Got a stack of old books or tatty paperbacks gathering dust? Don’t recycle them just yet. With a little imagination, those pages can become something new and fun to make with your kids. Here are 4 fun book crafts for kids that turn old books into pretty, playful projects — perfect for a rainy afternoon or a book-themed party.
#1. Make Heart Strings
This lovely project uses pages from an old book to cut out sets of hearts, which you then string together to make a pretty garland.
As well as the book, you’ll need scissors, sewing thread, wrapping paper and tape.
It’s a simple, satisfying craft that works well for younger kids with a little help, and older kids can manage most of it independently. The finished heart strings look lovely hung across a bedroom window or along a shelf.
#2. Create Bookmarks and Tags
We love this idea for turning old books and dictionaries into bookmarks and gift tags instead of sending them for recycling.
Start by cutting a simple template or two out of cardboard — a rectangle, a tag shape, whatever you like. Then use the templates to draw around and cut shapes from the old book pages, giving you a set of one-of-a-kind bookmarks or tags.
It’s a great way to use up pages that are torn or missing from otherwise unreadable books, and kids enjoy picking out pages with interesting words or pictures.
#3. Make Paper Pinwheels
This is a nice project for turning book pages into paper pinwheels. They’re great fun to make and look brilliant stuck on top of cupcakes for a book-themed party, or simply pinned to sticks and popped in a plant pot or garden bed.
You’ll need an old book, some pins, a pair of pliers and some sticks to pin your finished wheels onto.
This one is best tackled with an adult helping, as it involves pins and a bit of fiddly folding — but the results are well worth it.
#4. Make Google Eyed Bookmarks
Try our own MyKidsTime project to make some Google 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 this way, every child’s bookmark ends up with its own unique face and personality.
More Craft Fun
Did you try one of these book-y projects? We’d love to hear how you got on — pop a comment below and let us know which one was your favourite.
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