Scrapbooks are a fun, creative way to display treasured memories for years to come. When you have children, scrapbooks become that much more meaningful -and difficult- to create. That’s why I’ve compiled my list of tips for creating a stress-free scrapbook that can be done with kids!
Use Standard Page Sizes
I might get some flack for this from the true scrapbookers out there, but hear me out. My first tip for scrapbooking is to use standard 8.5×11 paper that will fit into page protectors in a regular 3-ring binder. I do this for several reasons. First of all, it cuts the cost of scrapbooking supplies in half, and is that much less heartbreaking when something *accidentally* gets destroyed by kids. It’s also a lot easier to store standard-size binders both on book shelves and in drawers than it is to haul around a huge square scrapbook in my experience.
Invest in Scrapbook Scissors
By using scrapbook scissors you can change up the edges of photos, written blurbs, or old cards. The best part is, they’re relatively cheap and easy for kids to use! Bonus points if you preoccupy the kiddos with cutting up scrap paper in fancy ways while you focus on the more intricate details.
Buy a Few Nice Pens for Scrapbooking
Pens are my favorite tool, both for scrapbooking and journaling. I simply cannot say enough good things about a solid Micron pen. My favorite size to use is 08, but some people prefer a skinnier or more bold look. Head down to your local art store where you can find the style that suits you. A great way to have your child’s handwriting incorporated into your scrapbook is to have them write in pencil before you trace over it in pen. Side note: you may want to get the kids their own set of washable markers they can use!
Put Glitter to Work
We all know the trials and tribulations of having glitter in a houseful of kids. I like to gather up all the glitter and make a mixture of equal parts glue and glitter to be used for scrapbooking. Stir well and let the children paint it onto the scrapbook pages to add a nice glittery touch without the mess of loose glitter. If you are lucky enough to not have glitter floating around your house, you can always opt for pre-made glitter glue to add a touch of sparkle!
Invest in Cute Stickers
To add that final touch, I like to add some cute stickers or other scrapbooking supplies to easily make my pages look cohesive and cute. The best part is, you don’t have to be a designer to make it look nice! I’ve found that the less symmetrical the placement is, the better. Therefore, I usually let my kids add the stickers to the corners of pictures to finish up each page. They get to play with stickers while I quietly clean up the rest of the supplies. I call that a win-win!
I hope you’ll try out these scrapbooking tips with your family!
xoxo,
Michaela Rae
V. Studio 