These Hand Bound Mini Journals are such a fun creative activity to get kids writing this summer. It is a fun kids activity that a group of kids of all ages will love. If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all our summer crafts and activities ideas to keep kids active and entertained this summer! The best craft bloggers are sharing fun kids crafts! Gather some kids and create this juggling chickens game or try creating this summer finger painting idea. Be sure to keep checking back and you will find fun creative ideas that inspire and encourage imaginative play this summer!
Hello, I’m Emily from The Benson Street. I am so excited to be here sharing a fun summer craft for kids (and adults). Summer is a time to have fun and get out, enjoy a good book and make some memories.
Don’t let the kids forget all these great memories. Help them to create their own hand bound mini journals. Keep track of reading, bucket lists, and even photos in the adorable journals that don’t take much effort to whip up.
What you will need:
- 1 piece of cardstock paper cut to journal size (for the cover so pick out something cute)
- 6 to 10 sheets graph paper, lined paper or plain white computer paper cut to journal size (for the journal pages)
- waxed thread (find it at craft stores or even Walmart)
- a larger needle
1. To begin determine the book size. For an Instagram style photo book cut out covers and pages to 10 inches by 5 inches. For a smaller journal cut out a cover and pages to 6 inches by 4 inches. Fold the cover and pages in half and hold together like a book.
2. Poke four holes (with the needle) through the cover and journal pages like the top right photo above.
3. Start by threading needle, but do not tie it off at the end like you would for a sewing project.
4. Insert needle into the second hole going from left to right. Pull almost all the way through leaving a small tail for tying off at the end of the binding process.
5. On the outside cover insert the needle into the third hole and pull all the way through.
6. It should look like photo four above.
7.Insert needle in the fourth hole on the inside of the book and pull all the way through.
8. So far the inside should look like photo six.
9. Insert needle in the third hole on the outside and pull through and tight.
10.Insert the needle in the second hole on the inside and pull through and tight.
11.Insert needle in the first hole on the outside and pull all the way through.
12. The outside of the journal should all have one binding in between the holes.
13. Insert needle into the second hole on the inside and pull through until tight.
14. Insert needle into the third hole on the outside and pull through until tight.
15. Insert needle into the fourth hole on the inside and pull through until tight.
16. Insert needle into the third hole on the outside and pull through until tight.
17.Insert needle into the second hole on the inside and pull through until tight.
18. Insert needle into the first hole on the outside and pull through until tight.
19. Tie off the beginning tail and the excess thread into a knot.
20.Tie a double knot and trim of the ends. Be sure the inside of the binding matches this photo.
21. All done, inspect your outside binding as well. Leave closed journals under a heavy item to help them stay closed.
Now it is time to start making memories. Create journals for trips, summer reading, lists and more.
Make different sizes for different purposes. Create a 5 inch by 5 inch book (the pink one) and print off 4 inch by 4 inch Instagram photos to make an album. Have fun embellishing with washi tape and adding notes about the photos.
What a fun way to store cute photos!
Find scrapbook paper that fits the purpose of your mini journal. My “adventure” mini journal is to record all my fun summer travels.
Don’t forget summer reading lists. Keep track of books to read, notes about what you are reading and check off any books you’ve read during the summer. This is perfect for kids to track their progress.
I am in love with these adorable mini journals and I hope you are too.
If you loved this idea, I’m sure you will love these:
Hey, I’m Emily. I am a wife to an amazing, crazy, and fun husband who keeps me on my toes. I love to craft, celebrate, cook, thrift, read, shop, and decorate. I enjoy working on projects and finding ways to share them. I hope you enjoy my simple ideas and are inspired to create along with me. When I’m not blogging, I’m normally reading a good book or out shopping.
Thanks so much for this great tutorial! I am planning to make journals for my summer school students, so this timing couldn’t have been better. I love the idea of kids journaling during their summer vacations! What a fun way to keep writing!
These are so cute and what a great way to keep kids writing through the summer! I’m sure they will also be a lot of fun to read 10-20 years down the road 😉