Got a pile of old books gathering dust, or a tatty paperback nobody’s going to read again? Before it heads to the recycling bin, why not turn it into something new? These four fun book crafts for kids are a lovely way to spend a rainy afternoon together, and they’re a great way to give an old book a second life.
#1. Make Heart Strings
This lovely project comes from Dottieangel: make pretty hanging strings of hearts cut out from the pages of an old book.
As well as the book, you’ll need scissors, sewing thread, wrapping paper and tape.
It’s a simple, satisfying craft, and the hearts look gorgeous strung up in a window or across a room.
#2. Create Bookmarks and Tags
We love this idea from Vakuoli, who takes old books and dictionaries destined for recycling and turns their pages into bookmarks and gift tags.
Once you’ve cut a template or two out of cardboard, you can use them to draw around and cut shapes from the old pages — perfect for making a batch of different sized tags or bookmarks.
#3. Make Paper Pinwheels
This nice project from Better Homes & Gardens shows you how to make paper pinwheels from an old book. They originally used them to decorate cupcakes for a book-themed party, but they’re just as fun as a craft in their own right.
You’ll need an old book, some pins, a pair of pliers and some sticks to mount your pinwheels on.
#4. Make Googly-Eyed Bookmarks
Try our own MyKidsTime project and make some googly-eyed bookmarks!
You’ll need some coloured card or construction paper, scissors, a ruler, glue, and a pen and pencil.
You could use craft googly eyes instead of drawing them on, but we love that drawing them lets each child make their bookmark’s expression completely their own.
Did you try one of these book-y projects? We’d love to hear how you got on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age are these book crafts suitable for?
Most of these crafts work well for primary school-aged children, especially with an adult helping with cutting or pinning. Younger children will enjoy the bookmarks and tags, while heart strings and pinwheels are great for kids who are comfortable using scissors independently.
Do I need a special kind of book?
No — any old book, paperback or dictionary that’s no longer needed works well. Books with thinner pages are often easiest to cut and fold.
What materials do I need to get started?
It varies by craft, but between the four projects you’ll need basics like scissors, glue, cardboard, sewing thread, wrapping paper, tape, pins, pliers and some sticks — all things many families already have at home.
Can these crafts be done in a single sitting?
Yes, each of these is a short, self-contained project, making them ideal for an afternoon activity or a rainy day at home.
More Craft Ideas You’ll Love
Looking for more ways to keep little hands busy? Explore our other simple craft projects for kids, packed with easy ideas using things you probably already have around the house.
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