidebar, recording the interview and linking it with a QR code on the page, and then 'take a photo of your finished DIY Times and share your creation on DIY.org'.