Mini-Journal Adventure Books

crayola supplies

Crayons
Colored Pencils
Markers
Blunt-Tip Scissors
Construction Paper

household supplies

none

Why

Create a travel journal, make a doodle book, or write a story about yourself! All you need is paper and scissors to create your own 8-page mini book.

Steps

1. What do you think of when you see a blank piece of paper? A story yet to be written? A drawing of a cool motorcycle? These mini books are the perfect place to draw and write about your travel adventures, family stories, favorite things, and best memories.
2. Begin with an 18- x 12-inch (45.7 x 30.4 cm) or larger paper. Fold paper in half, bringing long edges together. Crease well, and then unfold.
3. Fold paper in half, bringing short edges together. Crease well. DO NOT UNFOLD. Fold the folded paper in half bringing the folded edge to the open edges. Crease well and unfold only this last fold.
4. Starting at the center of the folded edge, along the fold line, cut through the paper to the intersection of the two perpendicular fold lines. Unfold the paper. Fold the paper in half, bringing long edges together.
5. Hold the short ends, one in each hand. Push them together so the two halves of the paper separate in the middle section. (You can peek through them!) Keep pushing them together so the fold lines all gather in the center. Grab the pages and form them into a book.
6. Try This! Make an Easy Fold Pocket Book! Before the last step (hold the short ends together) fold up 2 inches (5cm) of each long open bottom edge and crease well. Then complete the final step.
7. Decorate the cover. Write about your travels or adventures inside using Crayola Colored Pencils, Markers, or Crayons. Illustrate your book.

When & Where

"Our children make garden journals in the spring to record the progress of the plants they grow from seed. They especially love to watch bees pollinate the flowers and capture what they see in colored pencil drawings. "
- Terri D., homeschool parent of ages 10 and 7.

"When our 5th grade picnic was rained out, the children designed their own autograph books. They gathered signatures and doodles from their classmates and teachers. "
- Carrie B. and Jodi J., PTA leaders.

Interesting Info

Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park, is bigger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined.

Safety Guidelines

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.