Tips and Ideas for Scrapbooking for Kids

Do you love the idea of scrapbooking for children but aren’t sure how to start?  Many scrapbookers would love to scrapbook with their kids but are not sure what supplies to offer or how to keep things from getting disorganized or too messy.Should you have some rules or structure to scrapbooking for kids or do you just give them complete access to your scrapbooking supplies?Here are several ideas for scrapbooking for children.

1. Keep scrapbooking for kids fun and relaxed.  Let go of the idea that all pages need to be perfect.  For children, it’s all about the process and working with the materials, not the product or end result.

2. Designate certain materials for your kids to use when scrapbooking.  Scrapbook supplies are expensive, and you may have embellishments or paper you purchased just for a specific album, like Disney World stickers for last summer’s vacation pictures.Your children shouldn’t have complete access to your scrapbooking supplies.  Assemble the papers and materials you would like them to use, and keep them separate from your supplies.

3. Scrapbooking for children should be age appropriate.  This applies specifically to scrapbooking tools.  Your child may be old enough to use scissors, but some of the specially-designed cutting systems for scrapbooking can be too dangerous for young children.Look over your tools carefully and consider which ones are age appropriate specifically for your children.  Carefully explain the safety precautions.  For example, when using an eyelet setter, always use a mat under the paper to protect your work surface.

4. Have photos that interest your children available for scrapbooking.Scrapbooking for kids is much more fun for them when they have photographs of themselves.  Does your daughter love stuffed animals?Allow her to create an entire album with photos of her stuffed animals collection.

5. Use duplicate photos when scrapbooking for children.Then, allow them to use the photo how they would like.  You still have an original for your scrapbooks.

6. Scrapbooking for children should always include journaling.Have your kids print in their own writing.  They should sign and date the page as well.The photos on the layout might be from a different date or event, but by dating and signing the page you can see later how old they were when they created the layout.  You may need to give your children journaling prompts, but for most children, let them express their own thoughts and feelings on the page layout.

7.  Keep scrapbooking supplies for children organized.Store materials for scrapooking in separate containers and have your children keep them sorted and organized for their projects.

8. Show your kids scrapbook techniques.  Again, consider the ages and artistic abilities of your kids.  Simple scrapbooking techniques like paper tearing and matting are easy for most children to learn.  Older children might enjoy rubber stamping or embossing on their page layouts.

Scrapbooking for kids is a fun and exciting hobby for families.  It’s a fantastic opportunity for quality time with your children.  Follow these tips and schedule some time for scrapbooking with your kids today.