Scrapbooking is one of those hobbies that manages to be creative, affordable, and full of nostalgia—which makes it a great project to tackle with your kids. If you’re anything like me, you probably have a pile of school papers, photos, and random ticket stubs waiting for a purpose.
Ok, if you’re really like me, you have a few dozen really awesome scrapbooks from BEFORE you had kids, and then that pile of stuff waiting for a purpose that never became a scrapbook because KIDS TAKE UP A LOT OF TIME. Right??
No judgement.
But I’m here to inspire you to not let yourself become me! Whether you’re coming off a family trip, a school play, or just finished the soccer season, making a scrapbook together is a hands-on way to preserve memories and spend some actual quality time together. And do it NOW, before it becomes part of “the pile”.
1. Celebrate Milestones
Big moments deserve more than a spot in your camera roll. Scrapbooks give your kids a chance to revisit those “firsts” in a way that’s both creative and tangible.
Print a few photos. Add stickers, captions, or little keepsakes like ribbons or ticket stubs. Let them write in their own words what they remember most. That mix of visuals and personal touch makes the page feel extra special!
2. Create Quality Time (That Isn’t Screen Time)
Scrapbooking gives everyone a role. Sorting photos, gluing papers, picking colors—these are all things even little ones can help with. You don’t need to plan an elaborate activity. Just pull out some paper, markers, glue, and the bin of saved memories you’ve been meaning to sort. You know the one.
It’s also a fun way to revisit past family adventures! Pick a vacation or holiday and create a dedicated page for it. For instance, many people follow guides to create a Disney scrapbook full of photos around the park and signatures from the cast and characters. I’m going to do mine someday, but I did do that Mickey Mouse Photo Board a while back.
3. Encourage Their Creativity
Scrapbooking lets kids explore design in a way that doesn’t come with rules. They can choose themes, mix colors, cut shapes, and try out different layouts.
Want to keep it simple? Have them draw a background or create their own caption bubbles. Want to make it feel a little more polished? Use templates or printables to help guide the layout while still giving them space to make it their own.
4. Give New Life to Keepsakes
Instead of keeping all those little mementos in a drawer, give them a place in the scrapbook. Ticket stubs, drawings, notes from grandparents, pressed flowers—all of it adds personality to the pages.
You can even turn it into a scavenger hunt of sorts. Ask your kids to find things around the house they want to remember or that remind them of something special.
5. Build Confidence and Storytelling Skills
Helping your kids choose photos, write captions, and decide what story they want to tell through their pages builds more than just a memory book. It builds their voice.
Younger kids can start with drawing or short sentences, while older ones might enjoy writing out memories or adding quotes. It becomes their version of a family story.
Make It Easy and Fun
You don’t need fancy tools. A basic scrapbook, glue sticks, some markers, and a few printouts can go a long way. Or you can level up with a cutting machine and themed printables.
Want to make it even easier? Create a DIY scrapbook kit with everything your child needs for one or two pages. These also make sweet birthday or holiday gifts for cousins or friends.
